7 Writing Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Being a writer comes with its own set of difficulties which can make the job tough, despite all its perks. Working independently on your own projects or having set projects to work on can be equally challenging. No matter your niche or writing preferences, there are certain difficulties every writer faces which can hinder their performance.
Whether you are new to this field or an experienced writer, you are surely looking for ways to overcomes come of the most common challenges. Here are some of these most common challenges and some tips and tricks you can start using in order to beat them.
Dealing with the writer’s block
One of the things that every writer is dreading is the famous writer’s block. Whether you are working on a new project or you are trying to come up with an idea, this problem can make you feel disoriented. Not being able to come up with new ideas is stressful and for some people, it can last for days or even weeks.
The best way to overcome this is to stop focusing your attention on this problem. If you feel stuck, you need to find a way to focus your attention on something else. The best thing you can do is pick up a book and listen to someone else’s ideas. A writer’s block won’t be easily combated if you continue stressing out about your lack of ideas for a project.
Not feeling creative enough
If you are not feeling creative when it comes to your writing, the best thing to do is try to find creativity in other forms. Whether you enjoy drawing, painting, knitting, or doing anything else that requires creativity, now is the time to do it. Sometimes we get so caught up in bot being able to do something that we forget just how good we are at other things.
Being creative doesn’t just have to revolve around one idea you need to work on for your project. Incorporating creativity in your writing can be done in various ways. If you are not able to express your thoughts, you can go ahead and draw them. Visualizing your ideas will always help you regain your creativity and give your work a new perspective.
Being isolated frequently
Being a writer can be a lonely job, especially if you work from home and not in an office. Sadly, most writers either work independently, remotely or as freelancers and this can cause this a lot of isolation. In many cases, being along for too long can impact your work and creativity levels negatively.
The best way to overcome this is to connect with friends and family more frequently. If you are more of an introvert, try to make time to meet up with friends you are close with on a weekly basis. You do not need to go far to feel less alone. Going to a nearby park or visiting them at their homes is a great way to reconnect and feel more social. Click here to learn more about our own writing community and how you can connect with other writers.
Not being productive enough
Working from home can negatively impact the work of every writer, especially those that are working on longer projects. Writing a book or any post that requires you to focus on one topic can be very tiring. Procrastination is a common enemy for all writers and can oftentimes be confused with the writer’s block.
Overcoming this issue can be done in a variety of ways. First and foremost, you need to keep your working space organized. This way, you can keep distractions at bay and only focus on working. In addition to this, you can set short-term goals which will motivate you to work on your projects more in order to achieve them. Smaller, more measurable goals can become the key to your productivity.
Having money problems
Starting out as a writer can be tough, especially if you have never worked with clients before or have never made a budget. Freelance work is demanding in regards to your financial obligations and even experienced people in the field face might difficulties with money.
Budgeting at the beginning of each month and keeping track of your income and expenses is important. Worrying about money will only make you upset and cause you to lose focus from your work. Therefore, the best thing you can do is keep it under control and not panic when times get rough. It will definitely take some time for you to build an audience and client base but when that happens, your finances will significantly improve.
Not having enough confidence in yourself
Another common issue between writers is a lack of confidence in their writing abilities and themselves in general. Even if someone is a very talented writer, they are very likely to believe that their work is not as good as it should be. Gaining confidence comes through successful collaborations with clients and positive feedback from your audience.
“What you need to remember if you are new is that faking confidence will help your work sell more. While you should not come off as arrogant, you need to market yourself and bring your work some exposure. The more you expose your work online, the easier it will be for you to start believing in your abilities and your talent,”- says Diana Adjadj, a contributing writer who often receives 'write my paper' requests.
Not getting enough rest
Last but not least, another common issue between writers is the lack of rest. Many writers will say that when they feel creative they get these big energy spikes and they feel like they could write for hours. While having a writer’s block is not ideal, working for hours on end is also not what you should aim for.
Getting enough sleep and eating well will help you have more energy and allow your thought process to work without issues. A big reason why many writers cannot connect their ideas properly is that their minds are not well-rested. The more relaxed your mind is, the easier it will be for you to notice good ideas and expand them accordingly.
Overcoming each challenge one step at a time
No matter your field, each professional will have to face certain difficulties when it comes to their jobs. Knowing how to work on each issue is very important when it comes to overcoming these challenges and making progress in your work.
The tips mentioned previously aim towards helping you acknowledge and overcome the different writing challenges you can face. Being a writer might be tough at times, but working through the issues can be very fulfilling and rewarding.
Recommended next step: Try our self-guided writing course, 30 Days to Create a Sustainable Writing Practice
