Why Is Writing So Hard? 7 Common Obstacles (and What To Do ...

Whether you’re a writer by choice or have to do it as part of your job or education, it’s no secret that writing can be just plain difficult.

Some people may seem to have an intuitive way with words, but that doesn’t mean writing is always easy for them (even if they make it seem so).

Even the best writers struggle with common obstacles like writer’s block, fatigue, and a lack of inspiration, so you’re definitely not alone if you find writing challenging.

You may face numerous challenges, but the good news is that there’s always something you can do. In this post, we’ll look at 7 common writing obstacles and solutions you can implement right now to overcome them.

7 Reasons Why Writing Is So Hard

Here are 7 common challenges you may face while writing, plus action steps to overcome each one.

1. You’re anxious or insecure about your writing.

Writing requires courage in the obvious ways, like being brave enough to share your work with the world, send it to publishers and reviewers, or read it aloud.

But even putting your thoughts and ideas on paper can be an act of bravery. It takes courage to tell your story, which might be painful, or to share your ideas, which might be unpopular.

What to do about it:

• Find a mentor. Even if you never meet in person, staying in contact with a writer or other person you admire can be excellent motivation, and they might be able to help you past some of your fears using their own experiences.
• Try journaling. Write about your feelings surrounding writing and try to work out where your insecurities stem from. What do you find intimidating or difficult about writing?
• Work on your confidence. You may never feel 100% ready to share your work, but building your confidence in general will translate to greater confidence in your writing.

2. You must be humble.

Of course, not all writers have confidence issues. Maybe you’re really proud of the work you’ve done—and you should be!

But writing still requires a healthy dose of humility. This means being able to accept feedback and criticism (and even seek it out), identify key lessons and takeaways, and apply them to your next round.

Even the best artists look for opportunities to grow and expand their skills. There’s always more to learn, so work on being humble enough to identify areas where you can become even stronger.

What to do about it:

• Learn how to handle criticism. As a writer, it’s kind of inevitable, so the sooner you learn to embrace it, the happier you’ll be.
• Ask for help. Join writers’ groups and actively seek honest, constructive feedback so you can get a diverse range of perspectives and opinions on your work.

3. You find it hard to focus.

In today’s world, our lives are busier and more full of distractions than ever. There’s work, family obligations, errands, your social life, and of course, your health and mental well-being to take care of.

Even if you’re lucky enough to be a full-time writer, there’s the ever-present buzz of social media, television, and advertisements vying for your attention.

We all find it hard to focus sometimes, but don’t forget that you have control. Good writing requires you to be fully present so you can be open to all the inspiration and ideas floating around you. Then, you need to be in the right mindset to focus on creating the best output you can.

What to do about it:

• Find or create a dedicated writing space that’s comfortable and free of distractions.
• Turn off your social notifications while you’re writing, or better yet, temporarily delete the apps from your phone.
• Take breaks! You can’t maintain focus for hours on end. Your mind will start to wander, and you’ll experience burnout. So grab a snack if you’re hungry, go for a walk, meditate—do whatever you need to maintain your energy and focus.

4. You have trouble planning.

What’s that? You’re not a planner, you say? Creativity and planning are incompatible?

Some writers are plotters, while others are pantsers (meaning they “fly by the seat of their pants”). You can take this quiz to find out which one you are.

But even if you’re a pantser, you still need to do a little plotting, like creating a really basic outline or thinking about your central theme. The problem is, not all of us are great with planning, which can make writing hard.

What to do about it:

• Create an outline—even a really simple one with 5 bullet points is fine!
• If you write fiction, create a character profile to make sure your characters are fully developed with complete arcs.
• Remember that you’re not married to your plan. (This can help you get over your aversion to planning.) You can change course whenever you think it makes sense to!

5. You think you’re not creative enough.

Writing can be an especially daunting task if you believe you’re missing the “creativity gene.” While some people may appear to tap into the right hemisphere of their brain more frequently, the truth is that creativity can be learned.

Still, even if you’re a generally creative person, you’re going to run into writer’s block from time to time. But fear not—this, too, can be overcome!

Creativity blocks are temporary, and usually due to stress, anxiety, or confusion. Try stepping away from your work for a while until you’ve got a clear mind.

What to do about it:

• Take a creativity course.
• Read an inspiring book on creativity.
• Use writing prompts.

6. You struggle to stay disciplined.

You can talk about your writing goals all you want, but if you don’t actually follow through and stick to a consistent writing routine, it will be hard to make any progress.

Writing requires discipline, which means practicing constantly—even if you’re not working on a specific project right now, and yes, even if you’re battling with a bout of writer’s block.

What to do about it:

• Try morning pages. Freewriting every morning can help you stay in a consistent writing habit, and also remedy writer’s block by clearing your mind of all the other thoughts that are bogging you down.
• Create a writing routine that works for you. Set aside a dedicate slot of time where you can write uninterrupted. This might be first thing in the morning, or late at night once everyone else is asleep. Find what works for you and stick to it.
• Write down and revisit your goals. Reminding yourself why you’re writing can help you stay motivated. Do you want to become a better writer? Finish your manuscript by next month? Write down your specific goals and leave them in a place where you can see them.

7. You must be patient.

While there are steps you can take to overcome writer’s block and build a solid writing routine, sometimes you just have to be patient.

Maybe you need to wait for your editor to return their edits on your latest draft, or maybe you need to rewrite the final chapter for what seems like the millionth time.

But having patience is easier said than done. If it’s a personal skill you feel you need to work on, I recommend checking out our post on how to be more patient in a world of instant gratification.

Here are some other things you can do:

• Find other (productive) things to work on while you wait for your editor to return edits, or for your writer’s block to pass. For example, try creative writing exercises or take an online writing course.
• If you feel you need to be more patient in general (and not just with your writing), try meditation or practicing mindfulness. This will help you to slow down and find greater focus.

Nobody Said It Was Easy…

Okay, maybe someone has said that… but they were lying. Writing can sometimes be really hard, but that shouldn’t discourage you from pursuing your goals.

You can’t snap your fingers and make your manuscript complete, but there are always steps you can take to make the process less stressful, more productive, and even enjoyable.

What do you think is the hardest part of writing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• 5 Reasons to Try a Writing Sprint
• 9 of Stephen King’s Writing Tips For the Aspiring Writer
• Writing Motivation: 7 Tips for Staying Productive
• 15 Ernest Hemingway Quotes on Life, Death, and Writing

Kaelyn Barron

As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.