Don’t we all get there sometimes as writers; that point, when you’re so drained of words, that you’re even tired of thinking in words? They can appear as a jumbled mess in my head and then also on paper, like a puzzle that I have all the pieces to but there are around 5000 and you search endlessly for one in the middle. Yes, I can openly admit: I do have times when I’m not in the mood to write. I wasn’t in the mood to write this post for example. I’m doing this at ten at night, I have my next shift starting at 5:30 am and I should sleep instead of producing lines after lines. But sometimes, pushing the limit is what makes great literature. The fake it till you make it has to come from somewhere, right? So let’s discuss what you can actually do, to push your mood into writing when you don’t feel like it.

1. Remind yourself that you are good at this.
   
   Yeah I know, most people will say “I’m actually not good at this, I’m just trying.” Well that is actually good. It is better than not even starting and it is better than saying your own writing is complete garbage. If you are good enough to sit down, form sentences on paper or list ideas or just do a mindmap, it wíll help you structure whatever you do later today or tomorrow when you are in a better headspace. If you are already a writer you must’ve had some kind of success to get there so don’t get stuck on the “I can’t do this anymore” or the “I won’t write as good as back then” and focus more on the “I did it once so I can do it again.” You already did put yourself out there, no need to get caught in the ferris wheel of feeling like “this is impossible” and ending in full writer’s block.
   
   
2. Pick up literature (or your own text) that you DO like.
   
   This might be one of the easiest ways of getting into the mood to produce something. I usually pick up a book that goes into the same direction I’m working on to see what elements I’m liking. Sometimes it’s enough to underline certain parts or to mark them in other ways, other times, I want to reread stuff I already produced to see if I match a tone or if I need to add to a story. If you’ve already been working on a project, you might have days when it’s easier to write a scene that happens later than the one you’re not in the mood for right now. Even a couple of lines can help.
   
   
3. Writing in itself doesn’t need to happen in every session.
   
   Read that again. I’m trying to get you in the mood to work around the story so you can finally feel more ready to get into the story. There may be days where we don’t want to work on sentences or structure or rereading. Fine. You can still do other stuff that might help you later on. Try to list characters and see how they connect. Draw a timeline. Find a twist, that you want to incorporate. Make a picture or photoboard that helps visualize what your setting is to look like. Try to find titles or chapter headers that you like, focus on layout or cover design. Or reply to comments online, if your writing is public to take your mind off. Just don’t stop completely, that might be the hardest challenge of it all.
   
   
4. Take a break.
   
   Yes ironic after you read my last sentence. By a break I mean clearing your headspace and taking a day off or a couple of hours and fixate on something completely different. Sometimes the things that feel far away from writing and are more focused on body exercises (sports, DIY, taking a walk, painting something etc.) create the calmness that you can get back to something more intellectual. I have the same feeling at my main job, where I work “full body” for around seven hours and my mind leaps into writing when I get home to keep my brain active. Like mentioned above, I don’t think it’s good to go off for too long a time but a bit now and then can push your mood and energy to try more afterwards.
   
   
5. Join a co-working, other writers or a book club.
   
   Easier said than done, right? Maybe you don’t know other writers but connecting online if there’s nobody around, is easier than you think! Lots of writers join online platforms like Wattpad.com to exchange text work, opinions, fan fiction and so much more. You could also check for universities closer to where you live if there is a student book club or something comparable. I found my first “group” going online, the second was organized via a library setting and we started our bookclub after a writing month in Scotland. Ask around to see if anyone in your circle is interested in discussing literature now and then or just writing next to eachother.
   
   
6. See the final goal.
   
   Or set the final goal. There’s no use in writing anything when you don’t know what it’s for. If it’s a diary it might just help you to know you put your words somewhere and don’t need to carry them in your head as much. If it’s a book you might want to publish or finish a part to send to an agency (set a time when that is supposed to take place). Set a date when you want to send it to somebody else. Set a word count or a time (like 1 hour a day every day from 5-6pm). Try to keep yourself in check like putting the goal on your phone screen to remind you or set a timer that rings once a day. Be brutal when it comes to this last point as it’s the one that has to manifest the most. Even if you are not in the mood, you might find it easier to get into it when you are reminded of the cause.

What are you doing when you don’t feel like writing? I could lie and say I’m good at all of the above but I’m certainly not. I have to push myself more days than not at the moment and sometimes I do use “being tired” as an excuse to produce less. But honestly, I do think that the smallest amount of pushing can already help and if that is buying a new pencil or a new notebook, so be it. I’m excited to hear your opinions in the comments below!