about the practice

January 4, 2013 By • 17 Comments
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I haven’t had much time for writing in the past few weeks.  Let me rephrase that–I haven’t made time for writing in the past few weeks.  This fact caused me to experience a range of emotions.  At first I was annoyed, then I moved to frustration, and finally to acceptance.  My “no” to writing paved the way for “yes” to others.  I baked Christmas cookies which I hadn’t done in years.  I finished reading a book that had been riding with me, its pages calling to be read for a few months at least.  At this point, I look at my blog and am completely overwhelmed.  I know, the writing chick at Allume and she hasn’t written anything lately.  I know.  Last week I wrote a post here at Allume and it somehow disappeared into thin air and you know what?  I didn’t rewrite it.  Obviously it was one of those posts that I only needed to write for me.  No one else needed to see it.

Sometimes our writing is exactly that–for us.  Writing ultimately starts with us; at the crossroads of our experience, at the peak of our pain, at the diverging road in the wood–our writing begins with us.  Most often it helps another person and the penned words foster community, camaraderie, and solidarity, but it begins with the writer.  

Yesterday I was chatting with Trina and I confessed that I have no clue what to write about.  It’s not a case of writer’s block, per se.  It’s more like I have no idea where to start.  This is testament that we all get stuck at times.  Every.Single.One.of.Us.  

She suggested writing about one of my passions.  Plopping my bottom in a chair and going for it; writing until the words run dry.  It doesn’t matter if the finished product leads to a blog post.  It’s about the words and the thought and the process from brain to cellulose (or computer screen).  It’s about the practice.  Practice.  Practice.

 What’s one passion of yours and could you, would you write about it until the words run dry?

What tips and tricks help you when you feel stuck with your writing?

Kristina

Kristina lives around the corner from her grandparents in the same small town in which she grew up. When she isn’t reading young adult fiction or folding the endless piles of laundry you can find her blogging at redefining awesome.

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17 Comments • Filed Under: Uncategorized
  • SHANNON COE

    When I struggle to write I like to find someone in the Scriptures who is dealing with the same things that I am at this time. That always seems to awaken me and gets words burning in my heart. That always morphs into a passionate post for me.

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      Good point, Shannon! Love this.

  • http://twitter.com/BeSimplyBetter LESLIE MONROE

    When I don’t feel like writing, I just do it anyways. I have many projects going at once, so there is always something to work on. But I have been feeling like this lately. I worked on writing a novel in November, and spent most of December reading, trying to fill the creative tank back up. We need to give ourselves some grace and it’s okay to not post everyday.

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      oooh! I want to hear about this novel. “…give ourselves some grace….” how I need to hear this and APPLY it more often.

  • CHRIS MALKEMES

    “Writing ultimately starts with us; at the crossroads of our experience,
    at the peak of our pain, at the diverging road in the wood–our writing
    begins with us.” YOUR words yes. But I had to rewrite them because they’re that good. Writing starts with us and what He is doing in our life. Sounds so spiritual (I know) but it’s true. He is crafting, melting and molding us into His perfect, pleasing and acceptable will. In that we live and because of that we pour His work out of this sweet vessel into the world around us. Some of us in writing, some of us in a smile, but all of us in praise. Thanks for reminding me of that.

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      So welcome, Chris. Thank you for your kind words and your encouragement. Have a great weekend.

  • BECKY DAYE

    I find that reading and living life are the best ways to help me when I am stuck in writing. Our writing should always be an overflow of what is going on in our lives- not the other way around, right? So, I think that the finishing the book and the baking of cookies was perfect. Because this post is excellent, my friend!

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      Thanks, Becky. There are so many books left to read, though :-)

  • http://twitter.com/ElefantGrace EMILY

    Ok so I was reading through this, nodding my head with what you’re saying, and then I got to this: “Writing ultimately starts with us; at the crossroads of our experience, at the peak of our pain, at the diverging road in the wood–our writing begins with us.” And my breath caught. You speak so much truth, sister. That’s exactly when I started writing regularly – when the habit of writing took hold, when the healing through the purging of words began. Thank you for sharing this today – it’s beautifully written, and a clear example of why it’s ok NOT to write for a bit – clearly your break did you well. :)

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      Thanks, Emily. I’m so glad the words touched you.

  • http://www.whimsywords.blogspot.com/ JULIE WILSON

    When you don’t feel like writing you sign up for an online creative writing class and then discover that you have a writing assignment due EVERY SINGLE DAY… and you freak out just a little. But then you just sit down and try to do 3 days assignments at once. Yes, I practiced today! Here’s hoping I can keep up with the crazy class schedule!

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      Julie! I’m so stinkin’ proud of you for signing up for that class…. way to go, girl! And don’t give up!

  • http://www.toodarnhappy.com/ KIM HALL

    I will either just start typing about anything I have remotely considered for a post. If that doesn’t jump start the old engine, I will journal. Mostly that means I am writing things in large, messy script, like “This is stupid. I can’t think of anything to write. Blah, blah, blah.” Eventually the dumping and whining comes to an end and I start writing something that will generate a post. It’s never easy, though. Always good to know that others suffer similar dry spells!

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      I love it…”eventually the dumping and whining comes to an end….” keep up the good work, Kim!

  • DEBBIE

    I get stuck at least once or twice a month and that’s when I know it’s time to get up out of the chair and live:) I kind of treat it like I do my house work: on my “good days” I work my tail off, so that on my “down days” I don’t feel so bad about not being as productive.

    • http://www.kjtanner.com/ KRISTINA TANNER

      Good point, Debbie!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1103139415 LORRETTA STEMBRIDGE

    Chiming in at number 17 means all the good stuff has been said! However, I’ve discovered that if I’m “stuck” and it’s taking me more than a few starts to get going..then READ. Pick up a good book..pick up the bible and read. Good readers make good writers..didn’t someone say that? ALSO…serve. Outside your comfort zone is best…because that’s the only way to get that kick in the head and in the heart which will fuel the muse in us…outside our comfort zone living is where the story in us hasn’t yet been written. Glad you made a go of it here!