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Why Is Writing So Difficult?

By on June 25, 2018
Why Is Writing So Difficult? - Writer's Life.org

Writing is hard - really hard, and it’s no wonder writers can end up feeling infuriated demotivated and generally fed up with the whole process.

We’ve all been there - when we can’t find the inspiration, the right words, or where our once great idea suddenly dries up and trails off, where we get rejections, bad reviews or just radio silence, and it all just seems too difficult.

It’s no wonder that so many people who start out trying to write a book never get to the end. It's even less surprising that writers who do manage to finish their manuscript end up never doing anything with it because they’ve been told time and time again just how tough it is to get anywhere in the writing business.

But just what is it about writing that makes it so difficult? Why do writers all suffer from times where, no matter how hard they try, no matter how much they will it, their stories, their words, just won’t come out they way they want them to, if at all?

Writing is hard because:

It asks for total focus

Writing isn’t something that just happens; it takes real focus. Writers need to be able to create whole new worlds, new people and stories that grip the hearts and imaginations of their readers. This is no easy task, and without being able to entirely focus, to truly immerse ourselves in our writing, it is impossible to realize our vision fully.

It demands discipline

You can’t just sit down one day and write out a bestselling novel the first time. Writing is an art, it’s a skill, and you need to practice if you want to get any good at it. Having the time, the motivation and the dedication to keep writing even when you don’t feel like it is not something that everyone has the discipline to do.

It requires huge courage

Writers write regardless of the terrible odds of actually getting published; they write stories that are personal to them and share them with the world, the pour their heart and soul into their work only to be told time and time again that it’s not good enough. To be a writer you have to be brave, to be persistent, to be able to take knocks and get back up and keep going regardless. That kind of bravery isn’t going to come easy.

It takes sacrifice

There may be exceptions, but most writers find that they have to sacrifice something if they want to keep writing. It might be time spent with family and friends; it might be not earning much money - whatever the sacrifice, being truly committed to writing means making choices that are not always easy to make.

Writing takes a lot from a person, and even if you are willing to do all the above, let’s face it, you also need to have some talent too.

However, the writer that can commit to writing in such a way, to make those sacrifices and to keep pushing forward is the one who will get better and better, and the one who is so much more likely to achieve their writing goals.

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

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

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