by Kristin Savage
“The pen is mightier than the sword,” as long as that pen is filled with ink, has paper upon which to write, has someone moving that pen, and has others to read what that pen writes.
Aye, there’s the rub. The challenges for writers are real and encompass all of the above.
So, let’s take a look at some of those most common challenges and some ways in which they can be met.
1. Lack/Loss of Confidence
It’s real. You’ve faced multiple rejections by publishers; your self-published works are not getting the play you hoped for, even though you have a strong marketing plan; you are beginning to doubt that you can really make a living as an author.
Doubt and lack of confidence are built upon fear – fear that you don’t have what it takes; fear that you can’t make enough to sustain your basic needs. It feeds upon itself and is an internal thing, not a matter of your talent or skill. And it can be deadly.
You have to change your mindset, and that is difficult. Look at other elements of your life. You have successes, to be sure. Remind yourself of those successes, and dwell upon them.
Here’s another option. Until you get your groove back in gear, try a different type of writing. Write a few blog posts and submit them for publication on popular blogs.
Earning some money via these other venues can help to restore your sense of confidence, and you can still work on your latest novel as well.
2. Running Out of Ideas
You may have several published works in your writing genre – let’s say romantic fiction. You are now running low on ideas for plot lines and/or characters that will be unique and appealing to your established audience. Where do you go for these ideas?
Look around you. Sometimes, real life situations will give you some great ideas. Look at situations of your friends and family members; access social media accounts of celebrities and their personal lives; look at the current newsworthy trends (Coronavirus; Black Lives Matter; political scandals, etc.). All of these things may give your ideas for the backgrounds upon which you can build a piece of romantic fiction.
Consider starting a series that features the same characters that you have already developed in previous works. Put them in new situations, based upon current news trends. How would they respond in the midst of current political, economic, or social issues, for example? Or might there be a specific news item that will provide an idea for a plotline? Keep your eyes and ears open, look around you, and those ideas just may come to you.
3. Distractions
Most writers do work among lots of potential distractions, usually in their homes. While they may have their own private space, there is never a foolproof way to fully get away from the rest of the household.
There are also self-imposed distractions, however. These can be anything from worries or concerns about other personal matters to the temptation to get online and “play” on social media.
Take a break for a bit and identify what it is that is distracting you. Are you worried about money? Do you have a child struggling at school? Are you in a relationship that is troubling? Which of these issues can you actually do something about? If you can take some action, do it. If you can’t, then you have to let it go – hard, but necessary.
If your distraction relates to your internet activity, then get a tool that blocks you from access for periods of time. It may be effective, and you can look forward to those break times when you can stop writing and go online. You might consider buying an additional laptop that you don’t connect to the Internet. Use it for your writing only.
4. Writer’s Block
Who has not experienced this? It’s hardly worth mentioning that it’s a challenge.
You have no motivation; you don’t know what to write; you can’t muster up any ideas. If this hangs on too long, it can be dangerous. So, you will want to look at some quick fixes:
- Get away from your keyboard. Just don’t even try to write at this point. Sitting there can only lead to anxiety and loss of confidence
- Get some physical exercise. This will induce the product of endorphins – those feel-good hormones that will pick up your mood.
- Get together with friends for social activities. Again, this will stimulate those endorphins.
- Read – read a lot. This can generate some new thoughts and ideas that could stimulate some writing
Estelle Leotard, a writer and editor for TrustMyPaper, says that writer’s block is a frequent challenge: “Perhaps I am more susceptible to writers’ block than most, but I also know how to deal with it now. I get on it right away, because, if I don’t it lingers. And that lack of productivity affects my pocketbook. Rather than trying to push through it, I stop and walk away. One of the best “cures” for me is to get out in a public place and people watch for some time. Make up stories about the people I watch, and that always gets my juices flowing again.”
5. Isolation
Life as a writer can be lonely. You work all on your own, while others work in an office environment with co-workers around to talk to. It’s easy for that isolation to get the best of you once in a while, and it will impact your productivity.
When you feel that sense of aloneness, you need to get out among others and have some normal social activities. Another option is to do some volunteer work. Find a cause that is dear to you, and get involved – an animal shelter, a hospital that treats kids with cancer, a senior citizen center, an environmental group, etc.
You can also join a local networking group. Most are made up of entrepreneurs and small business owners, and they have regular meetings.
Join online writers’ groups and forums. They can become great support groups when you are facing any of the challenges listed here, but especially that of isolation.
6. Marketing
Authors are not marketers. Let’s face it. Learning how to market your works involves a learning curve that can be lengthy, bumpy, and tough to manage. You will have to learn marketing over time, and it can be frustrating when your efforts are not resulting in book sales.
You need to connect with other authors who are successfully marketing their books. They will help you do such things as define your target audience, find out where they hang out online, and what type of marketing strategies will work best with that target group.
7. Caring for Self
How much sleep are you getting in a 24-hour period? Many authors keep odd hours. They may hit a “high” and write for hours, without regard for time. Check how much sleep you are actually getting on average. There have been a number of studies done on the ideal amounts of sleep, and you should follow their recommendations – 7-8 hours a night will keep your mind alert and allow you to focus. Arianna Huffington, of Huffington Post, has even published a book on her own experiences with a lack of sleep. There is sound advice in her work.
Other aspects of caring for yourself include diet and exercise. There are even studies that point to the lack of focus and productivity resulting from lack of hydration.
In short, there are absolute correlations between health and productivity – heed the advice.
These Seven…
You are probably experiencing more than just these seven challenges. If you have one or more not mentioned here, or if you have found strategies to meet them head-on, respond to this post and provide your input!
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About the Author: Kristin Savage nourishes, sparks and empowers using the magic of a word. Now she works as a freelance writer at BestEssayEducation and GrabMyEssay, Kristin also does some editing at SupremeDissertations. Along with pursuing her degree in Creative Writing, Kristin was gaining experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in marketing strategy for publishers and authors. You can find her on Facebook.