Last week, I had nothing to say. Okay, not nothing, but nothing I felt was going to add real value to your week.
It wasn’t that I ditched writing…oh no, there were story deadlines hitting me from every direction. But when it came to the blog, I felt exhausted. Nothing. Nada. Not one little slice of inspiration.
So I decided to say nothing.
In the world where we are inundated with opinions, ideas and thoughts from everyone every direction, I reckon sometimes saying nothing is the best plan. Instead, I just got on with my other writing work. Quietly. Without fanfare.
Should we all give up writing?
Writers should take a year off, and give us all a break: http://t.co/XC9AlXmQbc
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 16, 2013
While I had a great time on twitter with Megan Blandford joking about not writing (prompted by this Guardian article above – feel free to jump onboard our ‘pay us not to write’ kickstarter campaign) there’s some food for thought in there too.
If I have nothing to say and there is no real deadline looming, should I write? Mostly, yes. Because writing is a discipline – and it’s waaaaaay too easy not to.
Yes, writer’s block is a real thing. Here’s how you might handle that as a freelance writer if you’re stuck for ideas. And here’s some options if you just need to re-find your creative spark.
But I don’t know that what I had last week was writer’s block. I just had nothing to add. I needed to use my energy for other things. So I said nothing. No fanfare. No announcement. Just nothing.
For the comments below: How about you? If you have nothing to say – or blog about – what do you do?
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Thanks for this post Sue and yes I mostly agree – but in this age of social media and chronic over-share there is an often overlooked option.
We can still write, we just don’t need to publish.
As you say, writing is a discipline and it’s way too easy to find excuses not to write.
But if you have nothing to say, nothing to add you can still write, write something, write anything, know that it need not be clever or witty or polished.
Keep up the discipline, then just keep it to yourself.
For me anyway that can be better than giving in to not writing at all.
I like how you put that: “Keep up the discipline, then just keep it to yourself.” As I say above, I was writing all week. And I guess, as those things will ultimately be published, they WILL be shared. But the over-share…I’m not a fan. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Sue,
Great post which reminded me that sometimes writers need to be on input rather than output mode. An hour spent reading/walking/talking to other people can be more productive in terms of replenishing the creative juices than just staring at the screen trying to force inspiration to come.
I also find with blogging, where it’s only my own deadline looming, that sometimes I simply don’t have an idea that I think is good enough. But it’s amazing how often serendipity strikes and a great topic comes up just at the last minute. Love it when that happens!
Thanks for a great resource for writers.
Yes, I never sit at the screen waiting for inspiration. If I REALLY think it needs a boost, I get a pen and paper out and scrawl, seems to flow better. But mostly I plan plan plan so by the time I get to the screen, I’m ready to go.
As for blogging – I too love last minute inspiration, and also am enjoying serendipity. Maybe it was serendipitous that nothing came to me last week, to inspire this post! (Clutching at straws perhaps…)
Glad you enjoy the blog, lovely to hear.
Hi Sue,
I’m with you on the the over-sharing, not a fan either, so thanks for this post to explain the silence.
But I missed your voice last week Sue, good to have you back!
Ahhh, nice to be missed.
I think this comes down to personality, too – if I have nothing to say, I won’t spurt rubbish from my mouth so I don’t do that in writing either. Some, however…!
Ooh yes. I DEFINITELY agree. Although if I’m honest I’m probably far more verbose in real life than on online (I do talk quite a bit..although of course, I like to think it’s all interesting. Ha ha). However, in the digital world I like to tread (or speak) with a “measured yet engaged”, if that’s a legitimate description. Not to little, not too much. Goldilocks approach. (Or the Buddhist middle path?) Or both. I’m sure it will evolve over time. Maybe one day I’ll never shut up. Here’s hoping not!
Yes I will write, doodle, journal, draw even but I don’t post every day (nor do I do so every week) on either of my blogs, although social media is a different thing, I have automated tools that help do that for me.
I did one of the short courses at AWC and really love how accomplished all of the course trainers are so am surprised I hadn’t stumbled across your blog sooner but have bookmarked it now and will subscribe too 🙂
Cheers
Jennifer Nini
Founder
http://thesocialcopywriter.com
Thanks Jennifer – lovely to hear!