Have you been doing any writing lately?

Have you ever felt like you had no more writing left in you? No more words? I would bet that all writers at some time or another felt that way. I definitely have.

A week or so ago, my uncle asked me if I was doing any writing lately. I wanted to hesitate and weigh the options for an answer, but instead I responded, “actually, I have.” And before he had a chance to ask anything further, I changed the subject, and my writing, or lack thereof, was dismissed.

A few thoughts raced through my mind. No was the initial answer because it was the truth. I haven’t actually written anything other than grocery and to-do lists, unless birthday and anniversary cards count. Then I thought I could alter the truth a bit, and tell him I was working on some smaller projects, nothing big like my memoir or latest novella. I say alter because although I haven’t actually been writing, I’ve been thinking a lot about my projects. I took a memoir workshop to help inspire me and not a day goes by that I don’t write pieces of my memoir in my head. Does that make sense?

Maybe I haven’t been able to write the words down. Maybe I haven’t felt strong or inspired enough to face my memoir or one of my fiction manuscripts. I haven’t even found the words for a new poem. Maybe a lot of people would disagree, especially people who aren’t writers, but when I thought about this altered truth, I realized that writing in my mind was actually writing. It is writing. There are no pages, no words to show others, but does that matter? I guess only if you’re a student or professional writer with assignments and deadlines. But a writer like me with everyday challenges and struggles is fine with daily thoughts and “mind writing.”

When I thought about it further, I realized I’ve always been a mind writer. Since I was a kid, I crafted poems and stories in my mind. Sometimes, I wrote them in my journal or for school assignments and sometimes I didn’t. I regret that some of those crafted mind words never saw paper, but that’s just a part of a writer’s life. I still love writing in my mind and I know that when those words need to see the page, they will.

All writers are mind writers. It’s nothing new or unusual. But I realized that when I’m questioned about my writing, most people want to hear or see the proof of writing. They want to hear that I’ve written down a new story or drafted a new version. Or they want to read my new blog post or buy my new novel. They want something they can see and touch. I know that most people would look at me like I was crazy if I told them I’ve been writing a lot in my mind. Or I’ve created visual inspirational boards for my novels and my memoir or making soundtracks for my characters. Those things don’t count to most people. Journal writing, sketching, attending writing workshops or taking walks in nature don’t mean anything either. But they’re all real and necessary for writers. And it’s all a part of the writer’s life.

So maybe the next time my uncle asks me if I’ve been writing, I’ll say yes. And maybe I’ll tell him the truth–that even though I have nothing to physically show him, I’ve been working hard. I’m always writing.

So tell me, have you been doing any writing lately?