#IWSG: Healing Writer's block and Burn out With Chrys Fey

8/3/2020

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Posts go up the 1st Wednesday of every month. Check it out here and join if you need support with your writing. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to the co-hosts: Susan Baury Rouchard, Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Hawes, Chemist Ken, and Chrys Fey!

I'm going to skip the monthly question because it assume I plan anything with my writing, and I YOLO it. The only exception is promotion and marketing because panstering that doesn't work too well. ?

I was a bit stumped as to what to write about today, but thanks to Chrys Fey, I'm going to share what I've learned about dealing with writing burnout, writer's block, and depression.

I've been burnt out and had writer's block before. It's not fun. The first time, I got really stressed about it. Why couldn't I write? Was I never going to write again? The catch-22 was stressing made it worse so it was a vicious cycle. Eventually, it lifted and I was writing again. What a relief.

Until it happened again.

Only since then I had learned an important lesson: Let yourself rest. Instead of stressing about not writing, I let myself relax. Writing would come back. It's okay to take a break. At times I still felt guilty, but it was nowhere as near bad as the first time I got burnt out and blocked.

It changed the answer I'd give about what advice I'd give to new writers. I now say it was okay not to write, that sometimes we need a break. We don't expect any other profession to work 24/7, so why are writers insisting that's how we work?

This is a realization that many can only learn through experience, but I want to reiterate here: It's okay NOT to write. Life gets in the way and there's no time. Sometimes we get burnt out and can't. That is okay. It doesn't make you less of a writer. It makes you human.

Catch the sparks you need to conquer writer’s block, depression, and burnout!

When Chrys Fey shared her story about depression and burnout, it struck a chord with other writers. That put into perspective for her how desperate writers are to hear they aren’t alone. Many creative types experience these challenges, battling to recover. Let Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer's Block, Depression, and Burnout guide you through:
·        Writer's block
·        Depression
·        Writer's burnout
·        What a writer doesn’t need to succeed
·        Finding creativity boosts
With these sparks, you can begin your journey of rediscovering your creativity and get back to what you love - writing.

BOOK LINKS:
Amazon / Nook / iTunes / Kobo Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chrys Fey is the author of Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication. She is also the author of the Disaster Crimes series. Visit her blog, Write with Fey, for more tips on how to reverse writer’s burnout. https://www.chrysfey.com/

PS: I have a release coming up on the 22nd. Help, anyone?

29 Comments

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

8/3/2020 10:42:12 am

I've certainly learned it's all right not to write for a while.

Liz A. link

8/3/2020 02:21:42 pm

That is good advice.

J.H. Moncrieff link

8/4/2020 08:45:02 am

I've often been disgusted at all the pressure put on writers to write all the time, as if we're machines instead of people. Nothing wrong with taking some time off! Often, we come back better after taking a break.

The one time I haven't found that to be true is when I take a break in the middle of a book. I've found, personally, that it's best to push through and finish, if I don't want to get stuck.

Kate link

8/4/2020 11:09:50 am

Sometimes you need time to look around and see the world. Read books, watch movies, spend time with friends. Otherwise wha do we have to write about?

Jay Artale link

8/4/2020 04:59:42 pm

If you decide not to write you can't leave it too long or else you get out of the habit, and then it seems to take longer and longer to get back into that writing mode again. I think that if you don't feel like writing, that you should still do a short free writing or speed writing session to keep those writing muscles limber. I see writing like working out, and you need to keep those writing muscles in shape. So even if I don't feel like writing a blog post or work on my latest book, I still do a brief writing session to blurt words on a page. Use it or lose it! :) #IWSG

Jemi Fraser link

8/5/2020 06:32:29 am

What great advice!! Taking the pressure off and just letting it wait is so smart!
Congrats to Chrys!

Chrys Fey link

8/5/2020 07:53:52 am

It certainly does make us human.

That catch-22...that vicious cycle is the worst. When I realized I was burned out and became afraid that was it for me and writing, it scared me. Legit scared me. And made things worse. So did trying to write. When we get to the point where we can accept what we go through and give yourselves permission just to be...that is powerful.

As for Jay's comment above...a lot of the time, trying to write can make these things ten times worse. I know, because I've been there, because I tried and felt the consequences. Every writer is different, and so is every situation.

M.J. Fifield link

8/5/2020 08:12:29 am

It really is okay to rest/not write. I don't think that can be said often enough.

Chemistken link

8/5/2020 09:30:18 am

Writer's burnout can be scary because you don't know when it's going to end. Take the time to do other things in life that make you happy, because when the writing bug hits you again, you're not going to have time for anything else.

