Sad day, can't write, won't write

What to do when you simply can't write anymore.

[shigamoto]

Hello people,

I've been away on a trip. When I came back I simply can't write any content for my site anymore. Everytime I try to write I just end up blocked, or I feel so much anxiety before writing that I just can't do it. It's been like this for a week.

The subject my content site is about is starting to bore me. When I get press releases I don't read them with the same scrutiny and enthusiasm as I used to.

I'm seriously thinking about selling the content I've produced and keep the domain name to go in to ECommerce instead. I'm already making more with ECommerce than with the content.

Do you think that it will be any buyers for just articles and reviews? Have any of you had any similar experiences?

Regards

[Beagle]

Have any of you had any similar experiences?

It's called writer's block. Anyone who writes as a vocation or a serious avocation experiences it. Not to downplay what you're going through, because it can be a serious situation, but just to say you're not alone. There are books and articles written about it that may help (don't worry about finding ones specifically for web writers, IMHO). Here are some thoughts, starting from the easiest form to "cure," on up. [Edited to add: This started out as "a few thoughts," but I guess it'll be obvious this is something I have some feelings about once I get started.]

One thing that sometimes works is to just pound away on the keyboard with no intention of ever using what you're writing for anything. Write pages and pages of nothing, not thinking about it much, until you realize you actually have something you want to say and have a way to say it. Especially since you've been away from it for a bit, you may just have to prime the pump. This exercise is particularly helpful for getting over the anxiety problem.

If you really are bored with the subject matter, maybe you need to look at a different slant or a completely new subject. In your pages and pages of "nothing," what comes out? New thoughts about your current subject matter, or new directions you might want to explore? If you find yourself writing at least some content that doesn't fit your site, maybe that's something you can sell to others for their sites. Sometimes having more than one thing to write about (some content on "your" topic, some content for other webmasters' topics) can keep you from getting bored with yours.

Almost every (if not every) writer also has times of thinking, "It's just not worth it. I'm going to go sell life insurance." Or whatever - in your case, spend your time on ecommerce. And for many people, that's the answer.

It may sound idealistic, but in my years of writing and of knowing many other writers, I've really come to believe that fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, and a writer has to write. The format might change completely, different subjects might (I'd say probably will) take precedence at different times, you might even find yourself writing stuff that's [gasp!] not for the web - maybe even a book on your chosen subject. You might find yourself completely making your living from ecommerce while you explore new forms of writing you're not quite ready to make money from.

But if you're a writer, you won't be happy not writing, and will find some way to do it. If you are happy not writing, then it probably wasn't your niche and you'll be happier doing something else. There are always ways to make more money than by writing, so there has to be more to it than that if you're going to be able to keep putting very much of yourself into it.

[Matt Probert]

Everytime I try to write I just end up blocked

Don't worry.

Walk away, have a beer. But keep a notebook handy to jot down the ideas that will come to you.

Matt

[Symphony7]

Excellent advice on writer's block. Thanks.

I have a content site with many (semi-related) micros within. That has helped as I can jump around among the topics as I feel like it. Also, I carry two blogs - one is just a day-to-day "life" thing that sometimes gets the juices flowing first thing in the morning. The second is a market-directed blog that leads back to the main site. It's a down-and-dirty, off-the-cuff style that's quick and can also fuel the desire to get back to the "authoritative" writing. Keeps things lively and diverse.

I also see a recent increased market that wants to buy articles, so that is a reasonable avenue. Right place, right time sort of thing.

[shigamoto]

Thanks for all the good advice, really appreciated it. I went with much of what you suggested and I managed to get an article finished this morning.

I will try to diversify more in the future so that I don't get bored. Thanks again!