laptop on table in a peaceful cafe

Do you ever find yourself wondering how to get back into writing? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve had many people ask me over the years, “I used to be creative—what happened?”

Usually, life happened. The necessities of parenthood, caregiving, navigating changes, or just general adulting got in the way. Dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, or grief can also suppress our creative side. Often, the pressures of work or school can take a toll. “I don’t have any energy left for writing,” we tell ourselves, because it’s so easy to forget how the act of creating can be energizing rather than depleting— and can crowd out some of the negativity we’re experiencing in our lives.

A writing rejection or someone else’s disparaging words about our work can also become a setback if we let it. We may feel we need a break, or we may even resolve to give up on writing—only to realize that writing hasn’t given up on us.

Personally, I didn’t write nearly as much as I wanted to in 2021, and for reasons I don’t want to get into here, I shelved a completed novel draft for the time being. It was the right decision, but it broke my heart a little bit to do it, and it led to a dry spell. But so far in 2022—and yes, the year has just begun—I’ve been writing two hours a day.

The good news is, creativity never really goes away. It just needs a little nudging! So here are some of my ideas for how to let your creativity flow.

laptop keyboard, coffee - How to Start Writing Again after a long break - get in touch with your creative side again

1. Find your writing place.

It might be a public place: a café, a park, or a library. In any case, it helps if you can choose a place where you aren’t in the habit of doing housework, watching TV, or scrolling on social media. It’s a bonus if it’s a place where you’re less likely to be interrupted by others.

Regardless of where you choose, the key here is consistency. If you return to your writing place again and again, your brain will get into the happy habit of being creative there. It’ll feel like home to your creative self.

2. Bribe your inner writer or artist with gifts.

Your inner creative self is like a child, and children like presents! Get yourself a new notebook or journal, a new pack of your favorite pens, a coffee mug with a slogan about writing, some special writing snacks, a plant or bouquet for your desk or bedside table, a fragrant candle to burn while you’re writing…whatever makes you happy. It’s a way to prove to yourself that your writing matters, which will help encourage you to do it. So treat yourself. Check out my ideas for gifts for writers for inspiration!

3. Do writing prompt sprints.

Here’s how you do this! Find a writing prompt. Set an alarm for 15 minutes. Write as fast as you can. It doesn’t have to be good. It literally doesn’t even have to make sense. If you’re putting words down, you’re doing it right.

Repeat daily for one week.

I really prefer writing in a journal or notebook for this kind of thing, and I’ve blogged before about the benefits of writing by hand. But do whatever feels comfortable for you! My book 5,000 Writing Prompts is perfect for this, though people also use it for when they get stuck in the middle of stories. In any case, I can almost guarantee that doing this daily for a week will thaw any icy writer’s block and get those ideas flowing—and even gushing!—again.

4. Start your day with an affirmation, such as, “I am a talented and prolific writer.”

Maybe even say it while looking at yourself in the mirror! Remember, though, affirmations only work with repetition. If you do them once or twice, they do more harm than good, because the cynical part of your brain kicks in. “A writer?” it sneers. “Yeah, right. You haven’t written in two years…” With repetition, you’ll drown out that thinking, and your brain will rewire itself to believe in this new reality.

5. Talk a walk while listening to music before writing…

For some people, this only works if it’s music without lyrics. Other people, like me, don’t mind the lyrics! Of course, you could also…

6. Make a playlist to listen to while you write.

This could be a playlist for a particular project; a playlist for a genre, like horror or fantasy; or just a general playlist for writing. Regardless of what you do here, your brain will get in the habit of writing when it hears the music.

I know you have other ideas for getting back into writing. So let us know about them in the comments! If you can relate to the struggle, we’d love to hear from you, too. We can do this! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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