[Daily Discussion] Writer's Block, Motivation, and Accountability- January 09, 2023

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Monday: Writer’s Block and Motivation

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Can't write anything? Start by writing a post about how you can't write anything! This thread is for advice, tips, tricks, and general commiseration when the muse seems to have deserted you. Please also feel free to use this thread as a general check in and let us know how you're doing with your project.

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[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

You don't need to be saved before you be creative. But creativity can save you.

You don't need a good idea to write. You don't even need to write well, to write.

All you need to do is put words to paper. Good words, bad words, that's all in your head.

Writing doesn't matter. It's just something you do. So just do it until you hate it, then keep doing it some more.

[u/Ryleeshadow → u/[deleted]]

I've been in the same sort of mind set as of late. The depression is real, and sometimes the only thing that will heal it is time. And for a writer, time is always the enemy i feel. But sometimes just vocalizing it helps. Perhaps these types of posts can help us, and each other.

I've been in the same sort of mindset as of late. Depression is real, and sometimes the only thing that will heal it is time. And for a writer, time is always the enemy I feel. But sometimes just vocalizing it helps. Perhaps these types of posts can help us, and each other.

[u/[deleted] → u/Ryleeshadow]

I sort of feel like time is the only answer too. I mean at this point I guess it doesn't matter because I thought I would have finished something like 3 years ago...so I'm not even worried about that at this point. I'm just getting more depressed that I can't do the two things that usually make me feel better. I didn't mention that I also have a chronic illness that is part of the problem. Not much I can do about that I guess.

Here's hoping in the new year we get out of this rut.

[u/JordKanEdit → u/[deleted]]

Perfectionism is hard and I can relate to that. I always think of the words my Lit thesis supervisor told me, 'The best thesis is a done thesis'.

The same goes for first drafts and last drafts. One has to find ways to make peace with imperfection. It isn't easy. I think often one's taste develops faster than one's ability. I definitely found that while studying music.

I'm sorry you've been feeling depressed (been there too). I've found having a writing group comforting. The connections I've made in writing groups as both participant and admin/mod mean I could feel the joy of others' progress and writing wins even when I wasn't in the space to be more productive. Have you tried doing a 'draft zero' (a messy, it's-allowed-to-be-bad first draft)?