Having Issues Getting Words On The Page?
If you’re having issues getting words on the page, you’re not alone. It’s probably one of the most common laments I hear from screenwriters and authors. It’s so common as to be NORMAL, with even pro writers wrestling with the page too.
The good news is, B2W can help – especially if you’ve found yourself thinking any of these … Ready? Let’s go!
1) “I don’t have enough time to write.”
Do you have a day job, a disability, mental health issues, or neurodivergence, money problems, kids or other caring commitments (or maybe ALL of these)? Then finding the time to write can seem like an impossible dream.
But here’s the crucial thing to realise … it SEEMS like an impossible dream.
Look, I’m not one of those annoying, smug professional writers who say shit like ‘we all have the same twenty-four hours in a day’. It’s an inescapable fact that for many of us, we absolutely do not have the same 24 hours!!!
Yet it is possible to write, even when you have a gazillion demands on your time. How do I know this?
Because I had ALL the above at one time! I was still able to write ten novels, a bunch of non-fiction, god knows how many blog articles and more besides.
Productivity and smashing your writing goals are NOT about having uninterrupted, perfect scheduling. If it was, I would never have written a damn thing in my life. Instead …
- Write within tiny windows (only got 5 minutes?? It all counts!)
- Utilise ‘dead time’ when you’re waiting (on hold, during commutes, appointments, or for kids)
- Make notes by hand in-between real life tasks so when you’re at your computer you don’t waste time
- Set concrete goals and evaluate them
- Understand you’re not running out of time! It takes as long as it takes to finish your draft and that’s okay
B2W TAKEAWAY: Don’t rush or shame yourself. Don’t believe there’s a ‘right’ way to write. There isn’t!!
2) “I keep finding reasons to put off writing because it feels like a chore.”
Many of us have a desire to write but procrastinate because of the way we were taught. It’s a fact that most English Literature and Language curricula are turgid, boring and feel like a slog. (I’m a trained English teacher and still feel this way!).
But here’s the thing. You’re not in school anymore. There’s no grading of papers and schemes of work or exams.
This all means you can write ANY WAY YOU LIKE!!
If that means you want to dive into your draft and carve out the story long term? Sure, go for it.
Or maybe you want to write a mega storyworld document first? Yup, that’s valid.
Hell, maybe you want to cast your characters with A List celebs or create movie posters or book covers as part of your process? DO IT!
Sure, there’s some best practices you can do if you want to get words on the page AND become a pro writer … but if you don’t want to do that, no one is going to rap your knuckles with a ruler. Do whatever you want, however you want.
B2W TAKEAWAY: There’s no set way to do this writing malarkey … only YOUR way.
3) “I’m discouraged by how long it will take to become great.”
It’s true, any journey to greatness takes time. It’s also true the biggest issue I see writers have is rushing … They:
- Rush their drafts
- Or rush their submissions
- Or all of the above!
But here’s the thing … literally no one sensible believes they can play Chopin straight out the gate when they’ve never had a single piano lesson before. No trainee doctor skips straight ahead to brain surgery. No school athlete thinks they can walk straight into the olympics either.
It’s the same with writing. That’s why I recommend #2 on this list and doing it YOUR way. If you’re having fun, you’re far less likely to rush and get GOOD words on the page.
B2W TAKEAWAY: Accept being a good writer takes time, just like everything else. Understanding that there is no shortcut means you can kill off this toxic expectation.
Good Luck!
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