Keep Writing: Conquer these Five Momentum Stoppers
Writing can be profoundly fulfilling, yet many writers find themselves stuck, unable to translate their ideas into words. You can break free from this rut and restore your writing habit. You control your destiny. Understanding why writers sputter and stall can keep your writing project in high gear. Letâs explore the five common barriers that keep writers stuck. We focus on the personal narrative, but these blocks affect writers of all genres.
1. No Plan?: Chart Your Course to Keep Writing
Without a clear plan, writing projects can become overwhelming and directionless. Many writers start with enthusiasm but lose steam because they havenât mapped out a path forward.
Think of your writing project as a journey that requires a route to follow. You may need weeks or months of exploring your topic in prewriting before you are ready to map out your story and make structural choices, but eventually, you need to understand your story before you can see it completed and hold it in your hands. Plan for artistic exploration and plan to apply structure. Both are essential.
Creating a detailed plan can make a significant difference. Breaking your project into smaller, manageable tasks. Make sure exploration and creativity are a part of that plan. Set daily or weekly word count goals, and outline the key points you want to cover in your narrative-once youâve found your theme and structure. If structure comes first, most people will end up with a stiff and formulaic narrative. Spend some time finding your material, your themes, and your authentic art.
This approach organizes your thoughts and helps you to visualize a doable goal for each day. With a clear roadmap, youâll be more motivated to keep writing and see your project through to completion. Use our Writing Planning Sheets to organize your plan.
2. No Consequences: Establish Personal and Family Accountability to Keep Writing
Without consequences for not writing, days quickly turn into weeks, and weeks into months of no progress. It's time to be your own boss. Set self-imposed deadlines and give yourself rewards for meeting your goals. Share your goals with family. Let them know that âI just earned a reward for 10 days of meeting my word-count goal.â Think of fun rewards like a coffee shop visit, a new book, a leisurely hike, a favorite meal, or a fun outing with friends. This will help you stay on track and keep writing regularly. Enlist family support. Post your big checkmark on the fridge calendar everyday you meet your writing goal. Keep your writing time on that calendar. If family duties supersede your writing time, the family pitches in to complete one of your chores to give you time back. When you take your writing time seriously, others will too.
3. No Support?: Join a Community
Writing can be isolating, especially in the genre of creative nonfiction where personal experiences take center stage. You might be dredging up some emotional baggage. The absence of a supportive network can make it harder to persevere and maintain enthusiasm for your work. Your family can cheer you on, but would they know if your repetition of a thematic element is too obvious? Itâs great to have some feedback from writers, while keeping control of your project.
Find a community where you can share your progress and gain insights from others. Courses, workshops and writing retreats offer structured environments that foster creativity and provide valuable connections.
I post my writing progress daily on the first-person writing community group. Join me and celebrate your win every day you write at: facebook.com/groups/memoirandmore.
4. No Momentum?: Develop Consistent HabitsÂ
Momentum is crucial in writing. When you stop writing for an extended period, restarting can feel like an insurmountable task. This interruption often results in a loss of confidence and makes it harder to produce work consistently. My self-imposed rule is to never skip two days in a row.
To regain momentum, start small. Commit to writing a set amount each day, no matter how small. Even a few sentences can help you rebuild the habit.
I keep my writing word-count goal to three hundred words, six days a week. Itâs my secret sauce. Once I sit down to write three hundred words, I generally write more. Having a goal thatâs easy to achieve makes it easy to begin. If I only write three hundred words, thatâs fine. Check mark: Iâm a winner! Low-count writing goals are a secret sauce to overcoming resistance.
Over time, these small efforts add up, and writing becomes a regular part of your routine again. Establishing a consistent writing schedule helps maintain momentum and ensures that you keep writing even when motivation is low.
5. Not Making Important Creative Decisions: Define Your Vision to Keep Writing
Creative nonfiction demands thoughtful decision-making regarding your storyâs structure, theme, and voice. Unmade decisions can create a bottleneck, making it difficult to progress and causing writers to feel stuck.
Before you dive into writing, take the time to plan out these essential elements. Decide on the main theme and message of your narrative. Outline the structure and plot points, and consider the tone and style that best suit your story. Having these decisions made in advance provides clarity and direction, making the writing process smoother and more enjoyable. With a sharp vision, youâll find it easier to maintain your focus and keep writing to create meaning from your life.
Special Invitation to Writers and Aspiring Writers:
You want to transform life events and insights into a publishable memoir. Follow a proven path to guide your process and decisions to author the book only you can write.
Your Writing Journey Deserves Some Fuel
The pain of not completing your memoir or narrative nonfiction project can be profound. Itâs not just about an unfinished project; itâs about the stories left untold, the insights not shared, and the personal growth halted. Addressing the factors that have kept you stuckâlack of a plan, absence of accountability, no support system, loss of momentum, and unmade creative decisionsâcan transform your writing journey.
The Complete Memoir Course from Jack Walker Press is designed to tackle these exact issues. By enrolling, youâll gain detailed guidance on planning your narrative, creating self-imposed deadlines, and developing a supportive network. The course also helps you build consistent writing habits and make the critical creative decisions needed to bring your story to life.
After working with hundreds of students, I developed the JUMP method to help you move through important decisions and keep making progress. Each module and lesson is crafted to ensure you keep writing and overcome the obstacles that have previously held you back.
