Oct 17, 2022
When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. -Harriet Beecher Stowe
Dear Writers,
Lately, I’ve been hearing from a lot of amazing writers who have been feeling discouraged with their writing. When we get discouraged, we take fewer chances. Feel less joy. Let’s talk about how this happens and then take some action to get back on track.
Why does discouragement hit us?
Sometimes, it’s a rejection. Or rejections. Even though you know everyone gets them.
Or maybe you just got a tough critique that left you without motivation. Or even a path.
Maybe you are feeling angry about something else.
Or the politics are scaring you.
Maybe you feel invisible in the creative world.
Or you have been writing and/or creating art for a long time and no longer know when your story is ready to go out.
Or you feel like everyone else is succeeding, while you are trying and failing and trying again and not getting anywhere.
Maybe you are thinking about quitting.
Maybe you feel alone. Distracted. Angry.
Maybe you are just feeling completely, utterly STUCK.
Friends, we ALL feel that way sometimes.
At one point or another, we all feel like we’ll never get there. Wherever there is.
I know YOU know that determination is mandatory in this biz. But I also know that sometimes, it simply feels like A LOT. Or too much.
So, today, let’s make an action plan.
In the past, how have you gotten yourself get back on track?
How do we reclaim hope? And joy? And fun in our writing/creativity? How do we ignore bad reviews? Or unkind comments? Or that feeling of being ignored or looked over? Or targeted?
Are you ready to stretch? Reach? Groan? Embrace the power of play?
Maintaining the joy in your writing is no easy feat. But luckily, there are lots of things you can do to dig yourself out of the writing doldrums (in no particular order):
1. Put your head down. Focus on your story. This is the story that should give you joy. So take it!
2. Be kind….to YOURSELF. You know how the airline says, “Put your own oxygen mask on first?” Well, before you help/support others, you have to help yourself. (Thanks again, Skyler Schrempp, for that analogy! Also: check out Skyler’s amazing debut novel, Three Strike Summer!)
Thank yourself every time you show up to write. Reward yourself, too. NOTHING good happens unless you show up.
3. It’s okay to ask for support. From friends. Family. Colleagues. This support is not just for your writing…it is for you. Your heart. Your effort. Your goals.
And while you are at it, if someone is needling you, it’s okay to be polite and NOT listen. That goes for the news. If the news is getting to you, turn it off.
4. Write what makes YOU happy. Write what excites you. Or what terrifies you. Or what annoys you. Write for your own satisfaction first. No matter what happens, writing what feeds you will leave you feeling accomplished.
When I am feeling discouraged, I do a writing sprint. I write as fast as I can for 30-60min. Or I do pomodoros.
5. Step away from the things that don’t work for you. But don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid NOT to fail! If you never fail, you aren’t reaching for anything big.
6. Next time you get tough feedback or rejections, thank yourself for trying. Pinpoint at least one thing that feels exciting or doable. Start there. Ask why it resonates. Brainstorm. Find a friend that will ask you questions that help you find the answers.
Remember: The only guarantee: if you don’t put your work out there, it will never get published.
7. Track your emotions at the end of each writing day. See if you can find patterns in your moods so you can prepare for the downs…as well as the ups.
Most of all, Writers, believe in yourself.
We all feel low sometimes. So when it hits you, think about our readers, the people who are waiting for our stories, who will help us change the world. Those readers are cheering us on. They are counting on us.
There is room for your story.
And if you need a pep talk, reach out. We are all in this together.
Have a great writing week!
Sarah