You know you want to write, but you have writer’s block. In fact, you have probably tried so many times and changed a diaper instead, came back to the computer screen and completely forgot what it was you were writing in the first place. Yep. That was me twenty years ago. I simply tried to write, but I couldn’t.
Cue in the birth of my special needs son, born and rushed to the NICU, plus a crazy then-husband, and an elementary-aged son who had no real clue why everyone was so upset about his brother. The writing was on my radar, but it wasn’t something I could even do.
So, no, I am not going to tell you that I had the time to write. I didn’t. For me, writing took a blog post a week (or more in the middle of a medical crisis). I simply tried, but I could not always make a go of it.
Plus, for some weeks, I wrote for thirty minutes and that was it, so whatever I had, I published. Sometimes I had to go months when life simply made me prioritize everything but writing.
So, if you dream of writing, but you just can’t find the time, think it through and breathe first. You will get there, it just may take you a bit longer in the beginning. But, trust me, if this is your journey, you will get there!
Is Writing Important?
I seriously struggled with this at first. I was a teacher and if you wanted to make a living, you went out and got yourself a teaching job. You certainly did not become a starving writer!
But, then life changed my ability to just go get a teaching job. I had to stay home and raise my special needs son.
I did have dreams early on of making a living with my writing, but in all honesty, I could not even write. My income had to come in from other sources at first, while I learned the craft of writing and taking care of my special needs son. I flat out had a lot on my plate.
So, yes writing is important, but not when you have a special needs kid whose priorities are more important.
As special needs moms, we know this.
Set aside time to write
So, you may not even be sure you have time to write at all, and seriously, you may not, but try these ideas to keep your writing time sacred. Getting this ingrained into the routine of your household will help your family understand that this is important.
- Get up early in the morning or work late at night.
- Put on a movie so you can sit and write.
- Get a sitter and go to the library or coffee shop to write for an hour.
- Send them off with your husband while you write
Whatever you do, let them out of your sight while you write. You may not notice what they are up to before you realize it.
In short, let your family know that your writing time is important. If you are trying to make a living with your writing time, you may need to hire a sitter while you sit in your home office and work.
But, if you are looking for ways to carve out writing time, think about what your goals are and how important your time is.
Eleven Ways To Help You Find Your Writing Muse
I cannot even count the number of days when my son was little that I simply could not get the words out.
Call it Mommy Brain or hormones, I have no idea why I could carry on several conversations at once with my kids, but not get the words on a page.
Maybe I used them all up? 😉 Who knows.
If you are struggling, try these ideas to help you find your words.
Write in a Journal
If you have never written in a journal, you may find it therapeutic. Writing in a journal is a free form of writing, but helps stimulate the word juices.
You can write in your Word app on your computer, or find a journaling app. Either way, this is only for your personal use and is not meant to be shared.
Watch Some YouTube Writing Videos
Plenty of people are publishing writing videos on YouTube, which are great to watch or listen to while you do something else.
Find your favorite and get your juices flowing.
Find Writing Prompts on Instagram
Type in #writingprompts, #dailywriting, or #dailywritingprompts and see what comes up. There are plenty of great writers and thinkers on Instagram to help you find your muse.
Behold Facebook Writing Prompts
Search in the search box for writing prompts and several FB pages come up. Like one or two on those days when words are short.
Reedsy
A writer’s platform, Reedsy has over 1,000 writing prompts for daily use. They also have a regular writing contest for $250 if money motivates you!
Tumblr
If you are a Tumblr fan, you can search for writing prompts and click to follow the category.
Servicescape
Servicescape is a freelance writing service, that hires writers by the way, but if you are a fiction writer, they have an amazing writing prompt for several fiction genres. Just look for yourself.
Plot Generator
Yet another fiction writing tool, Masterpiece Generator has an easy-to-use plot generator, which is free to use. Type in your pen name or some other keyword you want to use and get a list of plot ideas. Try it for yourself.
They have several other generators as well, including story ideas, novel prompts, story titles, and story generators.
Squibler
Squibler is a writing platform that also has a general story plot generator for fiction writers. Try a general prompt or the dangerous mode.
Seventh Sanctum
Don’t let the website fool you with its simplicity. Seventh Sanctum earned the 101 Best Websites For Writers award in 2015. Try one of their 16 writing prompt generators.
Springhole
Try this list of random prompt generators on Springhole, a writing website written and published by another writer.
We All Need Writing Help Somedays
Really. When you simply cannot get the words out on the page, or your head cannot focus on one single idea you are trying to write out, get some help with writing prompts and story generators. There is truly no shame!
You could even take a walk or take a writing break if you need to. Because, truly, when your writing muse gets stuck, you are wasting time or spinning your wheels by writing something that has nothing to do with your project. Or, worse, sitting there staring at your computer waiting for the words to flow.
Try these tips to help you get started and then get started on your next book or blog post. Or, read this post below about how to start a blog on a budget! Click on the image to find out.
