Advice for getting your writing groove back

[mi_amor]

I've always loved reading and writing. Throughout my schooling I was often told I was a great writer, but I didn't believe it. I stopped writing and abandoned my passion for many years, but I've started thinking about writing again.

What would you do in my situation? Would you go to university and take some creative writing courses? Or just write for a hobby?

I'm a SAHM and am 27. Is it too late to rediscover my passion? I'd love any thoughts on what I should do.

[doubledutch]

just start writing. keep a journal or a blog. there's no reason to go to school - just read and write.

[Bella Catalina]

You don't need a college education to be a good writer. Just jump back in. Don't be afraid to experiment with your writing and get a feel for your style and voice... it may have changed (mine did).

I'd recommend Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. She talks about a concept she calls morning pages, and it's a great tool to get back in the habit.
Beyond writing, read, read, and read some more. Fiction, non-fiction, books on the craft--basically anything you can get your hands on

FWIW, I am 29 and a SAHM, and only recently decided I am interested in publication, and I've written since I was a child. I stopped writing for almost two years when I found out I was expecting DS1, but once I made the time to create a habit again, it's been great.

[aikigypsy]

It's definitely not too late! 27 is nothing... the important thing is to realize that writing is not a fast-track to international fame and fortune, and that it takes a lot of work to do well.

I would recommend taking a local class, just to meet others who are also writing, and to give you a place to talk about your work. I, for one, find it easier to work when I'm connected to a community of writers.

[mi_amor]

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. I was afraid I took too long of a break in writing...almost 10 years! It will be interesting to see how my writing has changed.

I will definitely check out that book too.

[Krisis]

If you need support I'm here! I feel old and useless and writerless too, but I am 23. I just started a new novel but I hate it already and I feel like my writing is sooo sucky. Whine.

[allgirls]

Ok..so I'm the old geezer of the bunch but I"m 43 and I sure as heck isn't gonna let that stop me...I started back up less than a year ago, have had some poetry published, have a small independant publishing company that is going to publish my poetry book and my novel if it's good enough...just get in there and start.

Allgirls

[LoveLife]

This was just what I needed to read. I'm 26 and haven't written in 7 years and just feel like anything I write isn't any good.

I need to get my confidence back as a writer and realize that I can get back into it.

[Krisis]

I wrote for the first time in 3 years yesterday. I shot out 1300 words in one go. I am so excited, I just hope I can keep this up. I kinda don't care if it's total crap at this point, I'm just happy to be writing.

[Blueone]

I'm trying to get back into the groove (28). I was an avid writer before and up through the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy. But then I got tired, then I had my son, and now I'm tired and busy with a 4 month old. I want to write, but haven't gotten into it lately. I do blog though and tell myself stories during the day. But usually they get interrupted and I end up repeatedly going through the same ideas again and again.

But you know, I didn't start getting into writing again until I was 26. I was a big writer in college, but stopped for a bit. I just picked up one day and started out a story that is now finished. It's 200 something pages.

[MommyHawk]

Is it too late????

HECK NO!!!!

You can pick up at any time of your life. Get some time alone, and start writing. Just write. You can do NaNoWiMo if it's not too late to join.

Just keep in mind: all first drafts stink, you'll find TONS of support and info HERE , and you are a writer the moment you start writing.

You don't have to have anything published to BE a writer. You just write.

I love this book by . It helped me get my groove back. And this book.

Just like with starting to eat healthy or exersice, so long as you are ALIVE it's always a good time to start!

[allgirls]

Mommy Hawk..I think your links didn't work.

I agree...a writer isn't a writer because of being published but becomes one the moment the pen meets the paper. Just start doing it.

I recommend reading Steven King's book "On Writing."

Allgirls

[Krisis]

Originally Posted by MommyHawk

Is it too late????

HECK NO!!!!

You can pick up at any time of your life. Get some time alone, and start writing. Just write. You can do NaNoWiMo if it's not too late to join.

Just keep in mind: all first drafts stink, you'll find TONS of support and info HERE , and you are a writer the moment you start writing.

You don't have to have anything published to BE a writer. You just write.

I love this book by . It helped me get my groove back. And this book.

Just like with starting to eat healthy or exersice, so long as you are ALIVE it's always a good time to start!

Wait, am I missing something? What books do you like? Sorry if I am being dumb!

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by Krisis

Wait, am I missing something? What books do you like? Sorry if I am being dumb!

No I think her links didn't take! I'll let her know!

[readermaid]

I'm in the same boat as some of you. I have been experiencing the worst writer's block for the last two years! Before that, I journaled and blogged regularly. I published zines occasionally, and I just generally thought of myself as "a writer." When I got pregnant, my words slowly dried up. I don't know if I just got preoccupied with baby stuff or if it was something more, but two years later, I know that now I hardly have the time/energy to write. I've been really trying to make it a priority, but it's so hard to make time for it.

Nice to hear from others in similar positions. Thanks.

[Bella Catalina]

Originally Posted by allgirls

I recommend reading Steven King's book "On Writing."

Allgirls

Another rec for that book, too I only just read it and it's been on my shelf for a year or two

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by Bella Catalina

Another rec for that book, too I only just read it and it's been on my shelf for a year or two

I read parts of it almost every day..it's either on my writing desk or at my nightstand...I'm always going "What did Stephen say about that?"

I call him Stephen...we're tight

[MommyHawk]

sorry took so long...my links to the two books that helped me get the groove back are...


This Year You Write Your Novel

and


On Writing


The first one is quick and to the point. Will get you back up on your feet and your book written. Done!

The second is quick too. Skip the first and last parts if you want to. The middle is the meat that'll get you there.

HTH

[MommyHawk]

Originally Posted by Krisis

Wait, am I missing something? What books do you like? Sorry if I am being dumb!

sorry. I was going to link to the books that I listed on my blog and then I remembered you couldn't link to your blog and then I had to clean up a mess...and totally forgot...

thanks to allgirls I remembered finally

[allgirls]

I have done writing workshops, classes etc. and I still have to say I learned way more from On Writing than all of the rest put together!

A must have/must read for writers as far as I'm concerned

Allgirls