Article writer. Creative writer. Novel writer. Copywriter. Blog writer. Up-and-coming writer. Whatever kind of writer you are, you’re one lucky person.
Thanks to the Internet, a floodgate of money-making opportunities has been opened wide for writers. Sure, you can argue that anyone can write. But not everyone can be good at it.
Writing, just like anything of value, has its ebbs and flows, valleys and peaks, successes and failures.
This article will not be discussing the glory days of writing. Instead, we will be tackling the challenges faced by most writers and what can be done to conquer them.
Common Barriers to Writing and How to Overcome Them
1. Procrastination
Time and again, it’s been said, procrastination is the mother of failure. If that came out like a whack to the solar plexus, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re not alone.
A lot of people procrastinate at various points in their lives and to some degree. Some even procrastinate to the point of disrupting their careers and the fulfillment of their dreams.
While procrastination does sound like a powerful force, really, it all boils down to self-discipline. If you can’t be bothered to get things done, you’re going nowhere.
So next time you’re tempted to laze around instead of write, print out the words “DO IT NOW, PROCRASTINATE TOMORROW” in solid ink and post it where you’re likely to see it day in and day out.
And then set a writing deadline: TODAY. If you’re writing an e-book, of course, you don’t have to finish the whole book today, but you can write a paragraph or two today.
2. Not enough time
A lot of people believe life isn’t fair. But timewise, we all get the same share – 24 hours. No more, no less.
There are things that are important, and there are those that are urgent. Generally speaking, the word “urgent” triggers some kind of an effect that propels a person to stop whatever he’s doing and rush to do what is urgent instead.
Do you do the same for those that you consider important?
If you’re serious about writing and decide that it’s important to you, making room for it in that limited 24-hour ration you’ve got is a must. And once you find the best time of the day to write, decide to write a little everyday.
3. Being too self-critical
If you’re an employer seeking to get things done ASAP, who will you hire? The able but unavailable? Or the available and trainable?
The same analogy can, at one point or another, apply to writers. Putting off writing until you feel you’re able is one step towards failure. Being aware of your limitations is a good thing. But dwelling too much on your imperfections is not.
If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word. – Margaret Atwood
Self-negativism is like a boulder tied to your neck while swimming upstream. It will drag you down and kill your spirit in the process. Nobody’s perfect, remember?
So the moment you feel like your writing skills are less than perfect, remember that Stephen King’s “Carrie” was resurrected from the trash bin to become the hit that it is now.
Just do it, so Nike says, and you just might swoosh your way to infinity and beyond.
4. Writer’s block
A lot has been said about writer’s block, which doesn’t come as a surprise. No writer is immune to writer’s block, not even J.K. Rowling.
But if she never managed to get past the block, it’s obvious, this worldwide phenomenon known as “Harry Potter” would never be as huge.
One effective strategy to employ when confronted with the dreaded writer’s block is to keep on writing. The writing may sound stale, pointless, boring, lifeless or purposeless. But the point is, like a runner bent out of shape has to get out in the field to train his body to run, so should a writer train and constantly train his brain to write.
If this doesn’t work and you’re trying to beat a deadline, try taking a nap. A catnap might reset your brain to full writer mode.
Conclusion
Commitment despite the hard work is what spells the difference between a hobby and a career. If you want to make a career out of writing, roll your sleeves up and be prepared to dig.
Oh, you’re going to have to dig with a pen – the literal and the virtual kind.
Happy writing!
Image courtesy of adamr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Good points.
Thank you, Papaleng!
These are bad habits we ought not to have though will be encountering at some time. Procrastination is always common even for non-writers, Lack of time is always an excuse. Being too critical at one’s work leaves us at a standstill with our work and of course, it always happen, writers block. I guess we have to live past this barriers and just let the love of writing overwhelm these obstacles.
If we don’t get past these, these are potential dream killers. Thanks for your insight, Franc!
It’s always good to know what can block off our writing creativity so we can take steps to recover from it.
Good point, Franc. I’ll be writing a post on what triggers writer’s block soon. Watch out for it!
Oh, what a brilliant post! One thing’s for sure: you didn’t have writer’s block when you wrote this ;).
Procrastination is something I’m guilty of. And yes, I’m also my worst critic.
It’s time to get these fingers working because yes, I hope to make a living out of this 🙂
Well, I did have writer’s block at the earlier part of the post. What I did was do some research, and finally, it went well, I guess.
I’m sure you’re going to make a fine living out of it, Pepper! My bet is on that. 🙂
I’ve been writing blogs for some time and I still need more dedication. I really must commit to write more.
Yes, commitment is really that one little ingredient that makes a lot of difference. Thanks for dropping by, Archie!
Well, writing has been a hobby of mine, and still, even writing for several years already, I still experience these things. 😀 No one is perfect, after all. 😀
Yes, perfect is definitely what we aren’t. Thanks for visiting Vento!
Not enough time problem, I’ve been encounter that now. As a story-writer in my blog. now I just published 2 post in August. not like last summer, where I could reach at-least 10 post. Siguro dahil may pasok na :D.
