Writing When You Don’t Want To but Need To

Do you ever get stuck while trying to write something? Writer’s block happens to every author at one time or another, even the famous ones. Your mind gets clouded or crowded, and the ideas and words just won’t flow. But what if the real problem was not just a head problem but a heart problem. What if the real issue was that you knew what you needed to write, but you weren’t sure if you wanted to write it? I’m talking with an author right now who, from time to time, writes blog posts on a certain topic she hates writing about. But, wouldn’t you know it, these blasted entries elicit a great number of passionate responses every time. In fact, readers keep asking her when she is going to write a book about it. As her agent, I’m walking with her down this path, trying to figure out if any publisher is interested in such a book. If not, my author’s off the hook. If so, she will willingly but reluctantly dive in to this project that will be very draining to create. The old saying goes, “Love your job and you’ll never work a day in your life.” But does that translate to this scenario? Have you ever had to write something that you didn’t want to write? What did you do? How did it turn out? And what kind of response did you get? I’d love to hear about it.