A Message to Struggling Writers

Hi, 

Today I’m struck simultaneously by how grateful I am for the life I lead, and also how much I’m still struggling. It’s not just about the pandemic, or having been unemployed for 8 months last year (during which I started a business). It’s also not about the fact that there’s been so much social and political upheaval in the past 6 months, although that definitely hasn’t been easy either. 

No, the primary struggle for me is me. 

It’s about mindset and creativity and overwhelm and priorities. My creative writing has definitely felt the impact of all these things, and not in a good way. 

So today I wanted to share a message for other writers, like me, who are struggling: 

It’s okay to struggle. 

Likewise, it’s okay that not every day is a productive day. While it would be nice if all of us could crank out chapter after chapter of our dream novel, it’s okay that it doesn’t happen like that. Writing doesn’t have to be a game of who’s most prolific or who can write the most. It’s not a competition!

It’s one thing to have goals and celebrate achievements, but it’s another thing entirely to live and breath so much by the metrics that you feel stuck. You feel scared to “get behind” in your creative projects. This mindset can pretty effectively block creative thoughts from coming to us in the first place, which feels even worse! 

There’s too much pressure for writers to mimic the bestsellers in both pace and style. I’m over it, and I’m over it for you, too. Audience is important to think about as your writing, but creative ventures are also about their creators. If you’re not writing about what you love, or you don’t like what you’re writing, your specially picked audience will read right through it..

Editing doesn’t put passion back into flat writing. 

It’s also okay to walk away and take a break. It can be tricky to tell if you’re stuck in a rut or if you need to transition to a new project. It’s also really hard to walk away from something you love doing, even when you know it will help you be at your best for the next writing session. It’s okay, though. 

Taking a few days, or even a few weeks, off of your writing project doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It merely means you’re giving yourself a chance to breathe and create on your own terms. 

When you come back to your project after a break, or even before taking a break, it’s also okay to not know what’s next. Even if you have a detailed outline it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what would be the best piece to write next. For those of us who work a little more abstractly, sometimes we’re pulled in a clear direction of where to go and sometimes we’re not. It doesn’t mean our work is a lost cause, it just means we need to sit with our characters and get in their heads in a new way. 

Most of all, know that you are not alone. 

There are days where I wake up full of energy and creativity that goes straight to my novel. There are also days where I can barely do the writing I’m getting paid to do, let alone trying to have any conversations or think about my main character, Callie. 

No matter what the reasons are for your struggle, it’s okay. You’re not the only one, and it’s not forever. 

If you need help, or just want someone to chat with about the struggle (and just how real it is), reach out. Let’s chat. No strings attached or money involved. I find that often, after talking to other writers, I am not only bolstered about writing, but also just happier in general because we’ve talked about something we both love. 

It’s pretty cool. 

Let’s connect, okay? 

Yours in Struggle,