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What To Do When the Writing Suckies Strike

A great mentor of mine, Leonie Dawson, has a powerful page in her goal-setting workbook called, “What to Do When the Suckies Strike”. The idea behind which is that when your life is going All.Wrong. you’ve got a plan.

And that stuff works!

But let’s modify it and create a plan for what to do when the WRITING suckies strike.

This isn’t writer’s block or procrastination…

It’s the suckies that happen when you’re doubting your message, your mission, and your ability to craft both with your words.

(This is different than a Mental Monster!)

What to do when the writing suckies strike. 5 tips. #amwriting Click To Tweet

Here’s my personal list:

1. Watch ‘Julie and Julia’

Because this is a whole MOVIE about two authors – decades apart – each following their dream and honoring their message. And in the end, it all works out. But more than that, it’s a story of perseverance, love, writing, and having the strength of commitment to see a project through to the end. I can’t HELP but be inspired! And while I classify it as a “feel good” movie, what I love best is that it’s NOT a tear-jerker! Because the LAST thing I need when the writing suckies strike is to be MORE emotional!

Get ‘Julie & Julia’ on Amazon.

2. Remember WHY I’m Doing This

The writing suckies are classified by doubting your message – so refocusing on that message is a big help. It’s not WORKING on the message, it’s remembering WHY. For me, this is two-fold: 1. I remember the little girl who shared that MY BOOK took her from hating reading to loving it – and I sink into the memory so it’s vivid and fresh. 2. I think about my wonderful clients who have had lives transformed by my work – and are out there transforming lives.

3. Color

I get out the crayons or colored pencils and I color. For all the reasons adult coloring books are popular… they WORK. It’s soothing to see the colors go on to the page in a judgement-free way. And I don’t have to deal with the added pressure of DRAWING.

Find a coloring book on Amazon.

4. Get Back in Touch with Source

I don’t often talk about spirituality – but it’s a big part of my life. When the writing suckies strike, I remember that my gift is a gift from God. When I use it, I honor Him. Sometimes I recognize that I do need to take a day off – or a weekend – to get back in touch but at the end of the day, I really believe that it’s a “use it or lose it” gift. So use it I do! (Ideally to make somebody laugh!)

5. Look Back at My Body of Work

I go back and re-read “old” things I’ve written – especially pieces I’m particularly proud of or that make me happy. I look back at my oldest blog – TheOutdoorPrincess.com – and remember I’ve been touching people with words for YEARS. I hold my first books in my hands, the anthologies I was a part of before I did solo-books, and remember the long line of people who believe in me.

Then, a long, hot shower, a good meal, and a night’s rest… and I feel up to facing the world again.

What about you? What’s your go-to list when the writing suckies strike? Leave me a comment and I’ll answer them all!

Kim Galloway
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