Many writers feel this way at some point. I know I do, occasionally.  In between work, going out to see Chicago, eating at all the possible restaurants to review on Trip Advisor and writing, the latter has taken a back seat. Add to it all the promotion and marketing for Under A Scottish Sky, it’s been a full week but not a writing week.

Recently, I started a short story and I have two R & R’s along with WIP’s that have to be completed. I’ve gotten behind the ball completely simply because I don’t ‘feel’ like writing.

So what do we do when we feel like not writing? Here’s what I did:

Read a Similar Work

I started reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck, although my work is nowhere like his. (hahah) But I started reading as a writer, searching the trope, the mechanisms, the editing, the vocabulary he’s used, as a way to learn my craft and get a feel of his fiction.

Created a More Detailed Outline

I figured if I was wasting my time not putting down the words, I might as well draw a map of how the writing should flow.  With a more detailed outline I can jump right in and follow the lines I already drew out when I get out of my funk.

Search Potential for the Project

Since I was surfing the net anyway, I figured why not look at some agents and publishing houses looking for books like my WIP. It’s part of the process and instead of doing it later why not do it now, since I don’t feel like writing.

Organized my writing plans 

I revisited all my writing plans. I hit most of the deadlines half yearly and then fell out of steam by September so my projects all hit the wall with new releases. I spent a lot of time sending books for reviews and all that stuff. Since I didn’t feel like getting back into writing I redid my targets and set new daily word-counts.

Sought Inspiration

Since I couldn’t get into the feel of it, I went on walks, visited parks, and with fall, you cannot help but get inspired. Since my book is set in summer, it didn’t help, but it did give me plenty to fill up my journal with ideas.

All in all, you can tell I never really stepped away from the writing process. It’s at the back of my mind and I did all the other writerly things I had to do but didn’t have to do now. But that’s the thing when you don’t feel like writing, take on editing, researching, reading, studying, organizing, anything so that you you don’t feel like you’ve wasted time. I know I do feel guilty about it but I’m hoping taking care of those other tasks have been helpful. Pretty soon I’ll be fed up of all those “other” things and I’ll get into the writing seat again.

What do you do when you don’t feel like writing?