Adison's picture
Adison from Texas is reading Wisdom of Insecurity December 15, 2014 - 1:49pm

Hello, hello! This is my first time posting, so here it goes.

I've always been very passionate about writing for as long as I can remember. It's been something that I not only enjoyed, but was fairly talented with as well. It has also always been easy for me to write, especially when the mood strikes or Im particularly interested in what I am writing about. The words and ideas have always seemed to just happen as if they had always been there and were just waiting for me to begin. This is anything from critical analysis papers for classes to poems or short stories for fun. Writers block has never been much of an issue for me, until now.

I have one more semester left in college which means for the past few months I have started really digging into jobs that are out there and what kind of writings I need to put together for many of the job applications I will be filling out and sending in. All of a sudden it is like I have absolutely no ideas, but all of the motivation in the world and so I honestly have no idea where to begin. I know trying to write something, anything, at least once a day helps, but is there more any of you can add? It is as if all of my ideas have decided to hideaway for fear of being brought to light and being noticed or even rejected. How do I get over all of this and get back to writing?? It's got me freaking out a bit which probably is not helping at all.

HELP ME. I HAVE FALLEN AND CANNOT GET UP.

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated December 15, 2014 - 4:19pm
Tim Johnson's picture
Tim Johnson from Rockville, MD is reading Notes From a Necrophobe by T.C. Armstrong December 17, 2014 - 7:49am

Stop worrying about it. If you're anything like me, the more anxious you get about not writing, the harder it is to write. I also find it difficult to write during times of big life events, and I would say preparing to graduate and looking for a job is a big life event.

And that's okay. It's okay to not write. It's okay if you're not feeling it. It's okay if you get 500 words down and think they're all crap. Either push yourself harder by clearing your schedule and unplugging your Internet or take a step back and spend a few days watching Netflix.

I actually just went through a bout of this. It lasted about two weeks. I got sick and played a lot of video games. Last night, I got back to it and had a pretty solid session. So it goes.

Jordan King's picture
Jordan King December 17, 2014 - 8:11pm

You are young and have lots of time to write.  I do not buy into the idea that you have to write every single day.  Different things work for different people.  Writing every day might be an unbreakable rule for some people, and it works for them, but that doesn't mean it's going to work for you.

If you don't have any ideas right now, then don't fret.  Do something else, anything else.  Go out with your friends and play some pool.  Watch your favorite movies.  Read your favorite books.  Go to a party and listen to the conversations...if you're around semi interesting people, what they say will be worth hearing and remembering/writing down for future use.  Do the things that work for you personally, and take a little break from writing.  The ideas will come.  For me, they usually come when I'm not expecting it.  

When I sit down and try to bully myself into writing, bully myself into coming up with a new idea, I'll just get frustrated and accomplish nothing.  So maybe if you brush it off and go do something else without worrying, something will spark in your mind and you'll be rushing for the nearest piece of paper.  The only really unbreakable rule for ME is always carry a pen. 

Jim Woods's picture
Jim Woods from ohio is reading Fight Club December 23, 2014 - 8:38am

Great advice Kingjd47! 

First off do you have a professional looking up to date website? Resumes matter less and less now. 

Its all about networking when it comes to writing. Turn Facebook into something actually useful; it is your best way to network with writers all around the world! I'm a full time writer and loving it. 

.'s picture
. December 29, 2014 - 12:18am

I'm in the same boat. So far it seems the most realistic job I can land with an English degree is teaching mouth breathers where to place a comma or working at starbucks. Let me know when you figure out the dream job.

Steer clear of internship websites. That is just my opinion however.

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated December 29, 2014 - 1:56pm

Have you thought about something teaching illteriate adults?

Adison's picture
Adison from Texas is reading Wisdom of Insecurity January 5, 2015 - 3:23pm

Thanks for all of the useful information. I definitely have a few ideas on what I want to do but all of the jobs I'd like are a bit far fetched. It certainly wont stop me from trying though. One of the job applications opened up this morning. Wish me luck!

 

Thanks again!