by Daphne Gray-Grant

I really struggled with writing the last two issues of Power Writing. (I’m hoping you didn’t notice.) Ironically, those issues focused on the topic of Deliberate Practice — a series of habits designed to make your writing better.

I’ve been free from writer’s block for so long, I’d completely forgotten the gnarliness of the beast. News flash: it’s still alive and as horrible as ever.

My woes began with the issue you received on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Here’s what happened: As always, I started with a mindmap. I noticed my ideas didn’t flow as readily as normal, but, regardless, I finished it and started writing. But instead of seeing my fingertips sprint across the keyboard, I noticed they traveled reluctantly, a bit like a group of six-year-olds being herded into a doctor’s office for immunizations.

Shortly after noticing that, I discovered I was doing what I’ve instructed all of you to avoid.

“What to do when your writing process fails you” by Daphne Gray-Grant, excerpted with highlighting.