Writer's Block ~ Julie Lence

Every year, I schedule time in November and December to write next year’s blogs, and every year, I get down to the last blog and either can’t decide on a topic or just don’t have the ‘umph’ to get it written. As I’m writing this, it’s December 12th and I’ve fallen into the same ho-hum doldrums. I have 2 topics simmering in the back of my mind, but neither interest me. The same with the research. Maybe it’s the rush of the Christmas season to get everything done; gifts bought and wrapped, the tree trimmed, meals planned and cooked, and of course, walking Harley on the days when the temps are above 40 that has my muse longing for a stretch of time off. But then, this morning, it hit me. Writing a last blog is akin to writer’s block.

There are a handful of memes centering around what people think a day in the life of an author is like vs. what a day in the life of an author is actually like. Most authors can attest to days of staring at the computer screen and thinking, ‘what happens next?’ That question can bring on vague ideas of which direction to take the story, the ‘what if I did this, or what if I did that?’ Most of those ideas will be discarded, because just like my final blog, the author either isn’t crazy about them or something—instinct, perhaps—is suggesting none of said ideas is the way to go.

Or, numbingly staring at the computer screen could just be plain ole fashion brain fog.

I really hate when brain fog hits. Mostly because I hate being idle and feel as though I’ve wasted an entire day. Other times, it’s frustrating thinking how on earth could I have been focused and on track yesterday and today I have nothing? So, what do I do to ease the anxiety? First and foremost, I have learned to Not edit what I’ve previously written. I’ve made a mess out of perfectly well-written scenes and chapters by doing that. Second, I’ve learned to not beat myself up for having a non-productive day. For whatever reason, the muse needs a break and it’s in my best interest to honor that. Third, I have found cleaning helps restore the muse. I think it’s the physical activity that releases whatever is blocking the muse and puts her and me back on track. With hands dirty, scenes and conversations vividly come to me and I’m running for paper and pen to write it all down before I forget. Later, when I return to the computer, most of what I’ve jotted down finds its way into the story. It may not be exact, but it does get me going again. And the same can be said today. I feel energized and at peace. I pushed through the fog and disinterest and wrote this last blog for 2025!