By Paula Munier
Okay, so the world is on fire. But that’s no excuse not to get our writing done. Or is it? Admittedly, the chaos happening out there in the world can distract us even when we’re tucked inside our writing room away from it all. Because we are living in the real world, after all, and not just in the imaginary world we’re living in when we write.
The prolific John O’Hara, author of six novels including Appointment in Samarra and Butterfield 8, more than a hundred novellas, and over 400 short stories, said that it was “impossible to write during the war.” He was referring to World War II, but I suspect any war can silence us writers—at the very time we should keep on telling stories that need to be told. No matter what you’re writing or how downhearted you’re feeling, here are some ways to get back to your work:
Take a break from the news. Whatever is happening out there will still be happening when you’ve finished your pages for the day. Or worse.
Take a break from social media. Outrage fatigue saps your writer’s soul. Save your writer’s soul—don’t feed your outrage by scrolling, channel your outrage by dramatizing it on the page.
Put a rewards system in place. Research a new setting—and treat yourself to that new book by your favorite author. Outline the scenes in Act One—and indulge in popcorn and movie night. Finish a chapter—and go on an outing somewhere fun. Write The End—and plan that trip you’ve been dreaming about (to a place not in a war zone). Reward the writer in you.
Eat well. Sleep well. Exercise. Keeping your body healthy helps counteract the effects of stress—and promotes creativity. Hit that heavy bag, breathe in and breathe out on that yoga mat, take that dog for a walk in the woods. Then sit down and write something. Anything.
Get inspired. Listen to podcasts and interviews with your favorite writers. Learn from their struggles, take their advice to heart, and get pumped up about your craft. Cynicism encourages writer’s block, enthusiasm defeats writer’s block.
Read poetry. Even if you’re too distracted to read (much less write) right now, you can read poetry. Luxuriate in the imagery, the themes, the language. Poetry is short, it’s emotional, it’s powerful. And it’s the best antidote for ennui. Let your favorite poetry be the best kick-starter for your own poems and prose.
Keep a diary. Write down your angst about the world, your work, anything and everything around you and go where that takes you. Explore those feelings.
Create a vision board. Focus on why you write and what you mean to say to your readers with your stories. Post your vision board above your desk to remind you that what you mean to say is still worth saying—the sooner, the better.
Juggle more than one project. Isaac Asimov used to have ten or more projects going at a time. When he tired of one—or got stuck—he just moved on to the next. You can do the same.
Research your dream project. If the world’s going to end, you might as well write that novel you’ve always dreamed about writing. Your masterpiece. Starting now.
Commiserate with other writers. You’re not the only one finding it hard to concentrate on fiction right now. Throw a pity party with your writer friends, whine a while, and then get to work. If you don’t have any writer friends, make some.
Write something every day. Even if it’s just a rant. Rants count. Rant against the state of the world, and segue to a rant from your protagonist’s POV. And before you know it, you’re back in your story.
The world may be on fire, but we can set our own fires, keep our creativity burning inside even as the chaos reigns outside. Deny the distraction, defy writer’s block, and dare to do our best writing yet. Because writers write—and the world needs our stories now more than ever.
This post originally appeared on Career Authors