Writing on Empty: How I Create When I Feel Everything and Nothing at Once
There are seasons when writing feels like flying. And there are seasons when writing feels like clawing your way through fog. This post is for the latter. Whether you’re navigating burnout, low energy, high sensitivity, emotional overload, or just the foggy numbness that sometimes rolls in unannounced… this is how I write when it feels like I can’t.
You’re not blocked. You’re full. You just need space to reorganize the weight of what you’re carrying.
What does "writing on empty" look like for me?
Honestly? It’s a lot of negotiating with myself.
Some days I celebrate writing 15 words—because it isn’t zero. Some days, I write in bursts between deep breaths, naps, or crying on the floor. There’s a constant tug-of-war between "I don’t wanna" and "I need to write the things."
I’ve learned to lean into more self-care and frequent breaks, and to remind myself that rest is part of the process. I light a candle, sip my favorite tea, and let even a sentence be enough.
Navigating the Inner Critic on Low-Energy Days
My inner critic? Loud. Mean. Relentless.
When I feel it start to spiral, I try to get quiet. I curl up in a blanket. I binge-watch a comfort show with my husband. I resist the urge to spiral with it. Instead, I shift into gentleness… into something that won’t let me wallow too long.
High-sensitivity days aren’t writing failures. They’re signals to move differently.
Tools, Words, and Comforts That Help
Walking away—literally
Tea, always
Music that feels like my characters
Nature, especially thunderstorms or wind
Gentle movement or stillness
I also try to keep something nearby that reminds me of why I write… an object, an essential oil, a snippet, or a quote. Something that anchors me.
When Writing While Raw Surprises You
There’s a particular kind of honesty that surfaces when I write from emotional rawness.
Poetry has always been my outlet in those moments. Years ago, while helping a friend through something painful, I found myself processing through words. Here’s a piece I wrote during that time:
Some days
he made her coffee
Some days
he made her cry
He gave her
some pieces of his heart
And some days
tore hers to pieces
Sometimes
he made the bed
Sometimes
he laid with strangers
He gave her
reasons to stay
And even more
reasons to leave
To the Writer Who Feels Stuck…
First: You’re not broken. There’s nothing wrong with you.
This isn’t a fix-it guide. But I do want to offer you one tool that’s helped me time and again:
Change the Scenery
Yes—literally. Or within your manuscript.
When I was stuck while writing The Christmas Witch, I left the room. I made tea. Took a few deep breaths. Sometimes I just tidied a corner of the room. Gave myself a reset. And more often than not, the words came back before my tea was even steeped. Other times, I changed scenes completely. Instead of pushing through a tough chapter, I let myself write a moment I was excited about.
Suddenly, new ideas appeared. Plot twists I hadn’t planned. Fresh energy. We don’t always need to push through. Sometimes we just need to pivot.
So if you’re feeling stuck, try this:
Step away for 5–15 minutes
Write out of order
Move your body
Tend to something simple
And remember: You’re not blocked. You’re full. You just need space to reorganize the weight of what you’re carrying.
Let the spark return on its own time. You’re doing better than you think.
Dalea
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