We all have our moments. 

Many can relate to that feeling of just sitting there with the intention to get some work done. And doing absolutely nothing useful.

We often leave with hands, hopes and dreams as empty as your mind defaults to become the second you sit down with the intent to do something important.

And it can all get incredibly infuriating.

But never fear - giving up is the only sure way to fail. Today I want to share with you all of my personal tips and tricks to help you along your way, or better put; How to Not Give Up in Frustration.

-

1. Don't have too many ongoing projects at once.

This is the mortal enemy of commitment. The 'Shiny New Idea'.

One project often feels like too much to manage alone. Sometimes you get used to, or maybe lose interest slightly in your current ideas. Maybe you just can't think; you're stuck. Maybe your ideas are not new enough, or maybe it's just this amazing new idea you've just had. 

It's so fresh, so perfect - just like every other time you've had a new idea in the middle of working on something else.

My only advice is: just don't.

It can often feel like you can manage everything. But don't take on more than you can handle. New ideas can also function as distractions, detrimental to all of your current progress, especially if it really means something to you.

One project alone should be reasonable enough to work on until it's done. It gives you something to focus on and focus all of your effort into.

-

2. If you're writing and find yourself stuck in the middle of a scene, do not stop.

Never stop. Do not delete. Go directly there. Do not pass Go. Just keep swimming.

Stopping and and abandoning ship when stuck in the middle of a scene can be a fatal move and once in, a tricky situation to get out of.

When you come back later, you might not be as refreshed as hoped. You could find yourself in a total mess, unable to formulate a single sentence of the dreaded question of 'What Happens Next?'

If in doubt, just keep trying to write.

Don't take a break. Don't go back and read what you've just written.

Do ask yourself "What could possibly go wrong?" and write exactly how it does. Kill someone. Switch the POV. Make a bullet point action plan. Have your characters think about what to do next. Start writing the next scene. Just keep going.

-

3. When you just can't get going, try something interesting.

Throw a little shade on it all. Throw someone into a volcano. Do something that not even you could possibly expect.

There are so many things you can do, even when you yourself feel trapped.

If your character is trapped, send in some back-up. Set up a meeting on what to do. A normal day? Everything suddenly goes black.

You know what they say; if in doubt, knock someone out. 

-

4. Try to stay positive.

If you so firmly and despondently believe that you can't do it, you probably can't.

Positivity can be a drive for a lot of people, a source of energy. Happiness and satisfaction are great things to follow, to drive you forwards. But sometimes, it's hard to stay positive.

Try to keep your spirits up. Drink some water and eat something nice. Look up some inspirational and interesting quotes and think about why you are doing this. 

Think about how far you've come, and let this be a reason to drive you further.

-

And finally:

5. The Internet is your friend.

So use it.

The Internet is filled with so many ideas from so many talented people. People post all sorts of interesting content to help aspiring writers and anyone who is struggling, or feeling particularly uninspired.

Sentence starters, scene prompts, naming ideas, tips and tricks for every genre and situation possible, you name it, it's out there on the Internet.

News articles and social media groups can also be particularly helpful. Forming a group of like-minded people with similar goals in mind can be incredibly beneficial. Sites such as Tumblr have entire blogs dedicated to writing tips and answering questions on what to do.

Hopefully, you have taken something from all of this. Articles such as this can help guide you along the road to success, but in the end, it all comes down to you, and how far you are willing to push yourself.

- Amy Read, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Young Reporter