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bamyersauthor · 5 years

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Avoiding Writer Burnout

We've all been there. You get really excited about a project, write to it non-stop, then somehow days, weeks, or even months go by and you realize you've lost passion and enthusiasm for your work. And you've worked so HARD on it.

I get it. It recently happened to me.

Here are a few tips that have helped me get through rough patches so you can avoid that dreaded Writer Burnout.

No. 1: Take Breaks. This is a BIG one. I don't know about you, but when I get going on a writing project, breaks aren't automatically on my mind when I sit down at the computer. My goal tends to be: WRITE. This isn't a healthy way to look at writing which is why I suggest routinely taking breaks while working during long stretches. I find getting up after a scene or halfway between a chapter to do something else (even just to refill my water or grab a matcha latte), is enough to give my brain (and eyes) a break from staring at the computer screen for too long. It's good for you, and I promise you, your story is still going to be there when you get back.

If it helps, set a timer on your phone to go off every hour to remind you to stand up, stretch, crack your neck, and get your butt out of that chair, even if it's only for a minute. I realize many of you fiercely protect your writing time, but I have found more frequent breaks actually makes me MORE productive. Try it out. Your body will thank you. And refuel on that caffeine while you're at it.

No 2: Take Notes. Lots and LOTS of Notes. When I really get into a project, I have everything in my head lined up perfectly. I will take some notes, but I often find not enough. This can be an issue later when I might be returning to a project after a few days break or months. So do yourself a favor and take plenty of notes in the beginning. Heck, I wholeheartedly encourage you to sit down at your computer or with a pen and notebook and writewritewrite about everything you can think of about your story. Character details, bits of dialogue, world-building questions, plot possibilities. EVERYTHING.

I keep a separate notebook for each writing project I have, often several notebooks as ideas grow. This helps me stay organized, and I'm easily able to access and refresh my knowledge of worlds and plots when I'm been away or consumed in another story for X amount of time. If you're like me and enjoy discussing your ideas with others, and/or just find better flow with speaking out loud (hey, whatever helps!), I recommend getting a digital recorder. I bought one of these beauties a few months back after Susan Dennard did a newsletter covering diction (HERE--You should check her site out if you haven't already. Amazing author and invaluable writing resources). I haven't looked back when it comes to note-taking. It has encouraged ideas to flow easily, and the handy part is you can replay hours of discussion and take notes after. I often have even more ideas during my times listening to conversations. I highly recommend this method if you find it hard to take notes without cramping your brain flow. I also utilize the Notes app on my phone. Smartnote and Evernote are two great options if you'd like to sync content between devices. Especially when an idea hits you as you’re falling asleep. :P

No. 3: Try writing somewhere different. Okay, I'm not as great with this one. I have my nice cozy office that is set up for my writing needs. I struggle to write outside of this writer haven because it's so dang perfect. But it helps reduce distractions if you write outside your comfort zone, even if this is only venturing as far as your patio and getting some fresh air while you log your word count (I hear it's spring in other non-desert states :P). I'm not telling you to get crazy here, just to try something different to break the repetitive cycle that can lead to stress and the dreaded burnout. This can be your local library, coffee shop, or even a park. If you're really prone to distractions ala the internet, you might even want to venture to places without wi-fi. (Gasp! I know, I said it. I'm evil.) The point is to change things up frequently enough to trick your brain into being productive when it might not want to be. Added bonus: you get to people-watch when you leave your home and write somewhere different.

No. 4: Read a book. If you're really having a hard time sticking to your project, books can help with the solution. I like to pick titles that are similar to what I might be currently writing (epic fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi, you get it). This helps me two-fold: by letting me familiarize myself with what's in the current market for the type of book I am writing and what content/plots already exist, and as means for inspiration. I don't know about you, but when I read a really good book that unexpectedly sweeps me away (Hello, Victoria Schwab), I get riled up and inspired to WRITE. I mean, we all started out writing because we loved books. We wouldn't be pursuing our hobbies or dreams of improving our craft if we didn't, ammiright? Books are an amazing outlet of escape. They always help calm my stress, give my brain a break from my own work (see this recurring theme?), and remind me that what I'm striving toward (getting traditionally published), is possible, because right there in my hands is an author who has been through it all (and possibly more) than I have with writing. Like I said, inspiring.

No. 5: Schedule writing time. Write for one hour a day during a certain time each day. Or make it two hours. Just set yourself the task of chipping away at your manuscript without overdoing it. I started doing this when I read an article on Sarah Dessen (bestselling author or YA contemporary titles like The Truth About Forever and Saint Anything). She writes from 3-5pm every single day. Breaking it up gives you time to split the rest of your day doing things you love or need to (like work, dinner, caring for kids, adulting). But slotting your writing time helps create balance which is really what you should strive for in an effective and productive writing routine. Here's the article if you're curious about how Dessen has written 13 successful novels with a 14th on the way this June.

No. 6: Take a longer break. Now, sometimes no matter what you do, the words just won't flow and you are miserable working on your current WIP. In this case, might I suggest you step away for a bit. By this I mean, take a mini vacation from writing. Now before you harp me for suggesting not to write when common advice is to sit your butt down and just write anyway, hear me out: it's okay not to be writing. Let me put it this way, you're a writer even if you're not writing every single day. You're a writer if all you can manage is 100 words in a day, a week, a month. The point is, your life shouldn't be only about writing. Life is about balance, and if you overextend yourself or do too much you will burn out. Trust me on this one. So before you hurl your computer/notebook/current WIP across the room or out the window, remind yourself you can step away. I have taken writer hiatuses as long as six weeks for various reasons--re-outlining, stress, life crises, and to avoid scrapping an idea. There is no set amount of time to take off. Find what works for you. I often find that I get an itch, for lack of a better word, and I want to write again. It could be only one day or three, or more, months. Take as long as you need. Your story will be waiting for you when you return. I promise.

No. 7: Whatever you do, DO NOT give up.. Take the break if you need to, but make sure you come back to it. I don't know how to reiterate this enough. If you let yourself give up on your project you will never finish it and it will hang over your head. It's easy to tuck that WIP away when the going gets tough--I've done it, we ALL have--but make sure you return to it and see it through. I really like to make Vision Lists to help me recapture the enthusiasm and passion I have for a project when it's fizzled out. Sometimes this is all you need. A piece of paper and a pen and time to list all the things you want in your story, all the things you love about it, why you want to write it. This helps keep you focused to avoid the dangerous Shiny New Idea Syndrome that can kill an idea and guarantee you won't finish your WIP.

Here are some journal prompts to and help get your passion and motivation flowing once more: -Why am I writing this story? -What do I love about it? -Why is my main character important to me? -Why is the story I story I want to tell important to me? Jon Acuff talks about finishing goals in his book Finish. Pick it up for motivation if you need it!

How do you handle burnout? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

<3 B

#writing #writing advice #writing craft #writing tips #writing prompts

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