September 25, 2010
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I don’t think I can do this anymore.
I’ve wanted to be an author for a very long time. For about half of my life. I wanted to write tons of novels, like Danielle Steel, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts. Writing was my passion. It helped me feel better in times of darkness. I would crank out poems in five minutes. I could barely get the first one written before I was writing the next one. I was writing short stories and thinking of the novels I wanted to write someday. I was reading and writing all the time.
I still read a lot. But I’m not writing anymore. It’s still my dream to be an author, but I don’t write anymore. It’s like I can’t feel it anymore. I don’t understand it. I still have ideas and thoughts, but I can’t write anymore. I’ve had a novel idea in my head for a few weeks now, and I just started writing it. But I didn’t even get a page done and I feel like I can’t write it anymore. It’s giving me a panic attack and I can’t breathe.
It’s like, I’m getting anxious. I can’t handle it. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why can’t I write? It’s not writer’s block, really, because I still have ideas. But I’m blocked in some way, somehow, and I don’t know why.
I don’t think I have it anymore.
Comments (29)
It goes in and out. Sometimes inspiration doesn’t strike for a while. After all, where would ideas come from if all you do is write?
I feel the same way…I should have written my first novel by now…but for me it seems like I don’t have any ideas anymore…I don’t know what’s wrong…
I know exactly what you mean. :/
you just need some time to step away from it. i’m going through something similar. and it’s not because i don’t have ideas. in fact i have tons. but i’m confident i’ll get back into it. and so will you. i think every writer goes through this. don’t be discouraged.
@ItIsAllGravy - @hilaw - It’s been like this for YEARS, not just lately :/
Maybe it’s just a temporary problem.
@crazy2love - you’re still young and can afford to weigh your options. it’s time to explore other things. it’s like anything. if you really love doing it, the desire will return. and it doesn’t matter if it takes weeks or years.
It happens. It happens with music too. Oddly when I step away and come back I find things sunk in while I was away from it. It’s similar to not being able to solve a problem. You go to sleep and when you wake up the next morning with the answer. Don’t worry. The Vikings don’t seem to be able to play football anymore but they will again.
dont give up keep try
i get it, too… itll come back, just try not to think about it.
Saaaammee here. I don’t know why. I think that I’ve just changed in some way.
I am willing to sacrifice my naked body to be your inspiration.
I’m really no help here, sorry. I hope it gets better.
I go through the same thing, in fact, I’m going through a dry spell right now. I have all the ideas, but when I sit down to type it all out it seems to go right out of my head. I’ve been told to just relax, and try to write something every day, and it will return. It sounds like good advice, so I thought I’d pass it on. Try not to stress about it, I’m sure this is just a temporary thing.
I feel you on this. I’ve been in this situation for a while now. I know why though, fereakin depression. I wish you luck! Let us know if you are able to write again.
Happens to everyone who is trying to do something worthwhile. It starts out fun, then the thrill goes away, and you need to find a way to push yourself through the hard part. And then you get to the part that is better than fun.
sometimes it helps to do exercises. like remember writing techniques you learned in school? as much as it is annoying to force yourself to do anything it eventually will motivate you to be inspired to write. practice your craft. make lists of things or words or phrases you like.
i also find that completely removing myself from normal helps. going somewhere i haven’t been before. doing something i haven’t done before. even if it is small it will get your mind working in a different mode and perhaps strike some inspiration.
I write screenplays.
Scratch that. I USED to write screenplays. I can definitely feel your pain about wanting this career and not being able to do the key thing to make it a career. I’m trying to make it less of a hobby and more of a “part-time job.”
Think of it like this… for you: 1 page a day is a novel a year. A first draft, yes. But a novel. For me at 1 page a day I could complete a script in about 2-3 months. Maybe 4. Depending on the genre.
I think I need to join/start up a writers challenge. Just a page a day.
And my dry spell has gone on for 2 years. I have plenty of ideas so I’m not too worried. It’s when I sit down to work on them I’m just completely lost at what to do with these ideas.
I go through periods where I can’t stop writing, and then my desire to write just leaves. For weeks, sometimes months. It’s almost like I have to recharge my creativity before I can start up again. When I can’t write, I have this weird need to absorb as much as possible – books, music, movies, tv shows. It’s almost like a two-part addiction that I can’t break.
I feel the EXACT same way. I wish I could get everything out but I just can’t seem to do it. It’s killing me. I want to be an author, but I can’t do that if I can’t even begin to write anything anymore.
I continue to write. I haven’t stopped nor have I lost my touch. I just feel a bit uninspired, that’s all. Though I think you will get back into that..
You just haven’t found the right idea to set of that hurricane of creative writing. You’ll find that idea eventually so don’t give up!
I feel the same way :-/… I was published in an anthology when I was in 7th grade, and even got to go down to the cities to read it at a ceremony for those of us who had been published. Then I started getting all of these accolades, and people wanted me to write on command, and I couldn’t. Then I had a notebook full of poems that I wrote when I was depressed. My aunt found them and BURNED them because she thought I wouldn’t want to be reminded of such a hard time in my life (I LOVE that woman with a passion, but seriously??!!)… then I got happy… and have nothing to write about. I miss it… but I don’t know how to get it back.
I’ve felt this way for 20 years. A lot of great things have happened in the meantime. Hang in there. You have a great start and you’ll get it back.
hello how are u doing i love to know u..can will chat so that will can know each other more better…have a nice day…i hope to hear from u
@apennieformythoughts -
I believe, every happiness in this world, every happy relationship ruins the creativity of the artist. Don’t get me wrong, but I believe the true creativity and art can only be born out of sadness…
i feel that way too. i mean, i still wanna become a journalist, an author, something, but i just feel like i dont have it in me anymore. that passion that was so strong once. i felt this way before tho and it came back to me. so maybe it’s just a phase. maybe it’ll come back soon
It goes in cycles. There are times to write and times to immerse yourself in reading, which eventually improves your writing style.