why writing is like ice-fishing

Dear writers, 

A writing professor of mine used to compare the writing process to ice fishing. When a writer first tries to get into the writing zone, they're like a fisherman who has to drill through a thick layer of ice to get to the water underneath. 

With that initial hard work done, the writer can finally begin writing. However, like the ice fisherman, the writer must be careful not to abandon their work for too long. 

If a fisherman leaves his fishing hole for a day or so, when he returns he'll only need to chip through a thin layer of ice to access the water. But if he leaves it for days or weeks on end, when he returns he'll have to sweat through the process of drilling through a thick layer of ice yet again. 

It's the same for writers--if we leave our work for long periods of time, it's harder to connect with it when we return, and we feel more stress and anxiety when beginning to write. 

That's why it's important to touch base with your work frequently. Don't let the ice accumulate. If you can't write daily, make it a point to spend time with your writing a few times a week, even if it's just for a ten-minute writing session. 

I know how hard it can be to stick to a writing routine when you're working in isolation--so if you’re looking for help sticking to your writing routine, check out Creative Community, my free group for writers where we meet together for twice-monthly writing sessions.

Looking for even more support around creating and maintaining a strong writing practice? Sign up for a free consultation with me to discuss your biggest writing dreams, your current writing challenges, and the strategies and mindsets that can help you attain your lifelong writing goals.