This has been a particularly hard week and I’m not sure why. The weather hasn’t been as hot as the past couple of weeks, we’ve gotten rain (a bit weird, but not unpleasant), and there hasn’t been any huge crises at work (*knock on wood*), but it’s still been a hard week. I’m exhausted and just feel like curling up with a book and a cup of tea and ignoring my writing. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels a bit hopeless or pointless or useless especially with everything bad happening that needs our attention. So today, I thought I’d share some things that have helped me keep writing and creating, just in case you may be having a bit of a difficult week, too.

So it’s probably no surprise here that I’m a big fan of Chuck Wendig’s blog, terribleminds. I find myself laughing and nodding in agreement in equal parts when reading his posts and save them to return to whenever I need a bit of a lift (or a kick in the pants). I wanted to share three with you that have been helpful to me. First, his post on ways to stay motivated. Second, “So, You’re Having a Bad Writing Day”which I think says it all. Third, PSA to Writers: Don’t Be a Shit-Flinging Gibbon, I just love the post title and it’s good advice (though hopefully you don’t need it).

A dear friend gave me Anne Lamott’s book, Bird by Bird, which I love so I had to share this article on 14 writing tips from Anne Lamott. Funny and useful writing advice, what more could we ask for?

And, whenever I really need a kick in the pants I repeat to myself what Stephen King wrote, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

So what inspires you on the days that are really, really tough for getting through the day and keeping on with your writing and creating? I’d love to hear about them.

I hope you keep writing and dreaming and creating because it is important and it does make the world a better place. Plus, momentum is a power thing. Making progress in my creative work always energizes me to get other things done and help out where I can. I wish you all the best in the sometimes fraught, busy, tiring, but occasionally amazing days ahead. We can do this, together. 🙂