Writing feels like more like a chore right now

celticroots · Aug 25, 2009

Writing feels more like a chore at the moment

I love to write, but recently writing has started to feel more like a chore. I can't imagine not writing, though. It may be this way because I have no set direction; I just write whatever comes to mind. If I don't, the idea will hang around until I feel that I'll explode if I don't write it down.

Has writing ever started to feel like a chore to any of you guys? If so, what helped you get out of that state? ANY suggestions would be appreciated!

Wayne K · Aug 25, 2009

I've never felt that way--I think it's because my MC always has a goal, his goals are my goals, so I like the journey. You need to map something from beginning to end, and take the ride. It's a lot of work, but the finished manuscript is one iof my fondest memories.

scarletpeaches · Aug 25, 2009

Sometimes I get tired. It takes more work than usual. A chore? Maybe. Not quite sure I'd describe it that way. Maybe my brain just isn't working as well as it could. A combination of hormones and migraine meds and bad moods and just not being in the zone.

What helps me get over it? Time. But meanwhile, I still write, otherwise I'd feel like I was wasting the time I spent in the 'blahs'. At least give yourself something to edit when you're over it.

sunandshadow · Aug 25, 2009

Writing does feel like a chore to me, and has for years. Pertly due to lack of clear inspiration, and partly due to lack of confidence that there is an audience waiting to love my stories.

Gemnyc · Aug 25, 2009

Initial writing a chore? No. But editing, definitely.

scarletpeaches said:
What helps me get over it? Time.

And I whole heartedly agree with Time as a cure. Putting something away for a few weeks and taking a break - read something else, or do something else creative completely unrelated to writing (I have watched movies, visited museums and redecorated my bedroom between edits). You'll come back refreshed and hopefully with perspective, ideas and tons more enthusiasm.
Good luck

Libbie · Aug 25, 2009

Yeah, at times it can be a real drag. When it starts to feel like a chore to me, I take a cue from Mary Poppins: "Find the fun, and snap! The job's a game."

Find some challenge in your writing that will make the chore-like parts more exciting for you. Do you want to try out a new voice? Write some type of scene you've never tried before? Spend an hour doing nothing but world-building exposition? It's all fair game. There is no rule that everything you write has to be good, so give yourself permission to play around and doodle with words. Make it fun again.

Then get back to work.

scarletpeaches · Aug 25, 2009

Gemnyc said:
Initial writing a chore? No. But editing, definitely.

And I whole heartedly agree with Time as a cure. Putting something away for a few weeks and taking a break - read something else, or do something else creative completely unrelated to writing (I have watched movies, visited museums and redecorated my bedroom between edits). You'll come back refreshed and hopefully with perspective, ideas and tons more enthusiasm.
Good luck

Funny how we look at 'time as a cure' in completely different ways.

Editing is a joy to me, because I know the job's almost done. And it doesn't take long at all. Plus, it's a piece of piss.

When I say time's a pretty good cure, what I mean is, the 'chores' feeling passes. I don't stop writing until it does - I write through it. But I remind myself "It'll pass. You'll get over it."

I don't stop writing, even when the joy leaves, because I know it'll return - in time. But if I abandon the muse just because times get tough, she'll have no incentive to return to me.

The Lonely One · Aug 25, 2009

I think it could be fatigue, like others are saying.

I also would take a serious look at why you write, if you're having an equally serious issue with it.

If your desire to write is overcome time and time again by non-writing, perhaps it is time to find the thing you are most passionate about and do that. Writing takes up an inordinate amount of time and is a lonely, unforgiving, thankless misery to anyone whose calling is elsewhere.

But you've also said here that you can't imagine not writing. Is that because you're used to it, or because you just NEED to write? If you need to write, or in less definite terms your life seems to always lead back to the pen (keyboard), then I would suggest this is more likely creative fatigue.

cptwentworth · Aug 25, 2009

I haven't written anything since February when my trial version of MS Word expired and I'm too broke to buy it. You can't fit much on NotePad. It doesn't feel like a chore presently when I would love to get something done. I have completely revised my WIP in my head, though, and can't wait until I can open the file again.

scarletpeaches · Aug 25, 2009

Download OpenOffice then. Personally, I think it's wank, but others like it.

Unless you have your book saved as a MS Word 2007 file?

thethinker42 · Aug 25, 2009

When writing feels like a chore, I work on query letters. Then I remember how much I hate, loathe, despise, curse, and otherwise dislike writing query letters, and go back to writing. Does wonders for my enthusiasm...

scarletpeaches · Aug 25, 2009

...and when she gets really hacked off at the world, she spends hours on MSN nagging me, which does bugger all for her creativity but makes her feel good, apparently.

Bitch.

thethinker42 · Aug 25, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
...and when she gets really hacked off at the world, she spends hours on MSN nagging me, which does bugger all for her creativity but makes her feel good, apparently.

Bitch.

Actually it does great things for my creativity.

Thanks!

scarletpeaches · Aug 25, 2009

Pleasure.

