In graduate school, I wrote prolifically, but from about 1996 to 2016, I composed very little poetry. That 20-year lull might be the longest procrastination streak ever. Thankfully, a couple of friends persisted in asking, “What are you writing?” The answer was “nothing,” and that began to gnaw at me. By 2016, it bothered me so much that I started writing poetry again. The last four years have been fruitful, culminating recently in the publication of my first poetry collection, Some Electric Hum (Lamar University Literary Press, 2020). When I made the conscious decision to begin again, I was excited, but also apprehensive. Here are five strategies that helped me jump-start my writing and may help you, too.
- Examine why you stopped (and what you can change).
For me, a combination of circumstances snowballed. We moved to a new state soon after I finished grad school and I felt disconnected from my writing community. My new jobs, first in the newspaper business, and later as an English teacher, were all-consuming and exhausting. Just as important as understanding why I stopped was figuring out what I could change in order to get back on track. In 2016, I was still teaching and also heavily involved in other commitments at work. However, my kids were now grown and I had summers free. I had not taught summer classes for several years, but I was so out of the writing habit that I hadn’t utilized that time. I pledged to begin writing during the summer.
- Plan one or more intensive jump-starts.
Like jump-starting your car battery, an intense jolt may be just the thing to rev up your writing practice. A class, workshop, or conference are all great choices. You can also create your own writing getaways. I was rusty at generating ideas and felt shaky about drafting poetry. I had planned a birthday trip for my husband to Palo Duro Canyon in Texas in June and looked forward to spending the time with him. But I decided to also intentionally use that long weekend to observe, reflect, and take notes. That trip generated three poems, all eventually published. More importantly, it felt good to know I could still write. (Read two of those poems here: “Fireflies” and “Invasive Species”.)
A friend and I also put together our own writing retreat. We booked an Airbnb and packed copies of literary journals, books, and poetry prompts. Each of us worked separately during the day; then around 5 p.m. we’d adjourn to the living room and discuss our writing over a glass of wine. Whatever you choose, a few intensive, focused sessions can help you get back into a writing groove quickly and boost your confidence.
- Prioritize your writing.
William Stafford famously rose at 5 a.m. and wrote a poem every morning. If a schedule helps you, great. But that doesn’t work for me. I don’t write every day, but I’ve found other ways to prioritize my craft. One thing that ate up my summers previously was an ongoing backyard landscaping project. I enjoyed it, but I decided I would rather write. I resigned from a community board I’d served on for 10 years—it was someone else’s turn to contribute. I’ve learned to be more conscious of how I use my time and to say no when necessary.
- Invest in your writing.
Of course, you need to invest time, but you may also find it helpful to invest money. As I began to submit more poetry for publication, a paid subscription to Duotrope saved me many hours when planning and tracking submissions. Those saved hours became writing hours. And as I worked on a book manuscript, I knew I’d need a website to publicize it. While plenty of free options exist, I chose to spend a bit for a paid version to get a more professional look and to make sure readers could easily find it (www.janicenortherns.com).
One of the best investments in my own writing has been to invest financially in the writing of others. This is something anyone can do, no matter how tight the budget. Subscribe to a journal or two. (I like to enter contests that include a year’s subscription to the journal as part of the entry fee.) Buy as many poetry collections as you can afford, whether that’s one a year, or ten. Reading and taking notes on published work helps me grow as a poet and never fails to inspire me if I get stuck. I usually spend 30 minutes or more reading someone else’s poetry before I begin a writing session.
- Finally, see your break as an asset.
I have misgivings about my long hiatus, but there are also pluses. After extended time away from the craft, I am excited about writing, not burned out. I’m also in a better place emotionally to tackle some difficult subjects I shied away from in the past. Do I wish I’d spent the last 20 years writing poetry? Honestly, yes. But I could have settled in with my regrets, thinking too much time had passed, and never written another poem. Instead, four years later, I have a new book out, and I am already at work on a second collection. Whether it’s been months or years, it’s not too late to jump-start your writing.
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