Goodreads asked Sarah McCoy:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Sarah McCoy When I feel like I can’t write, it’s usually a sign that my characters need more gestational time-- quiet development and growth. They aren’t ready to be born on the page yet. If I force the story into the world too early, I risk damaging it irrevocably. So if I'm unable to write, I use that period as an opportunity to dig deeper into the historical research and to read copiously. I believe part of being a good writer is being a good learner. You've got to view yourself as an information sponge in the world, soaking in all the emotions, facts, psychology, culture, etc. that you can in order to properly create your story world.

I never sit and stare at the sky waiting for inspiration to strike. That isn't my kind of writing religion. I'm of the hard-work, hard-won, utilitarian writing tribe.

I ascribe to Ann Patchett's philosophy. In an interview she compared being an author to her husband’s occupation as a doctor or any other job. My husband is a doctor, too, so it struck a chord with me. He can’t wake up and decide he’s just not in the mood to go into the operating room. Whether or not I ‘feel the writing mojo’ is inconsequential. The work remains. Patchett put it perfectly, as she always does: “… if you work, you just work , and sooner or later, you’ll get through it.”

So simple, so brilliant, so true. I advocate that straightforward work ethic in my own life and highly recommend all of Ann's work. She's one of my literary she-roes.

Here's the full quote I mentioned above: http://writeplacewritetime.tumblr.com...

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