A couple weeks ago I shared My Dirty Little Secret. Due to personal and professional setbacks I haven’t been able to write in months. I felt ashamed and frustrated.
Well, I was overwhelmed at the number of comments, both on this website and sent to me privately. I realized that while my reasons for not writing may be unique to me, the stifling act of not-writing (or doing something you love in general) happens to many. I got so much wonderful advice that I thought I would share some of my favorites. It was tough to pick just a few…. 
From Commenter Deb:
I am not going to force things. I have been focusing on other creative endeavors for the last year so I don’t feel so worthless and I’m also on a spiritual journey which has empowered me to just BE. It has been life changing. Give yourself permission to just BE and relish life. It’s the greatest inspiration!
I LOVED this idea – just be. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure how to just be. I tried to make a list with corresponding sub-lists. Hmmm. Maybe I need to make a binder with different color-coded sections?
I’m still working on just be-ing. 😉
From My Big Brother via Email:
I’m sorry ur sad. I can co-write something with you if that would help.
Ha-ha! For those of you who know my brother, you are laughing hysterically. But this offer really made me smile. I asked my brother what we would call our co-written romance novel. He said, “Faster than the Speed of Love.” Hmmm, not bad. I’m thinking romantic suspense. Or maybe paranormal….
From Keely – frequent Mermaid commenter:
Keely mentioned several inspiring quotes but I really loved this one from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
I loved this so much that I printed it out and I keep it next to my bed. I read it every night before I go to sleep. I should probably read it in the morning too but due to my Olympics watching and subsequent post-Olympics recovery period, I’ve woken up late every day for the last month!
Like I said, you all really stepped up to the plate with encouragement, support and wonderful ideas. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated it!
For those of you out there struggling, I don’t have the answer. But I hope some of this cheered you up. At the very best, it got you back at the computer, tapping away at the keyboard. At the very least, it made you smile. I know I did….
Kerri,
You go girl!
I have to comment on this… as much as I love making lists and organizing my life, I’ve realized the just BE-ing is just that…no lists, no agendas, no organizing. It’s to learn to live life one day at a time to the best of your ability. Finding you, what makes you happy and enjoying life so that when inspiration hits us we know what it is and how it feels.
Keep your journal at the ready–where you keep your quotes–and when those moments of pure joy hit, you can write them down. Who knows where they will lead. But don’t force your mind to come up with something if it’s not there inside of you.
With lots of love and all the best, sis. Hugs to you!
Thanks Loni-Mermaid! 😉 Just be-ing is so super hard for me but I’m determined to do it! Hmmmm, maybe there’s a class I can take. Or a seminar. Hmmm, will make a list and start researching immediately.
Just kidding!
Sort of…
Kerri,
Your brother cracks me up! I want to adopt him along with your mom now. 🙂 Can you ask him if he’ll cowrite one with me too? And I love his title. I think you should do it! How about the hero is a jet pilot? Or an astronaut? Or a racecar driver? OOOOHHHH. You could have such fun. And just think of the fun research you two could do together. Races. Flights. One chapter, the heroine’s point of view, the next, the guy’s.
For me, (the one who said at that time of your last blog that she hasn’t written a real word since November), my salvation came in the least likely place. I wrote a short story for this blog’s October free read. It was super fun. It was fresh. And the bonus was that I had nothing to revise because it was all new. I didn’t worry about trying for all the hooks and arcs and smaller plot points. I didn’t worry about making sure I had twelve turning points. Or eight. Or whatever. I just wrote a short story that stands alone from my other books that need to be fixed.
Okay. But I still need to revise that short story. Hmmmm.
Good luck to you, Kerri! It will all come back to you. You just can’t put your heart and mind into one of your lists. Like Loni says, “You can’t force your mind to come up with something if it’s not there inside of you.”
Hugs and mer-kisses to you!
What do you mean I can’t put my heart and mind into one of my lists???!!! Have you seen my lists? They are fabulous. Especially when I break it down into sub-lists, color-coded by different levels of importance. Ooohh, makes me so happy. Weeeeee!!!! 😉
Kim-doll, I’m soooooo excited that you wrote a short story for the Mermaid Free Read (coming this October, readers!). Can’t wait to read it!!!
Off to make a binder….
Hi Kerri, Love these remedies. I have another one: go to bed early. I’ve been doing this lately (well, not everyday, of course, but once in a while), and it’s really helped me. No matter how daunting the task is, it seems much more doable when you’ve had a good night’s sleep.
Good luck be-ing! Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do.
Fabulous advice. Also, I heard if you get even one more hour of sleep a night it will help you lose weight. Bonus! Now that the Olympics are over I’m totally trying it! 😉
I heard that, too! Something about how people who are well-rested tend to eat less. I think the article (or whatever) suggested going to bed by at least 10:30, at least once a week. Of course, I guess this depends on what time you wake up, but I think the goal was to get 8 or 9 hours of sleep at least once a week.
