Home   >   How to Write A Book   >   Don’t Be The Person That Stops You From Writing

Don’t Be The Person That Stops You From Writing

By on December 30, 2016
Don't Be The Person That Stops Your From Writing - Writer's Life.org

Writers can come up with all sorts of weird and wonderful excuses not to write. But the truth is if you don’t sit down and get on with it then you’ll never get anywhere - and the longer you leave it, the less and less likely it is that you’ll change your ways.

Let’s be honest, if you get to the point where you haven’t written anything in months - can you really call yourself a writer at all?

Often writers that don’t write will happily blame anything but themselves for why they haven’t been able to. But deep down we all know that if it is something we are truly passionate about, we will find a way. If you want to be a writer, then don’t be the person that stops yourself from doing it. You’ll only end up full of regret and beating yourself up about it - so stop fighting and just get on with it!

So how do you go from procrastinator to prolific writer?

Admit that it’s hard

Writing is no walk in the park. In fact, even on good days, it can be hugely challenging. You have to admit that writing is tough and that to do it you are going to have to put some effort in - a lot of effort in fact. But remember that the best things in life are the ones that you worked hardest at to achieve - you can do it, and you can succeed. It’s OK to acknowledge how tough it is, just don’t let that stop you.

Gear yourself up for the challenge

Stay positive, have a mantra that you say to yourself each morning if that helps! Think of yourself like Rocky, put on some inspiring music, find a perfect writing space that works for you. Whatever you need to do to keep motivated then do it. Be kind to yourself too. You’ll have times where you feel you can’t do it, but if you persevere you will get there and reap the rewards at the end.

Be prepared

As the brownies said ‘always be prepared.’ You’ll help yourself no end by creating tight plots, memorable characters, doing your research and understanding your genre. Don’t just blindly write when you have a spare half hour. Make sure you give yourself the best chance by preparing thoroughly. Think of your book as a piece of work, a project - you need to do your background research for it to stand the best chance of success.

Don’t go it alone

Share your work with others. Fellow writers can be so helpful when it comes to giving you a confidence boost, while also offering constructive criticisms, and sharing knowledge and insights into what helps them to stay on track.

Write what you love

Writing about what you are passionate about will keep you writing. If you force yourself to write about something you think you ‘should’ but deep down it doesn’t excite or inspire you, you’ll soon find yourself making excuses to do anything other than write. If you stay true to yourself and write about something that keeps you wide-eyed and awake at night, you are sure to keep on writing.

Take it one day at a time

You aren’t going to produce a best-selling book overnight. Have patience, keep learning and practising and take your writing one day at a time - you’ll get there eventually I promise!

Whatever you do, don’t be the reason why you have stopped writing. If you have got that desire in you, listen to it and act on it and you’ll be so much happier if you do!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

About Ty Cohen