To The Writer Who Isn’t Writing

Dear Frustrated Writer,

I see you. I get you. I am you. And if I’m not you, I miss reading your words.

You want to write. But you’re too busy, too stressed. There aren’t enough hours in the day. And oh look, Netflix.

You got a rejection letter. You suck at this (you don’t, though). You’re writing at the edge of your desk. You don’t even have a desk.

You write on your lap. On the bus. When your kid is at dance class.

You have things to say, but no time to say them. It’s all been said before (but not by you).

You want to write, but you’re exhausted.

You have to work, you have to make dinner.

You have to go out with your friends, because you’re stressed, because you miss them. Because there will be food you don’t have to cook.

You want to write, but you have kids. They need toast. They’re flooding the bathroom.

You want to write, but you have visitors. You want to write, but your family thinks all your words are about them.

You want to write, but you don’t have a home office, or a sea view.

You write in the kitchen. The refrigerator is running, the dryer is beeping, the de-humidifier is doing what ever it does.

Is there a pen? Where are all the pens?

You want to write, but you have anxiety. This is crap. Will it always be crap?

No.

You want to write, but you don’t have the head-space.

Write to make room for more thoughts.

You want to write, but the phone is ringing. What’s for dinner? Do shopping lists count as writing? Will there be snacks?

Yes.

You get inspired at the grocery store, write on your receipt.

You want to write, but you have an appointment.

Write notes on your phone in the waiting room.

You want to write, but your friends don’t write. No one understands you. But you understand you.

And find new friends.

Am I a writer if I don’t get paid? Am I a writer if I don’t have a book deal?

I think so.

You’re a writer, but you’re not writing. For reasons. For all those reasons. For pretty good reasons.

But you’re frustrated.

Because you think in prose, and memories. You think in sentences.

And even if your family won’t shut up, the words in your heart are louder. Let them out.

You’ve been writing since you could hold a crayon. And honestly you thought you’d have had a few books published by now.

But your book spines don’t line any shelves. Yet.

Give up?

No.

For reasons. For all those reasons.

Because you’re a writer. Even if you haven’t written in a while. And even if you have to write about not writing to get back in the groove.

Even if you need some writing prompts to set you off.

Do you have ten minutes?

Do you have a pen? Or a screen? Crayons work, too.

Write something. And keep going.

Because I want to read your book. But you have to write it first.

What are you going to write today?