For a variety of political and societal reasons, authors have been coming forth in recent weeks to admit to their lack of creative luster during the past year. A number of supportive conversations have taken place–and even a meme or two–about getting back out there from a creative productivity standpoint.
For those writers looking to regain their focus in 2018 and put out new content, there are a number of resources available.
First, productivity apps and platforms can be very useful, so long as they don’t take more work learning to use them than you’d otherwise spend on writing. This might be the year you finally give Scrivener a try; among users, it seems to be a go-to tool, and there are tutorials available online for learning to get the most out of it.
Next, template guru Joel Friedlander offered up a handful of advice points for meeting your goals in the coming year. Some of the most poignant advice includes actually putting realistic goals on paper rather than just mentally claiming you’ll write two books this year. Once they’re written down, break it up into realistic writing, editing, and publishing timeframes.
Still not feeling the creative buzz? Take a read through those exact feelings by other creatives. Knowing you’re in good company can help shake off the lack of spark. And hey, if 2018 turns out to be the same daily dumpster fire that the past year may have been for you, just remember that dystopian fiction is hot right now. Channel that hopeless incredulity into post-apocalyptic survival stories until things look up.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
