Most of us who dream of becoming published writers start off with an unrealistic picture of how it all works.
There’s the dream of sitting in cafes with one’s notebook, mingling with artsy types at book signings, or seeing one’s novel on the bestseller list. Very few of us, when we first began, stopped to give ourselves a reality check.
The truth is, writing isn’t easy. None of it is easy. In fact, it’s often downright frustrating.
How are these 5 frustrations affecting your writing life?
1. Lack of time
Most people–even published writers–have full time jobs. Stay-at-home moms and dads might not go out to work, but child-care is a full time job in itself.
They say the most productive time of day for most people is first thing in the morning. I happen to agree with that, but some prefer to work late at night or during breaks in the day.
How (and when) do you make time to write?
2. Writer’s block
While the very existence of writer’s block can be argued, no one can deny there are moments when we can’t find the right words, the right subjects, or the right motivation to continue.
Have you ever had a crushing case of writer’s block? What about more short-lived episodes?
How do you approach these times and find the strength to keep going?
3. Not knowing if you’re good enough
It’s the age old question–am I good enough to get published?
The answer is one of three options: (1) No, (2) Yes, (3) Not yet. For most of us, ‘not yet’ is most accurate.
Are you content to keep plugging away at your writing, with the knowledge (or hope) that you’re improving over time, or do you actively take steps to discover your current strengths and weaknesses?
If so, what are those steps?
4. Always wanting more
The first guest post you write for the web seems like a major thrill if it’s the first time you’ve shared your writing. Soon, you’re finding a home for your work in magazines, then perhaps in anthologies. The farther you get, the more you want.
In no time at all, you’re tempted to write a novel, then find an agent, and finally a publisher. After that, it’s about writing a better novel, then finding a more prestigious publisher.
It’s a slippery slope.
Every achievement seems wonderful until you see there’s something better just around the corner.
Having goals is great, but will you really be satisfied when you reach them? Do you think it’s even important to be satisfied, or is dissatisfaction the greatest motivation of all?
5. Not being taken seriously
Telling friends and family you’re getting serious about writing can be embarrassing–even humiliating–depending on a number of factors.
Some will be supportive, but many will laugh, or scoff behind your back. Getting published seems like such a long shot, people are generally skeptical about the odds being in your favour.
How do you deal with those who think your writing is a waste of time?
Is it all worth it?
If writing is so frustrating, is it really worth all the heartache?
I happen to think so, and I’ll bet you do too. Anything worth having is worth working for, so it’s more a matter of balancing frustration with reward.
In reality, that reward may never be an offer of publication, but there are enough small victories along the way to make it a noble pursuit.
What are your greatest frustrations with the writing life?
I’m glad you mentioned that stay-at-home parents also have an issue with finding time to write. I’ve written novels while working full-time, and now I write and work (outside the home) only 10 hours a week. My conclusion? Children are more demanding than employers.
.-= Read Lydia Sharp´s last article ..Why "Free" Sells =-.
Oh Lydia, you’re so right that children are more demanding than employers. It’s 3:21 am here in Oz and I’m typing one-handed with my 7-week-old in the other arm.
Great article Suzannah, I know I struggle with all of these in some form or another. Not knowing whether I’m good enough is one that I really find difficult, I love how you include the answer “Not Yet” to that question. I think it’s important to have that option, because most people (myself included) could definitely not answer “yes”, but we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we answered “no”.
I also feel like I’m not taken seriously with my writing by some people. No one has ever actively told me to stop wasting my time writing, but that’s the feeling I get sometimes.
Thanks for the article Suzannah 🙂
.-= Read Christopher´s last article ..Stop all the Clocks… =-.
Thanks Christopher 🙂 The ‘not yet’ option is encouraging, where ”yes’ might be deluded, and ‘no’ disparaging. Nathan Bransford said yesterday that only about 1% of his recent queries were publishable, but about 10% were still really good (just not quite ready).
I don’t suffer from writer’s block per say, I suffer more from
“I know what needs to be said but when I write it down it doesn’t come out right syndrome.”
.-= Read Southpaw´s last article ..Chicken Soup, South American Style =-.
Yeah, I think that’s pretty common, too. There’s a shocking incongruity between the picture in your head and the writing on the page.
For me the greatest frustration comes from the question of good enough. Writer’s block isn’t that bad, since it’s less of a wall and more of a sharp corner that just takes practice to get around.
My greatest hurdle is relearning how to write for myself – how to take pleasure in the process of writing and editing and deleting and rewriting, let the cards fall where they may.
.-= Read Jeffrey Tang ´s last article ..Great Things to Come: In Which I Announce a New Schedule, a Newsletter, and Other Exciting Plans =-.
I agree, Jeffrey. Never knowing if you’re good enough is a terrible feeling. Writer’s block for me isn’t that bad either, but I have major lazy days (or weeks). The relearning experience also happened for me after I cut back from full-time to part-time teaching, so I get what you’re saying.
I have three kids, I left my job and am now consecrating my time to writing. I cannot express how scared that is, on many levels, all of which you covered, am I good enough, do people who claim to support me really believe in me, and am I doing the right thing? It is a real adventure, writing. And I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day to write and do all the stuff I am supposed to do for the family and other obligations. I was motivated by your article, as Christopher said, the ‘not yet’ gives us all hope.
Thanks again.
Brigitte
.-= Read Brigitte´s last article ..One love, one life =-.
Thanks for your thoughts, Brigitte. It’s so difficult to balance writing with family life, but it can’t be done. Best of luck with your work!
My main frustration now is deciding whether I will ever be able to relax into the writing/creative process. I both feel the need to write and reject the whole concept. Very strange!
Found you on Twitter. Following you now.
Hey, I agree with everything that has been posted previously. I’d like to add another source of frustration : not matching your own objectives. I mean, when you set yourself a goal, like “today I’m going to write three pages” and you end up with merely two paragraphs at the end of the day (sigh). I thought my first novel would be finished by the end of 2009, but I have not even reached the middle of it … And the faster I want to get, the slower I write, of course.
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for adding this. Not living up to your own expectations or objectives is frustrating, yes! Since having my second child (and consequently having less time to write), I’ve had to adjust my expectations. Where I used to expect to write 1000+ words a day, now I give myself a pat if I get through 500. As long as I’m writing every day and keeping a slow but sure pace, I’m happy. Sometimes we just have to change our perspectives 🙂