Writing is like a muscle.

I know that’s not news to anyone. It’s not news to me either but foolishly I somehow always think it won’t apply to me. It’s like taking a week off from the gym, first session back and it’s like you’ve never been before. Well I’ve taken *cough* … well put it this way since the start of June I’ve written no more than 20k, that’s encompassing nearly four months *gulp* oops.

This week I did some overdue reflecting, planning and other mental housecleaning. I also did some physical housecleaning. I set myself up a flexible schedule and goals because I have been epic failing at accomplishing anything for ages. One of those goals was to write 1000 words a day. Easy I thought, it’ll take me half an hour I thought *snorts* yeah no, that’s not happening.

This time last year I would have been right but these days? I scraped 356 words in the end and it took probably more like an hour. I couldn’t believe it when I hit recount. Seriously there should have been more words than that!

Anyway, at least there is the maxim “slow and steady wins the race”. If I keep up with a goal of 500 words a day, I won’t get anything done very quickly but at least things will get done eventually. Plus practice does tend to improve matters so hopefully the amount will increase in time, just as it did before.

rowofstars replied to your post “Writing is like a muscle. I know that’s not news to anyone. It’s not…”

This was me earlier this year. I felt like I couldn’t get anything out, every word was a struggle. All I did was try to keep writing. Every day, even if I just stared at a blank document and thought about what I’d write.

You will get there. Yes, it’s a habit, but it’s also a mindset and I think when we get a little bit blocked, we compound it and make it worse. So write anything. Even if it’s 356 words across 3 fics. Even if you just tweak one sentence you already wrote.

I totally agree! I haven’t definitely compounded my block, so much so I think I have several blocks – I built a damn wall. Not intentionally but shit happens. Anyway, I’m going to try super hard. Blasting the block hasn’t worked, so I’ll try your suggestion and chip away at it instead.

Thank you so much for your kind words *hugs* and may I say how pleased and grateful I am that you overcame the block. I know I’m super behind on reading but one day (maybe this weekend) I’m totally going to have a fic-day and read until my eyes bleed. I just love your fic and I’m so annoyed with myself that I haven’t got to it yet, although on the other hand, it is kinda like saving up all the cake and goodies for a big blowout one day 🙂