Stuck in a difficult writing relationship? It may be time to get lost

The jokes aren’t as funny anymore.

The juicy ideas have gone dry.

You miss that tingle of anticipation when the words start to flow.

As BB King sang it way back in 1970, "The thrill is gone, baby."

It’s time to get lost

Writing in public is like a committed relationship

And sometimes it’s like you’re singing a love-gone-wrong song. You’re in a relationship with a significant other - your creative work - and you’re committed to showing up and sharing even when the thrill is gone.

An ancient verse suggests losing yourself in your relationship with your spouse. It’s a deep form of empathy. But stepping into someone else’s shoes requires you to step out of your own. It’s new territory. It can be uncomfortable and disorienting.

Here are three ways to lose yourself in your writing relationship:

1. Look at what’s resonating with others - in the news, popular culture, the internets. What has people’s attention - preferably the unfamiliar stuff. Dig into it, and try to understand, then start writing.

2. Talk to someone with a problem related to your subject matter. For example, if you write for software developers, talk to one and learn what’s troubling them. Then, do some homework and write something helpful.

3. Read reviews of great books related to your topic and see why people think they’re great. Then find ways to elaborate on those elements.

When you lose yourself in your audience, you’ll find new insight and ideas for your writing.

Before long, you might even find your fingers doing a little love dance across the keyboard, thinkin...

Ain't love sweet?