Kerri, it is so hard not to smile at the wonderful, silly humor that just comes out of you. Even when you’re having a tough time. I hope it makes you smile too. And what a sweetheart brother you have. Write something with him, please! A poem, something! Hugs and kisses to you–xoxoxo
You always get me, Carlene-boo! That’s why you’re MY hero! 😉 Got ya!
Hi Kerri, what a nice update! I vote with Pin about getting to bed and getting enough sleep. The few times I’ve made sure to be well rested, I really do feel better. Other times, I just resort to excellent cosmetics…
Honest, I especially love the Emerson quote. I will keep that in mind when the day gets away from me after school starts again.
Susan,
I sure can attest to the cosmetics. I bet your husband can, too. 🙂
How many “pencils” did he say you have?! LOL
Susan-Mermaid!!! I heart cosmetics. Also, bubble baths!
That Emerson quote is fantabulous! I’m the kind of person who holds on to every. single. stupid. thing. So it’s a wonderful thought to allow yourself to let go. Definitely a work in progress for me.
Wait, is that just be-ing. Hmmmm….
I think your brother should swim by for Guy Day at the pond. Just sayin’.
You are all making me laugh about my brother! Wish you knew him – he’s a super smart, super successful alpha male. And I think he reads like non-fiction. Weird right!
But he’s the best big brother EVER!
Sweetie I don’t know what is making you not be able to write but whatever it is if there is anything I can do to help please let me know. I’m a great listener:) We all have periods in our life when we just can’t or don’t feel like doing something. Oh believe me…I’ve had more than a few of those!
Big hugs sweetie and know that I’m always here for you!
You are the BEST listener!!! Thank you for always supporting and being there for me! You know I think you’re awesomesauce! Big smoochies! 😉
I second Kim… Your brother should totally do guy day sometime! That was really thoughtful of him and I love his title.
All you can do is live one day at a time. If making a list helps you… then make a list. Just make sure that doing one thing just for you is on your list everyday. And when the day is done — let it go. If you spend too much time dwelling on the past you forget to live in the present. Don’t forget the reason it’s called the present is because it’s a gift to be cherished. *Hugs*
Whoa, Dana-Mermaid! That is deep. 😉
One of the best ways to break a writing a slump is leaning on your friends and supporters so you can see 1) You’re not the only one whose gone through this and 2) You’re awesome.
Ah, thanks Across the Hall! Awesomesauce! 😉
Kerri – so glad Waldo is a help. You’ll get there (in your beingness and your writing) because you aren’t giving up. Very important that whole not giving up thing!! Hugs and cheers!!
Wait – who said I’m not giving up???
Just kidding … hopefully. Thanks Keely! 😉
All so very inspirational, focusing on the positive and that each day is new and full of posibilities. Don’t dwell on the past ‘be here now’ and live for the moment. Thank you Kerri for sparking this discussion!
Love Ya K and I send many positive wishes to you, all covered in glitter sparkles!
I love glitter sparkles!!!
How nice that you and your brother are there for each other. It makes a mother proud!!
Thanks Ma! 😉
Oh I love this so much! I’m sorry I didn’t have any words of wisdom, but alas I don’t know that I’ve climbed up out of many ruts without someone else’s hand to help me out…. so I suppose there it is!
And you and brother should totally write something together… I would die to see what this may end up becoming!
Ha-ha! I’m AFRAID to see what my brother and I would come up with. Thanks O-Danielle! 😉
I can’t believe I didn’t comment when I read this yesterday, but your posts are inspiring. Seriously! I have been struggling in a similar pool, and your brave account of where you are is really helping me. I’ve been beating myself up a bit for not writing better – yes, that’s my thing. I am writing – kind of – but when I do sit down, I keep re-writing the same 75 pages, and I don’t know how to let those pages or that book go, and certainly am struggling on how to finish it. But yes, that’s where I’m at, trying hard to carve out the time I need to devote to writing, but then when I do, trying to find the desire to write those first new words without the sinking feeling taking over…alas…I know this will change, but like when?… I ain’t getting any younger…:)!
Sinking feeling – that’s exactly what I feel too!!! I can’t tell you how many times I wrote and rewrote and rewrote again the first 3 chapters of my WIP. Seriously!
Sadly, I don’t have any words of wisdom but I think writing these last 2 posts have restored something much more important … hope. 😉
Oh Denny! You and I are kindred spirits! I am living THAT dream myself at the moment.
Thanks Diana-Mermaid!!! 😉
The fact that you are willing to talk about it – helps:)…and again, I must say seriously helps. I do find myself feeling very much alone, and that ain’t true – which makes me happy…(misery loves company?, No. not exactly. It’s good to know I have comrades in the struggle!
If you are truly looking for a remedy, I think you’re on the right path! Just go with the flow of the river, hon, and you’ll come round right.