I had a few weeks of what can only be described as writer's block/overwhelming anxiety. But if you’ve been following me over on Threads, you may have seen I’ve started challenging myself to weekly writing goals for the book I’m currently writing. (I talked more about it in my most recent newsletter for Creative Independent Podcasters.)

I love this part of writing, where I’m just reading and absorbing all the information I ened before crating a story from it to write.

My writer’s block wasn’t necessarily anxiety over writing my book. I was confident enough in my idea to know it was possible. And I like what the book is becoming.

But sometimes it can be difficult to shift into that writing headspace.

I know it gets easier with practice and repetition, though.

One thing I keep in mind when it comes to my all-or-nothing ADHD tendencies is persistence over consistency — showing up doesn’t have to be “perfect,” as long as I keep showing up. And usually, I find when I show up, I can chip away and get just a smidge further, which is better than getting nothing at all done.

It also gets easier as I fiddle with how to catch my own interest enough to be able to make that mental shift from whatever mode I'm currently in (Mom Mode, Cleaning Mode, Wife Mode, Podcast Editor Mode, etc.) into History Hobbyist/Writer Mode.

Lately, I've been scrolling through my book planning spreadsheet to see what words or entries catch my gaze and what looks interesting to research and write about in the moment.

If I'm uninterested in writing about my original idea, I find something that interests me more.

I think there was a point when I described my podcast The Story Behind as my excuse to follow where my curiosity and ADHD led me.

I like the feeling of doing that for my book.

And for now, being able to chip away at a big project like this any way I can quickly is the best route, I think.

So thank you to my interest-driven brain and nervous system. You make no sense sometimes but maybe if I lean into you more, we can get this book done and put into the world!

I think the weekly writing goals are good too. But, more importantly, the practice of showing myself grace when I don't hit them.

In the past, I would bust my ass and pull all-nighters to reach the goals I put out into the world. But this time I’m making my goals with the idea in mind that even if I don't reach them, the continued focus on them is what I actually need to write the book.

Four more techniques I've used to combat my writer's block/anxiety:

Giving myself choices of how to work on my book — if I don't want to write, I could at least do some research (which sometimes excites me enough to write an entry or two).
Being portable — I wrote the majority of my last book at my desk in my office and I got antsy and restless by the end. So far with this book, a good chunk has been written using my phone wherever I am! I even have a Bluetooth mini keyboard in my purse for when I can't be held up by thumb-typing. The less excuses I have not to write, the fewer obstacles I have to add to the overwhelm.
Using voice-to-text — sometimes I find I can talk about what I want to write about better than I can actually write it. So I do! I open my Google Doc on my phone and press the microphone button. This tip was given to me by writing coach Lynn Smargis from Write for You. (She wrote a series of guest posts last month on my podcasting blog for podcasters looking to turn their shows into books.
Keeping my book proposal handy — I wrote this when I was the absolute most excited about my book (and excited to WRITE the book). Reading my own words about my vision for what I want the book to become inevitably excites me. It also helps tremendously that part of my book proposal includes who the book is for. This reminds me of my audience and my supporters. I'm so grateful for them and this book is ultimately a thank you to them.

Of course, I still get distracted.

I'm currently writing this post instead of my book, right? You may have also seen some Reels I’ve made that have been inspired by something I was smack dab in the middle of researching and writing. And some Reels about things I had no intention to writing about, but my Story Behind research skills and curiosity were already raring to go.

But, as I keep reminding myself on every to-do list I write, chipping away WORKS. So I allow some distractions and fun — because writing should be fun 🙂

What do you think? Do you get writer’s block or lack of motivation for things you’re excited about too?

WHAT TO READ NEXT …

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