C. Lee McKenzie

8/5/2020 09:38:49 am

It seems Chry's book arrived just in time for you!

CD Gallant-King link

8/5/2020 09:47:58 am

That "It's okay not to write," is important, and it's hard to learn and remember. We're indoctrinated to always be productive, that taking time off is lazy. But I don't think the human body is designed to constantly be going, and what's more, everyone's creativity and productivity is different. So who's to say what you should be doing? It's okay to do nothing sometimes!

Rebecca Douglass link

8/5/2020 09:52:33 am

We all need vacations. The schedule we lived as a family gave me those built-in times when I knew I wouldn't be writing, during periods of extensive travel and hiking. I'm coming to think that those are what kept me from burning out, not from finishing my projects!

SE White link

8/5/2020 10:33:52 am

Hello, fellow pantser! I feel you on the not-planning which story form to use. And wow does the cycle of burning out, stressing over it, and feeling worse sound familiar. I had to learn to let go a little, too. It's comforting to hear I'm not alone in this! Happy IWSG day :)

Jacqui Murray link

8/5/2020 10:39:50 am

I've never had burnout but am scared to death of it. It sounds awful. I appreciate your suggestions (like take a rest).

Tamara Ann Narayan link

8/5/2020 10:42:51 am

Taking breaks is essential. Writing is so much more than sitting and typing. The most significant breakthroughs and inspirations almost always occur when I'm thinking quietly, away from the computer desk.

Natalie Aguirre link

8/5/2020 11:27:05 am

Thanks for the great advice. I try to be nice to myself when I really don't want to write and take a rest like you say. Though at my contract writing job, I have to write to get paid. But they are short articles so are easier to do.

Tyrean A Martinson link

8/5/2020 02:03:44 pm

It is okay not to write. I love words, but there are days when I don't need to write them down. I had one of those days yesterday. And, it was a good day. Today, I wrote. And it probably went well because I rested yesterday.
Rest is needed.
Happy August, Patricia!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy link

8/5/2020 05:19:46 pm

Letting ourselves rest is key. And generally being kind to ourselves. Stress is just no good for writing.

Mandy link

8/5/2020 06:08:46 pm

Currently on a multi-year writer's block, but I don't write for a living so it's not a big deal. I still haven't found a way out - whether through rest or writing through it. Maybe one day I'll figure it out. 🤷‍♀️

Samantha J Bryant link

8/5/2020 06:22:56 pm

I think my unwillingness to admit that I was burnt out and that I needed to rest lengthened my struggle. Hopefully when these feelings arise again, I'll know better how to manage.

Stephen Tremp

8/5/2020 10:11:59 pm

I can take breaks. I need to. But I do find ways to eke in a bit here and there. The word count and quality of work adds up before you know it. Every little bit helps.

Elizabeth Mueller link

8/6/2020 09:28:33 am

Oooh, so wise! I love how you said that why would writers be expected to write 24/7, to just relax! I've had to do that recently and it all came rushing back to me when I tried to tackle my book again. Thank you!

Toi Thomas link

8/7/2020 05:45:34 am

Thanks for sharing. I agree that it's okay not to write and would like for mor writers to share that message. I think it's a great practice to write everyday if you can, but it should be accepted and expected for writers to step away from writing from time to time.

Anna

8/7/2020 02:00:02 pm

Sometimes when I can't write, it's because my brain needs to work behind the scenes for a bit. I get some really inspired ideas that way. :-)

Tonja Drecker

8/11/2020 02:43:46 pm

They say that as a writer, one should force themselves to write a certain amount every day. I hate this advice. There isn't a hobby or job around, which doesn't allow for breaks and vacations. And writing also needs time for inspiration to settle in.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy link

8/17/2020 09:15:17 pm

Great advice. Relaxing and being kind to ourselves when we can't write is a good thing. We put enough pressure on ourselves as it is!

Nick Wilford link

8/18/2020 04:40:00 am

Excellent post. If we beat ourselves up about not writing, it compounds the negative feelings about the whole process and that makes the "recovery" from burnout all the harder.

Shannon Lawrence link

8/19/2020 10:54:53 pm

Writers definitely need to learn that sometimes a break is something we need to do. It's always about getting the words in, no matter what. You're right that other jobs require time off, too.

JQ Rose link

8/27/2020 10:53:13 am

Absolutely! Quit fighting the block. Don't let it have the satisfaction of ruining your life. Just get out and away from it and relax. Enjoyed the post--even if I am late.
<a href=http://jqrose.com>JQ Rose</a>