Discouragement interventions

Do you ever get discouraged? You’re a writer—what kind of crazy question is that? Of course, you do.

Discouragement hits writers in all stages, beginners, those in the middle, and those with published novels and decades of experience.

Discouragement hounds us if we don’t seek support. It can lead to writer’s block or quitting, just to name two consequences. Sometimes we cry, we pray, and we wait.

God answers prayers in mysterious ways. He dropped some support my way through Edie Melson’s blog, “The Write Conversation” which led me to Colleen M. Story, who encourages discouraged writers in her books Overwhelmed Writer Rescue and Your Writing Matters. She also offers advice in her weekly, five-minute vlog or blog.

Remember the fun

In her October 3^rd newsletter, Story included an article from Brielle Porter, who wrote, “So much of writing is emotional, and I had burned out hard with my first three books. I’ve had to learn that sometimes it’s necessary to take time off, and that I can’t force myself to write when I’m burned out.”

She concluded her article with advice for young writers: “Write for fun! Now is the time to explore writing and to write the things you enjoy.

“Start a writer’s group with some friends and make it your safe place to share your words. There is no pressure to sell or make a career out of writing, and no better time to figure out why and what you love to write. All that writing for yourself will make you a stronger writer for the time you’re ready to start writing for others.

“Sometimes I get so caught up in market and trends, that I forget to write for myself. The best writing I’ve done has always been the stories I’ve written for me.”

I’m not a “young” writer, but her statements resonated with me.

Pressure kills creativity

I used to find pleasure and joy in writing. I felt God’s pleasure at times, and it all invigorated me. Along the way though, I lost my enthusiasm. All the platform requirements stole time from the allotted writing time, and life pressed in until something had to give. Internal and external pressures kill creativity.

Perhaps for me, it has been all of life’s changes and demands that sent me into despair and a grief I couldn’t shake. Maybe it was just the tangle of funerals, broken bones, a wedding, and a graduation.

Recently, my husband exclaimed in exasperation to my tears, “Why don’t you take a break?”

I resisted. Yet the pressures weigh heavy on my heart, and I spin my wheels going nowhere—neither backward nor forward. I’m just stuck in the same ugly place. I’m completing writing projects for other people, but it isn’t the writing I intended to be doing.

Get back to basics

When we face discouragement or writer’s block, taking a break and getting back to basics offers stress relief. You can tackle other projects, go on vacation, write something different, or take a class.

As for me, a change seems in order. An email from Plottr sent me to a recorded class taught by Jessica Brody about her Save the Cat! beats and her new book, Save the Cat! Writes A Young Adult Novel. I wanted to see if this method would help me tighten my next revision. This led me to the Writing Mastery Academy. I decided to refresh some skills and strengthen some weaknesses. As I dabble about, perhaps my joy and enthusiasm will return.

Is something holding you back? What is it? What will you do about it? You’re not a failure if you need redirection. After self-care, other writers thrive, so we can too.

What helps you get over slumps?

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash.