On some days, you’ll open the laptop and go: “Whoa. I’ve got nothing.” But even that nothing is still something upon closer inspection.
In my case, after ten years of writing almost daily, I have plenty of proof that I can always tell a story as long as I keep digging. Therefore, “I’ve got nothing” isn’t a lack of inspiration. It’s resistance to the work of digging. Usually, that resistance is there for a good reason, and usually, the reason is that I’m not feeling well. It might be a cold or a stomachache or a lack of sleep, but it’s rarely desire that’s missing.
Of course, your reason for “I’ve got nothing” may be very different. It could be burnout, the wrong task, or some other hidden frustration. Whatever the ultimate cause turns out to be, remember that nothing is still something—and that every something is worth investigating.
