Have you ever run into a mental wall that’s threatened to stop your writing in its tracks? I’m not talking about regular old writer’s block — I’m talking about the scenario in which you know exactly what you want to write, but for some reason your brain just won’t let you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
Maybe you’re feeling like what you’re writing isn’t “good enough.” Maybe you’re questioning whether your story is even worth telling. Maybe your inner critic is telling you that finishing your book is just setting yourself up for rejection or that you’ve got some nerve to call yourself a writer at all.
If any of that sounds familiar, you need to know three things:
Your story is worth telling.
You have every right to call yourself a writer.
You’re not alone.
I’ve heard from quite a few authors lately that they’re struggling to write right now, even if they’ve been chugging along happily on their manuscripts for months. Suddenly, nothing. So I wanted to share a few strategies — some tactics, mostly mindset shifts — to help tear down those walls.
If You’re Worried about Being Good Enough…
If your problem is with that inner critic telling you your writing sucks or asking who you think you are to call yourself a writer, try reframing those negative thoughts.
If you’re halfway through your first draft and suddenly paralyzed by the suspicion that your writing isn’t good, remind yourself that a first draft isn’t supposed to be good. That’s why we have Anne Lamott’s concept of “shitty first drafts” and Terry Pratchett’s rule that “the first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” That’s why Ernest Hemingway said, “The only kind of writing is rewriting.”
Your inner critic may be flat wrong, and your writing may already be great. If not, you’ve still got plenty of time.
And as for whether you can call yourself a writer, well, you’re writing, aren’t you?
(If you’re still having trouble quieting your inner critic, try this improv strategy to shut her down.)
If You’re Questioning Your Story…
If you’re suddenly wondering whether your story is worthwhile, think back to what inspired it in the first place. This is the danger of any passion project, isn’t it? It gets difficult and we start questioning ourselves, and suddenly it turns into something we dread looking at every day. That’s not what writing should be about, and if you’re finding yourself avoiding your writing space or wondering why you’re even doing this, then it’s time to reset and rediscover that earlier passion.
How did you come up with the idea?
What got you so excited about it?
What do you want to tell the world with this book?
What made you fall in love with your protagonist or your plot or your world?
If you can find the spark that made you want to write this story and rekindle some of your initial enthusiasm, then you’re likely to find that writing becomes fun again. It will no longer be a chore, but something you’re excited to do every day. Something you do because you love it and you want to do it well — not just some job that you slog through day after day.
If You’re Worried about Rejection…
Traditional publishing is an incredible opportunity, and for many author’s that’s the dream. But in the traditional publishing world, rejection is a very real thing. There’s no hiding that. But here’s the good news: rejection doesn’t have to be the end of your story. (Pun absolutely intended, thank you very much.) Traditional publishing isn’t the only option, and it’s not even the only good option anymore. Authors who are willing to invest in their book and hustle for it (and if you’re reading this post, I believe you’re one of those authors) can create and distribute incredible, high-quality books on their own, and there are plenty of companies and consultants out there to help.
Besides, let me remind you of something important we tend to forget about rejection: it doesn’t necessarily mean your book isn’t good. It might mean the intern tasked with sifting through 750 query letters that day was hungry or in a bad mood or not a particular fan of your genre. So while acceptance from an agent means they recognized a great manuscript, a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean they thought yours was bad. It could mean they simply overlooked another great one.
(And, hey, remember that, whatever happens to it in the long run, the sheer act of writing a book is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. Don’t lose sight of that, and instead of worrying about what comes next, take a little time to celebrate the amazing thing you’re doing!)
If You’re Not Sure What the Problem Is…
If none of the above seems to be helping, or if you still haven’t figured out where this block is coming from, try a new approach. I won’t tell you to take a walk or draw a bath or paint your nails and wait for inspiration to strike. I don’t really believe that works for most of us. But I do find that when I’m stuck, changing up my routine can really help. If I put away my computer and pull out an old-school notebook and pen, or if I find a I new space for myself (in the pre-COVID times it was the café at BookPeople), I can usually get back into the groove pretty quickly. Whether it’s different tools, different apps, different rooms, or different times of day, changing up your approach may help you unlock your brain.
And finally, don’t pressure yourself too much right now. Whatever anybody’s employment status or political views or personal health situation, this is a weird time in the world, and I’ve heard from a lot of authors and other creatives that it’s really messing with their motivation. Whether you’re homeschooling for the first time, you’re nervous about your kids going back to school, you’re underemployed, you’re busier than ever, or you’re just plain anxious about the state of the world, give yourself a little grace. It’s perfectly okay to step away once in a while and deal with the other things in your life and your mind so you can come back to your book with a clear head.
What are your go-to strategies to get back on track when you feel imposter syndrome creeping up or the inner critic taking over? Comment below, or drop me a note to share your thoughts! And, if you’re looking for more strategies to overcome the mental blocks that are holding you back, I encourage you to download my free e-book on battling writers’s block.