Overcoming Writer’s Block

Procrastination, Interruptions and Self-discovery

Hi there,

Do all writers find it so hard to start writing?

The Struggle to Start Writing

I seem to look for excuses not to start. Oh, I need to ring that company that still hasn’t delivered something I ordered ages ago. Or: Is there something in the garden that I should be doing? Or: The dog would love some time and attention. Even: I really need to tidy my room.

A writer torn between playing with his dog or writing

Exploring the Excuses

The excuses are legion. Underlying the procrastination may be: ‘Sure what would I write?’ ‘Why bother writing?’ ‘What do I have to say?’

The Importance of Writing to Identity

I need to write. It is deep in my identity. It’s a huge part of who I am. In some senses, when I write, I exist. I’m an observer of myself. By reading the words, I see me. I am me.

I Write, Therefore I Am

The written word is evidence of my existence, to me. I manifest myself. I begin to understand who I am. I write, therefore I am.

Descartes said: ‘Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am.’ Armstrong says: ‘Scribo, ergo sum. I write, therefore I am!’

Life's Distractions and Commitments

Before writing, I’ve feelings, irritations, exasperations, memories, experiences, perceptions. But by committing words to the page, I acknowledge, respect, and respond to them. I gain distance from them. I have them: they don’t have me.

By writing I can interrogate thoughts and feelings, and find solutions to manage and master challenges. I can see problems objectively and find solutions.

Major Projects and Responsibilities

I started this year committed to recording the audiobook of my second memoir. We make plans. Then, life happens. Legitimate things needed attention which diverted me from my stated goal.

The Balance Between Life and Writing

It’s been a year of big indoor and outdoor projects: researching, planning, and planting our Little Wood of 30 trees. Planting and managing two native Irish hedgerows in a field. Upgrading our well and water treatment system. Draining land in the field, adjacent to our garden, where water gathered in heavy rains. Changing our boiler and fixing two leaks. Demolishing and dismantling an old shed. And felling five ash trees and splitting the wood about six months ago.

Sometimes the writer has to stop writing and do some actual gardening!

Personal Growth and Health

There have been other smaller projects too, like cutting huge branches off an oak in the garden, felling another moderately sized ash tree—I’d done my research and it landed in exactly the right spot—cleaning the windows, gutters, and soffits, and maintaining and managing normal household and garden tasks.

So it has been a summer of renewal, when writing and recording an audiobook has, of necessity, been deferred.

Wellness at 62

Being 62, the age my father died, I also chose to do health screening. The outcomes were encouraging. I’ve a beautiful heart, the cardiologist told me, as he showed me a video of my sure and steady beating heart. The nurse who had done the echo test used the same phrase.

Achievements and Health Milestones

I’ve excellent hearing. My weight is as it should be. With my new glasses acquired this summer, I’ve 20/20 vision. I do Pilates, which has strengthened my core. I’m back cycling, which is healthy. I walk, play with, and train our collie, Paddy, an ever-primed dynamo of canine energy.

Moments of Joy and Renewal

So it’s been, and remains, a summer of renewal and affirmations, of projects and completions; with still more projects remaining. For instance, while the old shed is demolished and dismantled, the new shed has yet to arrive.

Adventures in Connemara

Ruth and I had a lovely holiday in Connemara, with our friends Mary and Roberta. I’ve always loved Connemara, West Galway, with its stone walls and rocks, the red fuchsia-filled roadsides, the mountains, lakes, islands, and wild Atlantic coastline.

Map of Connemara, on West Coast of Ireland. Lake and mountains and picture of Ruth, Joe and Paddy the dog. Photos (c) Joe Armstrong

Finding Inspiration in Nature and Travel

Ruth and I (and Paddy) took a boat and spent a day on Inishbofin. It was glorious! The sun shone. We drank coffee by the quayside café and, after a short walk passing a beach and watching sheep being shorn, we discovered a gorgeous eatery where we enjoyed an impressive lunch.

Map of Inishbofin, Ruth on a beach on the island and Joe and Ruth on the ferry arriving at the island. Photos (c) Joe Armstrong

Omey Island

On one of the days, heading off on my bike, I cycled across the tidal beach, where horseracing is held, to Omey Island. I found it thrilling cycling the island, abandoning my bike at one point to climb a heather-strewn hill and beheld a panorama of untamed land, mountains, islands, and ocean; hearing birds calling, bees buzzing and the distant laughter of children on a beach.

Map of the tidal island of Omey and pictures taken on the island of islands, cattle and a bird on the wing. Photos (c) Joe Armstrong

Living Life to the Fullest

Let’s live our one and only life to the full!

Happy days,

Joe

P.S. Congratulations to all who are participating in the Olympics! And well done Ireland!

P.P.S. Have a listen to our newest song, So Glad I Married You!

Saved by a Woman is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardback editions.

In My Gut, I Don’t Believe is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, Hardback and Audible editions.

If you go to Amazon and it says a particular edition isn’t available, simply change the domain name or territory in the URL or address bar. For instance, change "Amazon.co.uk" to "Amazon.com" or "Amazon.de" etc.

You can listen to fascinating questions about godlessness at the launch of the first memoir, In My Gut, I Don’t Believe, on the Losing My Religion Podcast or watch it on YouTube.

You can listen to more fascinating questions at the launch of Saved by a Woman on the Losing My Religion Podcast or the Joe the Human post and Podcast.

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Happy days,

Joe