When you just don't wanna write... - Learn How To Write A Novel

Do you want to write today?

Yeah, me either.

I feel like this today.

And it’s not just because I taught all weekend (which I love doing!). And it’s not just because I got up at 5am to make it home in time to watch the Vikings game. (which was at 7pm, so apparently, I need to check the schedule before I book flights). And it’s not because THIS happened….

It’s because, well, I just don’t wanna write.

And the fact is…If I let the Don’t Wanna win, then I’ll never get any words on the page. So, I WILL write. But, sometimes you just gotta let your brain rest.

So…how do you “plan” for those essential, but unexpected brain rest days?

Remember that game where you have to move the squares into place to create an order?

This is my secret for getting all the things done that I need to get done…even when I don’t feel like it.

I use what I call a TIME TEMPLATE. I pre-plan my quarter into what feels like a reasonable schedule. But, instead of scheduling each activity, I create Designated Time Blocks. E.g. A Writing Block. A Marketing Block. A Family Block. A Personal Block.

It sorta looks like this.

But the key is, I leave WHITE SPACE. A place to move blocks around if something interferes with a scheduled block. Get a call that your son has forgotten his shoulder pads and you need to drive them to school? No problem—switch your Personal or Errands Block into that time slot and move your Writing Block to the now empty slot.

Find out that your relatives are coming to town unexpectedly? No problem, just stack all your personal or family time at the end of the week, and move your writing to the beginning of the week.

The key is having moveable time blocks and the white space to put them in. Don’t panic, just move them around, and now you can STILL get your writing done…and the rest of your life, too.

I have more tricks to getting stuff done in our Brilliant Writing Planner course—which is FREE when you purchase My Brilliant Writing Planner. It’s currently $20 off the regular price, but the SALES ENDS WEDNESDAY!

Now, I’m off to do “research.”Which may or may not include taking a walk, listening to a podcast and reading a book. And then, yes…writing.

Your Story Matters. Don’t let life trample over it.

Go! Write Something Brilliant!