Stay Inspired: Overcome Writer's Block and Rejection
Authors write for a myriad of reasons, but I firmly believe there’s one overarching reason: they must. Somewhere in their coding the desire to share their stories is so strong they can’t not.
So, what happens when that strong purpose is blocked?
What happens when an agent or a publishing company reads a query and says, “nah”?
Writer’s Block
My friends, everyone has writer’s block. That gajillionaire author whose name is on everyone’s lips? They get it. The newb author who writes on their lunch break or at their desk when work is slow but they want to look busy? They get it. Every author gets writer’s block. Getting it is easy. Getting past it is the hard part.
There are a lot of remedies for writer’s block, and it’s hard to say which remedy will help, because authors are unique. Let’s add to that: a remedy that will help once might not help a second time. Be persistent. Be stronger than the block – you are, even though you may not feel you are.
Here are some of my standbys:
Acknowledge that I’m part of a community – I’m not a freak or an outlier because I have writer’s block.
Take a break (this is tricky – it has to be a genuine break and not a rage quit – this isn’t Xbox! Give yourself a set time for your break and come back.).
Writing on the computer? If you’re able to, write by hand. Writing by hand? If you’re able to, write on the computer.
Have a shower. Read this article from the WaPo. What struck me is that 30% of study participants had moments of insight due to mind-wandering in the shower. It’s science!
Drink some water. Hydration is important.
Have a snack or eat a meal. If you’re like me and have the HD of ADHD, forgetting to eat/drink/and even go to the bathroom is a real thing. Our body and our brain need fuel.
Read. Reading a published book is evidence that people like you have overcome their writer’s block!
Sit outside/take a walk/ride your bike. Once, I got inspiration from the breeze. I sat in it and wondered how I would describe it in a sentence so I was showing and not telling. Then I wondered how I could apply it to a character. Then I created a very important scene for the growth of the character. All because I decided to go outside. Take that, writer’s block!
Listen to music. I wrote a couple of scenes that took place in Ireland. So, I listened to Irish music. Much like listening to Wind Rose (if you like Lord of the Rings, check out Mine Mine Mine! and Diggy Diggy Hole) helps me cycle up stupid hills, or Muse songs got me amped up before a theatre performance, themed music can help get your brain going.
Do you have a ready list of remedies for writer’s block? It’s an important part of your writer’s tool box!
Rejection - like Love - Hurts
Rejection sucks. It’s the C when we thought we got an A. It’s the too-tight pants when we were sure they were going to fit. It’s the hair cut that looked much better on the air brushed celebrity than on us IRL. And it’s the no from the agent and the publisher when we believe so strongly in our manuscript.
Writers, we have to be prepared for the noes. It’s the same with writer’s block. Even the author who earns a gajillion dollars has had a few noes – maybe even more than we’d expect. It can be hard in the face of a no, but just think, that no is leading you to your yes. Just think of how few books we’d get to read if every author gave up at their first no. I’d have to find another hobby.
There are a few things to consider when you receive a no:
Were they the right agent/publisher for your manuscript? Did you query the first agent or publisher you googled without looking to see if they’re a good match for you/your manuscript?
Is your query polished? Have you looked into how to make the best query?
If writing fiction/memoir, is your manuscript completed?
Is your first 25 (or so – it varies) pages professionally edited? If the agent/publishing company were to request a full manuscript, is it as clean as you can get it?
This takes endurance, pragmatism, and courage. As long as you’ve done all you can to mitigate the noes, then it’s a matter of painstakingly finding the right agent or publishing company that will give you the yes you crave.
