DEAR WRITER: here's how to stop being such a masochist...

You are writing.

But, you’re not having any fun.

You've had so much practice writing to get paid for magazines you barely cared about, writing your thesis, writing emails, writing the copy for your website.

But, writing what actually turns you on? Lights you up? Keeps you coming back for more?

Not so much.

And so, when you sit down to write the stories you actually want to write, it probably feels like some massive chore.

You find yourself hiding your real desires, writing tepid things that make you sorta sad.

You might think you need to be more "confident", that you need to "change your beliefs" and "just write".

Lol. 

Girl, if it were that easy, you'd be doing it already and/or heading toward burnout because pushing that hard will have you overworking and ending up right where you started.

Here's what you probably need to do instead:

Firstly, take a look at the kind of writing you have gotten paid or professional accolades. Chances are the tone is sorta monotonous, very Writing Workshop Voice, and has a certain, um, predictable factor.

This work helped you survive in some way: through money, through prestige, through social support and this is important.

And so, when you start to write outside of survival (when you wanna go personal, fun, deep, sexy, etc.) your whole nervous system is like, no way bitch.

(Forgive her:-she's just trying to stay alive!)

Your soul craves writing in a way that is more you.

Something maybe like the way you talk IRL.

Something witchy, girly, irreverent, calm, angry, sexy.

And super bold, smart, and healing simultaneously.

And you want writing to feel a lot more fun.

Here’s how you do this:

You need to create conditions that support the emergence of your voice.

What for real brings you pleasure?

You need to get clear on the obstacles that make you think you don't deserve or have an inability to write whatever the fuck you want.

You need to let your inner self know that it is safe to create from your pleasure and SHOW them through action.

Repeatedly.

Your creativity thrives where your desire lives.

You will write so much more (and so much better shit) when you actually listen and take action from your pleasure, not by forcing.

So, get clear.

Thank your survival instincts for keeping you alive and start moving towards what gives you pleasure.

Is it planning more? Is it free-writing more? Is it allowing yourself to go nuts on the page?

Make it a game, let it be messy, and please give up this whole masochist thing.

It doesn’t suit you.

If you want to know how, I revamped my book coaching in a major, major way (more time, more impactful and focused, more sacred feminine power, more trauma and neurodivergent aware) and am currently offering complimentary sessions.

Book your free thirty-minute session here.

Love,

Hannah