Siguro nga. Thanks for visiting! 😀
And I find it helpful. Writing isn’t as easy as ABC but we can master it if we want...
I agree with you on that one, Ed. It all comes with the will, I guess.
More often, less ideas will come when we try to squeeze our brain to ooze some creative and brilliant sentences. In my case, I have a notebook where I write short sentences which appear on my mind anytime, which makes writing my easier.
A notebook is definitely a must-have for writers. Sometimes, ideas come at the wrong place and the wrong time. And since ideas are fleeting, it’s best to write them down before they disappear into oblivion.
revisiting. How I beat writer’s block.. I just play CityVille. LOL
Nice one, Papaleng. In my case, I don’t play CityVille anymore. I have a tendency to get hooked, so I resolved to stay away from FB games sometime ago.
Nice pointers. It also helps to know what time of the day are your brain works at its optimum. For some, it can be in the morning while others in the evening. That way, you get a lot more done in a shorter span of time.
Great point, Adeline. Thanks for dropping by!
Most of the time I have writers block and I just can start a sentence or even a word. This post will greatly help me. Thanks
Glad to help, Ricky!
Between family duties and mommy duties not having enough time to write is really often the main reason of mine and being too critical of my own self thinking that I can do better or something like that then ended up not making any post or write anything instead of letting my feelings and emotions guide me..we are definitely our worst enemy..great post! thanks for sharing…
I’m guilty of that sometimes, too. Thanks for your insight!
I really love this! FB SHARE and g+ SHARE. Thanks for this.
Thank you so much for the support, Amaya! And you’re welcome. The pleasure is mine.
my sister in law is a writer, i’m very certain that she would agree with every thing you said above. I for one is guilty of the first barrier (lol. writing is a talent that comes with self discipline too.Thanks for the tips, will keep them in mind. Yahweh bless
No problem at all, Ralph. Thanks for visiting!
I really do hate it when I had a writer’s block… most especially if I am required to write something! Really frustrating.
Writer’s block is really a pain. Thanks for dropping by!
I think lack of time is just an excuse especially if you are guilty of being a procrastinator, hehe. Also, it is the lack of idea or inspiration that really stop a writer from writing.
Anyway, such an informative post.
Thanks for your input, Angie!
well I think discipline and determination are essential to finish a writing task, sometimes too much distraction like the internet gets in the way of writing, making myself online sometimes takes much of my time doing research and caught up in the so many hyperlinks reading instead of writing, yay!
Sounds like me, LOL. Thanks for visiting!
guilty of procrasination and writer’s block. it’s sad, really.
Guilty here, too. Thanks for being here today, Chef!
I feel so stressful everytime I write because of too many things running on my head.
It’s a natural occurrence, I think, Ian. Then again, it’s up to us to give in to the stress or anything else that keeps us from writing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
One more thing to prevent writers block is by being observant (surroundings, people) to keep ideas flowing..
I agree on that point. Thanks for visiting!
WRITING is not just using pen and paper…
it’s more than those ideas rambling in our head.
It’s something that should originate deep within us.
It’s a CALLING… a PURPOSE in life that elevates our
mind and soul into somewhere else.
Great take, Marri!
I want to do creative writing but my biggest barrier is procrastination! I never seem to find time to attend workshops. oh well.
I can relate. Procrastination is always #1 in my list.
I agree with these barriers because I also experience this. I guess we need to clear our minds first before we can write
So very true. Thanks for your input, Shirgie!
Good factors to consider when do this writing job. Sometimes I find writing so stressful esp if have more tasks to finish and my mind is not in a good condition to think and write.
Having a lot on one’s plate can contribute to writer’s block. I can definitely understand that. Thanks for dropping by today, Jhovy!
Procrastination is my biggest problem in writing especially if I don’t like the topic much.
That sounds so like me, too, LOL. Thanks for visiting, Teddy!
Nice tips for writing it will come in handy.
Thanks for the kind words, Orly. And for dropping by today!
thanks for this post .. it does hit me in some parts .. hihihi … guilty as charge …i just need to dedicate some time for writing without interruption …
Not a problem, Dennis. Yes, it does need tons of dedication. Thanks for visiting!
The number 1 barrier is the killer. Not only in writing but for all things as well.
You hit it right on, Ron. Thanks for your input!
I’m SO suffering from #2. I love to blog, but I have a senior position in a premier school as well. Very tough to squeeze in an article.
Very tough, indeed. I think it’s all a matter of giving what we love to do even just a few minutes of everyday. Thanks for dropping by, Carlo!
I’m encountering 3 and 4 pretty often as work/facebook keeps me preoccupied. 😀
We all are guilty of that at one point or another. Still, keep on writing. Thanks for visiting, Mark!
I love writing. The only thing that puts me down sometimes is the stress and pressure of deadlines. It is my major cause of writer’s block.
I love writing, too. I can understand how you feel about deadlines. Sometimes, having too much on our plates can block the creativity altogether. Thanks for dropping by today, Teresa!
A must-read for bloggers! Especially important: writing a little bit whenever you can. Every mountain was once a mole hill 😉
Excellent point, Jason! And I especially like your food for thought. Thanks for dropping by!