Aschenbach · Aug 25, 2009

I often find writing to be a chore or a struggle (and trying to get published even more so). I have always been envious/suspicous of people who claim to be filled with ecstatic joy whenever they write.

Me, I always focus on the deficiencies of my writing rather than the strengths. I am a natural pessimist. That doesn't hurt my motivation in any way, in fact it is a good source of drive. I am continually writing and editing and submitting.

Nothing wrong with a bit of struggle. Everyone wants to be happy all the time these days - bleh! A fleeting moment of grim satisfaction once a month is all anyone needs

The Lonely One · Aug 25, 2009

Well, on the flip side, someone can certainly find writing a chore and, despite themselves, churn out something that gets published and attaches meaning to someone else's life. Doesn't matter if the writer found making it unenjoyable in some way. The reader might love it despite this (or more realistically, not knowing this).

Feeling dejected doesn't neglect the ability of one's art to be artful.

bearilou · Aug 26, 2009

Libbie said:
There is no rule that everything you write has to be good, so give yourself permission to play around and doodle with words. Make it fun again.

Then get back to work.

I forget this, so it's nice to be reminded of it every so often. Especially when it comes to first drafts.

I echo scarletpeaches on OpenOffice.org. I am not overly fond of it (I do prefer my MS Word, thankyouverymuch) but it has been a lifesaver of an alternate on a laptop that doesn't have MS Word. Much preferable to WordPad.

S.C. Denton · Aug 26, 2009

I'm of the opinion that a little downtime recharges your creative batteries; and also think that to step outside of your comfortable realm and do something totally different can be helpful.

Sometimes a simple change in mediums can reignite your creative flame. If you use a word program daily, ditch it, and break out the pad and pencil; or a typewriter.

It's different. For me, at least, story progresses in a completely different manner depending on the medium.

Buy a digital recorder and get out of the house. Go somewhere where you'll be forced to become quietly contemplative, and eventually you won't be able to resist thinking of your fiction.

Wark · Aug 26, 2009

I like outlining or thinking about future WIPs, not knowing how to finish them, or often not even a plot to attach to a character or premise.

Then I trudge back to my WIP.

Ellefire · Aug 26, 2009

I complained to my dad the other week that I felt tired, uninspired and blocked. He suggested that if writing was so hard, maybe I should give it up. I was aghast! Give up writing? I've always written! Maybe I should have pointed out to him that he didn't give up learning the guitar when his fingers were raw and the chords seemed impossible (although I did).

I went back to my older works, stuff I'd half finished and re-read it. Most of it was pretty good, so I went on to finish a WIP that I'd started for nano. Then I found myself blocked again, so I went to a fake ID generator, gathered a bunch of characters together and then brainstormed what would bring this disparate group together. The phrase 'friends of the deceased' inspired a whole new plot, which I may or may not write, but it was fun playing with.

Ken · Aug 26, 2009

... sometimes writing feels like a chore. But for me I usual disregard stupid 'feelings' of the sort and get to task, anyway. Feelings can be a nuisance, but I'll be d*nged if I'm going to let them derail me from what I need to do.

seun · Aug 26, 2009

Writing is work and it can be hard work. The only way through that I know of is to keep writing.

DMarie84 · Aug 26, 2009

It can feel like a chore sometimes. I find that it's inital kick-start that's the hardest for me. I take forever to actually start writing but once I do, it's hard for me to stop.

Normally I can break myself of the "chore" aspect by listening to music I find inspirational for the story or I work on outlines and such to get me in the frame of mind.

kidcharlemagne · Aug 30, 2009

Interesting post celtic. I've been using the same word myself recently although until very recently my main writing activity has been screenwriting. Interestingly, writing started to become a chore after I started getting paid for it. Ironic, huh? I was commissioned to write an adaptation 2.5 years ago and after successfully completing the script more commissions ensued. I'm on my 3rd commission right now with offers to write 2 more but I recently pushed one of them back. On top of my day job it was getting too much.

It's nice to get the money: it's good for the confidence, since I can tell people I am a professional writer (although it is not my sole means of income) and it looks good on the CV, but, even though I have enjoyed writing the projects, I realize there is a difference between writing projects based on your own ideas and projects based on the ideas of others.

I'm also getting somewhat tired of the screenplay format and the whole process of trying to get projects into production. I'm looking forward to clearing my table of the current script commissions and developing my own projects which are tending towards short stories/novels rather than scripts. I started writing a short story the other day and I really enjoyed the process--it definitely didn't feel like a chore!

NeuroFizz · Aug 30, 2009

There is no "feeling-like" about it. Writing is a chore (among other things and certainly not always). For some people, taking a break is just postponing the need to realize the only way to get through some difficulties is to work and sweat through them.

If one wants to drink milk, it's sometimes necessary to walk past the refrigerator and to roll up one's sleeves, grab the bucket and stool, and just pullsqueeze the teats of the beast.

Writing feels like more like a chore right now

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