May. 30, 2005 - Writing Cycles

In A Writer’s Book of Days, author Judy Reeves talks about the two cycles authors go through – a productive time, and a fallow time. “You may notice that sometimes, no matter what, the writing is difficult,” she writes. “When you put pen to page nothing happens. Or that which happens is boring. Or junk. The words are clumsy and get in each other’s way like the sneakered feet of a thirteen-year-old.”

I don’t know how many of you have experienced this with your writing (those of us who write professionally probably tend to notice it more than those who write solely for fun), but it definitely happens to me! Some days I can be 100% ready and rarin’ to go on a subject, easily typing up two hours worth of usable material. Then there are times when I’m writing about the same subject and I can’t pen a single meaningful sentence! I can be absolutely in love with writing and the words flow from my mind in an effortless stream. Two days later, even looking at my computer turns me off!  

Thankfully, I’ve learned to recognize these cycles and take advantage of them. Whenever I get that “I-can’t-even-think-about-writing!” feeling, I spend my time researching subjects I’m covering or reading the work of an author I admire. I’m still exercising my writing skills, but in a different way. And more often than not, a piece of research or a sentence by a good author will provide just the right amount of inspiration to help me shift back to productive writing again.

So next time you’re brought to tears of frustration by a case of so-called “writer’s block,” just think of it as your dormant season. Grow as an author through other methods, rather than worrying about your writing. And hope that your deadline isn’t right around the corner!