Easy Way to Make Writing More Enjoyable and Productive

The flame in my mind disappears. I run out of things to write about. The fire that a day before was blazing hot turned into a warm pile of coals.

I ran out of wood also. All the ideas that I stacked over time burned quicker than I planned.

I try to grab the last hope. I blow into the coals hoping to see some of them catch on fire. It caused an impressive effect but not the kind I wanted! Only a cloud of ashes attacks my eyes like an angry dog awakened from its deep sleep.

I try to type something but there’s no use. There’s no writer’s fire in me today.

Trying to squeeze out content makes me feel bitter toward the writing. Nobody wants their hobby to turn into a burden. I end up closing my laptop and leave my table to do something more productive.

This scenario happened so often! I started to doubt if I should even continue writing.

But one day all this changed!

How to Rekindle the Fire

The truth is:

There’s never a time you don’t know what to write or speak about.

When you sit and think of an idea to write you evaluate. Many times you come up with something you don’t think is good enough, right? You don’t believe it will turn into an entire story worthy to be published.

Then you throw this piece of idea away. It’s too small, too brittle and unworthy of attention.

I’m here to tell you that no matter the size of the piece of wood, it can still burn!

It’s not that you have to combine all the scrap ideas and turn them into something interesting. I wouldn’t suggest that. Unless you know what you’re doing.

The best use of the scrap wood is to use it as kindling. It will help to start and strengthen the fire.

All these crap ideas that you have can be recycled the same way. You can always write something. Even when you’re burnt out. Actually, there’s no better time to describe how burnout feels like!

So go on!

Write about the smells in your room, about the barking dog that has its off button broken. Tell yourself about the struggle you have of not being able to come up with a single idea.

That’s the kindling that empowers the fire! All the straw and offcuts. They’re not rubbish if you know how to recycle them.

But, don’t let it float in the ocean of the wide world internet. Your litter might scare the strangers… I mean, your future followers!

Use the little pieces to rekindle your creativity. Create a new draft where you can clack your keyboard away in freedom. Nobody is supposed to read it! It’s a journal that you can keep as a secret filled with your frustrations.

The truth is that you can always write about something too. Everyone can. Even babies scribble when they get the mighty pencil into their little strong fists. They don’t know how to speak but they know how to write!

Alright, all jokes aside. You’re right that not all ideas will reach the stage of publishing.

Yet, I came up with my best stories when I was writing my frustrations about not coming up with ideas. I’ve created a draft that I use as a thought journal. When I feel stuck or when I’m not sure what to write about I open that draft.

There I let myself off the leash. There are no rules there. It’s a draft that will never be published.

Nonetheless, I came up with many ideas while I was sharing my thoughts, or experimenting with a style.

When that happens, I close the thought journal and start a new story. Most of the time that new story ends up being published.

I wouldn’t have come up with the idea if I haven’t started scribbling there. Starring never helps. But thoughts always lead to another and they multiply.

More Crates!

After a couple of months, I stepped up my game. Instead of putting all my straw, offcuts and splinters into one crate, I started to organize.

The thought journal was still serving me but it wasn’t good enough by itself. I was interested to write about a couple of different topics that I have experience in.

One box got cluttered and I couldn’t access specific materials. Scrolling took so much time that I forgot why I opened the draft in the first place.

Because of that, I created other journals. A crate for every topic I’m writing. They allowed me to write down ideas, insights that stand out that day. Also, to share my excitement of learning something new.

One of the journals I created is called The Productivity Journal. I was sharing my excitement about having the freedom to write. That’s the place where this story was born.

The Sweep-Up

Not every day has to be spent on writing for the world. Sometimes you need to write for yourself. Enjoy the process. Let yourself speak. Nobody will be bothered by it.

I can assure you, that you will end up with more ideas than you thought your mind can fit.

You will never be lost or pressured. And your writer’s fire will never stop burning.