For writers, starting is definitely the hardest part. It’s common for writers to dream about writing their book—and holding their finished book in their hands—for months, or even years. However, when it comes time to sit down at the desk and write those first few sentences, more often than not, that’s when we experience total fear and paralysis.
It’s no surprise that many writers feel misunderstood and alone. Writing, after all, is mostly a solitary pursuit. Whenever we visualize a writer hard at work, we tend to think of a person sitting all by themselves in an empty room, typing away. While this is sometimes true, that doesn’t mean that writers like being lonely or that we don’t long for connection or community.
It’s not only the solitary nature of writing that makes writers lonely. It’s also that most writers are introverts. We tend to be naturally introspective, and some of us even suffer from social anxiety. Groups and group activities can be hard for us, and even though we have a lot to say on the page, making conversation in real life isn’t always easy.
I talk more about writers and why we’re so lonely in the video below: