5 Ways you can “Write” without Writing

However much I may want to write, there are times it just isn’t happening and this can make me feel like a failure. People often think writers write no matter what, bashing out their perfectly plotted story, full of well-rounded characters that always behave with no issues whatsoever. Aha aha aha.

But really, writing is much much more than putting words onto paper. That’s just the end result. Here are five ways you can still be “writing” without, you know, writing.

1. Thinking

You’re thinking about your WiP aren’t you? Well then you’re writing. Writing takes a huge amount of cognitive effort, so don’t underestimate the importance of just thinking. Even if you’ve planned everything out, you’ll continue to ruminate. You’ll think about scenes and dialogue, and that perfect turn of phrase. Thinking is arguably the most important part of writing.

2. Observing

Writers are kind of nosy. Whether we admit to it or not, what we see and hear feeds into our work. I’m not suggesting you earwig on every conversation, but don’t be afraid to remake what you observe. Just be careful about including actual people you know!

3. Reading

I’m sure you’ve heard this before – if you want to be a good writer, you have to be a good reader. Most writers are bookworms anyway. It’s how we grew to love words, so asking us to read more shouldn’t be tricky. But it can be hard to find time for it, and we can all be guilty of only reading our favourite genre or sticking to a tried and tested author. But it’s worth pushing out of your comfort zone every now and then. If you like horror, try romance. Is crime your thing? Pick up a sci-fi. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t – it all helps you build your writing skills.

4. Networking

Whether it be face-to-face in a writing group, online in a writing forum, or on social media, talking with other writers can be very worthwhile. You can get support, advice and even make some friends.

5. Creating

Getting creative in ways other than writing can stimulate your imagination and, even unconsciously, feed back into your writing. Drawing, cooking, crafting, or even belting out a few tunes can help flex your creative muscles.

So the next time you feel guilty because you haven’t written for a while, give yourself a break. You’re probably doing more ‘writing’ than you think!

What else do you think of as writing? Let me know in the comments.

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