All types of writing can be difficult, let’s be real. But it’s my opinion that fiction writing is THE hardest type of writing for a certain type of writer. It’s the intuitive writers that struggle the most with the fiction writing process, from beginning to end.
So, how do you know if you’re an “intuitive writer” and if that’s why you struggle more than most when it comes to fiction writing? (more…)
Both writers of fiction and nonfiction run into roadblocks with their writing, that’s not surprising. However, there is a very specific block that seems to especially plague fiction writers. Usually, it happens before the writer has even started writing their story, but it’s also very common for this to occur once the writer is about one third or halfway through the project.
This writing block is rooted in a lie that the writer tells themselves that they don’t even know is a lie—and they don’t know it’s a lie because so many mainstream writing guides and sources of writing advice online tell them that they have to do this same thing too. So, when they can’t do it, or they run into severe difficulties with it, they immediately blame themselves and go into creative shut-down. (more…)
Almost every time I do a consultation with a new client, it’s a writer who is absolutely sure they know what their problem is. Much of the time they tell me they need to learn “craft and structure.” Sometimes they say they need to take more classes or read more books on writing. Frequently I hear that they just need to be “better,” with all the vague intention that implies.
But one thing is always the same. They are paralyzed, stuck, frustrated, and feeling hopeless and sad about their writing. (more…)
Every writer I’ve ever worked with has specific anxiety trigger points that occur during different phases of the writing process. Some writers are the most anxious while writing the first draft, because everything feels chaotic, messy, and uncertain. Other writers love the first draft phase, but their anxiety kicks in when it’s time to edit. They’re afraid if they change things they’ll end up ruining the story.
Most writers assume that they have so much anxiety around writing because they don’t know what they’re doing, or they’re feeling pressure from the outside to perform or achieve according to someone else’s expectations. While this is true in some cases, it’s not the whole story. The deeper causes of the anxiety we feel as writers comes from the anxiety we feel in our lives overall, and this anxiety is a direct result of living in a society that feeds us the message that we should be in control of everything, at all times. (more…)
Most writers know they need accountability in one form or another. Otherwise, it’s too easy to procrastinate forever and never start (or finish) the book we want so badly to write. But the problem is that too many writers get it wrong with accountability.
The worst kind of accountability comes from writing methods that are too rigid. I’ve worked with so many writers who have tried to write every single day, no matter what, or vowed to meet a certain word count during every writing session, no matter what, and these attempts ALWAYS end in failure. Why? Because there’s not enough flexibility and open space for the writer’s creativity to flourish, or the inevitable demands of everyday life.
I’ve coached and taught writers of all stripes for almost 10 years now, and I can tell you that the absolute BEST way to bring accountability into your writing practice is to choose a strategy that is flexible, actually fun, and doesn’t leave you all on your own. The power of group support is truly life changing for writers! (more…)