Productive Periods for Writing

[LegendInMyOwnMind]

I find that I have blocks of time when the story ideas keep coming, and they form in my mind well enough to write.

I wrote my first two stories in about two months, ending in February 2018. Then I laid writing aside as I explored the beginning stages of my IRL relationship. One story in 2021, where I first used my now-ubiquitous last line: "Now stop reading and go out and get some good loving, and more importantly, give some."

Two more in 2022, one story, one "why I write" essay.

2023 produced four stories and a followup essay.

2024 provided story ideas, but nothing came of them. Dealing with my lady's alcohol relapse took up about the first half of the year. The last half was taken up with my health issues. By October, it was necessary for me to return to skilled nursing, having to be separated from the woman who is my wife in all but name, after four years together in assisted living under the Assisted Living Waiver program.

Early 2025 was marked by more health scares. Then, coming to terms with quite possibly never seeing my lady again face-to-face. But in November, the urge returned, and I wrote two more stories, and have just submitted a third. I don't think the urge is quiet yet.

Have any of you had productive periods interspersed with prolonged droughts?

 

[YmaOHyd]

Well.... I wrote about 85,000 words from the beginning of February to the end of March. From April to mid-November I wrote zero. And from mid-November to mid-December I've written close to 40,000. So.... yes? No real reasons for it, though.

 

[Voboy]

I write almost all my stories for the whole year during the fall and winter, and I'm not sure why.

 

[THBGato]

I seem to do find writing easier January to July (though not May), then struggle for the rest of the year.

 

[Writer61]

It entirely depends on whether I am working or not. As a freelancer, I oscillate between flat-out and job-hunting. There is only so much of the latter that I can do, so writing fills the rest of the time.