Writing is hard; do it anyway.
From a distance, writing looks like one of the easiest jobs in the world. You get to set your own hours. You’re not tied to a place of employment. And you spend your days making up stories.
However, writing is not as easy as it looks. It can be thrilling, exhilarating, daunting, and exhausting. There are good days and bad days. Sometimes the words flow. Other times you want to give up.
But you do it anyway.
Writing is Hard: Do It Anyway
Writers can face difficulties at every twist and turn in the writing process.
You don’t know if the words are going to come out right. You don’t know if your ideas will be any good. The blank page is intimidating.
Put some words on it anyway.
Sometimes a project is cruising along and then you hit a brick wall. Other times you push through a project that’s difficult from beginning to end. Sometimes you want to walk away.
Work on it anyway.
You might fail. Your poem could falter. Your story could suck. Your memoir or essay could be a dud.
Write it anyway.
Your poems and stories might get rejected by literary magazines. Agents might decline to represent you. Publishers might pass on your manuscript.
Submit your work anyway.
Bookstores might decide not to stock your book. Readers might decide not buy it or read it.
Publish it anyway.
People might read your book, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to like it.
Share it and promote it anyway.
Your first book could tank. It might get bad reviews, low sales, or it could go completely unnoticed.
Write another one anyway.
You may never be able to realize your ultimate dream of quitting your day job and becoming a full-time writer.
Keep writing anyway.
Why Should We Do It Anyway?
Everybody writes for different reasons. I don’t write because I want to write. I would be lying if I said I love writing. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I dread it. I write because I have to. it’s a compulsion — part of who I am.
Some people write because there are stories and poems inside them that need to come out. Some write because they have feelings they need to express. Some write to share their ideas. Some use writing to process and articulate their thoughts. And some write for sheer love of the craft.
If you’re compelled to write — for any reason — then you should face the hurdles and setbacks, the insecurities and doubts, with determination. And write anyway.
What challenges do you face in your writing? Have you ever wanted to give up? Why do you keep writing?
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for sharing this advice. I write for pleasure, and for myself, so there is no serious consequence to giving up. However, if I were to share my frustrations, they would be having ideas buzzing in my head and not being able to get them down on paper (before they disappear). Or to worry about not finishing and then not even start. I think the main issue is starting. And I keep plugging away at it because it’s great to have that sense of achievement. To finish something – a poem, a short story, whatever. It’s personal, it’s complete and it’s yours. Something to be proud of.
Every writer has their own struggle and has to find the best way to deal with it. I used to forget ideas, so I developed a habit of keeping notebooks everywhere — one in my nightstand, one in my car, etc. Later I switched to my phone as a tool for jotting down ideas I didn’t want to forget. Of course, the trick is to recognize that you might forget something (even if it seems memorable in the moment) and force yourself to take the time to write it down.
I sometimes avoid starting projects because I’m unsure about whether I will want to finish them. Writing sometimes feels like a dance — I dance around with an idea for a while to test it and see if it’s something I want to get involved in, long-term.
I agree that completing a piece of writing, however long or short, is a wonderful accomplishment.
Great inspiration to keep writing no matter what.
November is national novel writing month. it is a great way to inspire you to keep writing.
Good luck winning NoNaWriMo everyone.
R.G. Ramsey
Yes, I love NaNo, although I haven’t been able to participate in years. Good luck to all the NaNos out there!
Writing is hard, but there definitely is always a good reason to do it, if only because it will help make the next thing you write better. Practice makes perfect. Thank you for the encouraging words!
So true! And you’re welcome.
I also have a compulsion. If I don’t write I get twitchy – even in retirement after a career writing for a living.
It’s weird, isn’t it? I don’t mind it, though.