How to Keep Writing When You Want to Stop

This month, it feels like all I do is write.

I write blog posts and emails and website SEO and social media blurbs for clients.

I write fiction every day because I’d really like to get this draft done by the end of the month.

I write emails to prospective clients and people I’d like to network with.

I write posts for this blog, and comments on other blogs, and I even manage to compose an occasional email to my sister who is overseas.

I’m probably writing anywhere from 2,000-6,000 words a day, depending on my to-do list. And mostly that feels great. I love writing, and this is absolutely what I want to be doing with my days.

But it also means that my brain is getting exhausted. Last month, I divided my week into “fiction days” and “client days,” but this month I abandoned that distinction, and it’s starting to take a toll.

Some days I’m fine: three blog posts and an autoresponder email and 2,500 words of fiction? No problem. I am a writing rock star.

Other days, I spend far too much time staring at my computer screen wondering if “under” is a real word (because, seriously, that’s what always happens if you stare at any single word for more than 30 seconds).

I’ve come up with a few strategies that are getting me through it all, but I’d love to know what  tips other writers and small business owners have to just keep themselves going!

1. Change locations for different tasks

I’ve started doing all my client work and networking at home. Then, in the afternoon, I pack up my laptop and heading to a nearby coffee shop in the afternoon for fiction writing.

The physical change helps me switch mentally from one kind of creative thinking to a very different kind. 

(Plus, I’ve deliberately never asked for the wi-fi password at the coffee shop, so there is literally nothing for me to do there but write.)

In the warmer months, I’ll probably switch back to the library, but while it’s cold out I love being able to have my tea while I work.

 2. Get some exercise

When I’m feeling really motivated, I go for a run in the middle of the day. When I’m feeling less motivated (or it’s really cold outside) I’ll do 10-15 minutes of free weights, stretches, and ab work in my living room.

It gets my blood flowing and helps jolt my brain back into action when it’s getting too tired to word anymore (yes, I did just use word as a verb. Sometimes, it’s appropriate.)

3. Have a separate room for work

Right now, I live in a one bedroom apartment, so this isn’t so feasible. The most I can do is work at my desk.

But, the next place we move, I’m definitely going to have a separate home office. And I think I may paint one entire wall as a chalkboard, because the thought of having that whole space for notes and thoughts and outlines kind of makes me tingly.

4. Take a reading break

Whether or not it’s productive (I tell myself it is, but I’m not sure that’s true) a reading break feels like an acceptable alternative to writing.

Sometimes I’ll read a book or short story in a similar genre to what I’m writing. Sometimes I’ll find a few articles or blog posts about the craft of writing or business development.

And sometimes, I’ll just read a few blog posts from people I admire or envy or want to be like, because there are few things more likely to get my butt in gear. (One of my best motivators is Chelsea Fine.  She published four books in three years, and just signed a three-book contract for her next series. That woman is a writing machine.)

xx

So now that I’ve shared my tips and tricks, I’d like to know:

What do you do to keep yourself working even when you want to stop? 

How do you just keep the words flowing?