Why Aren't You Writing?
By Allen and Linda Anderson

You may be telling yourself that not having enough time is the reason you have stalled or not started your writing engine. This may be true. With what is happening in your life right now or in this cycle of your creativity, you may need to take a break for awhile.

For many people, though, time is not the problem.  Other factors are causing or contributing to their inability to keep writing.  Look at the checklist below.  It includes five of the top reasons (other than time) that people don't write.


You have a case of "I am not worthy" syndrome.  You aren't convinced that anything you would write is worth reading.

SOLUTION: If you don't want people to read what you write, make a note to yourself and put it at your computer and in your notebooks.  It says, "For my eyes only."  As you gain confidence, you will become more comfortable sharing your writing with others.


Writing is not a priority in your life. You have time but you spend it in other ways that are more meaningful to you or that don't require so much introspection.

SOLUTION: Accept that writing doesn't interest you, and your motivation for it is low.  Perhaps another form of creative expression will engage you more at this stage in your life.  Or look at the other items on this checklist for reasons why you haven't made writing a priority.


You don't want to think about painful memories.  The writing project you started is bogged down because it makes you too uncomfortable.

SOLUTION: Switch to writing about happy memories.  Give yourself a break.  Then go back to writing about the more painful ones.

Your fear is that someone will read what you wrote and a) think it stinks, b) be offended or shocked, c) laugh at the wrong things.

SOLUTION: Accept that in writing for publication, all of these things can happen, but none of them are the end of the world.

It's always been difficult for you to sit still and focus on any task that requires concentration or isolation.

SOLUTION: Write in short bursts.  Set a timer.  Get yourself used to writing quickly until you can gradually expand the amount of time you spend on writing.

These factors can all be stopping you from writing.  Once you have acknowledged and started to deal with them, lo and behold, you'll find yourself making time and space for writing.