It’s funny how as a kid, how you think your writing is great, you’re not thinking about who’d like my story, or the pressure, or how will the editing process be? You’re writing for the sole purpose of how great it makes you feel. The sense of letting your imagination run wild and getting the ideas out on paper.
Don’t get me wrong I love writing, it’s been my passion ever since I picked up a piece of paper and pencil at nine years old and ran to show my mom what I created. The only difference is the reasons I’ve mentioned above.
1. The Comparison Game
Comparing myself to other authors happens more often than I’d like to admit. I’d read a book from one of my favorite authors and soon I’d fall down a pit-hole of asking myself questions like.
Why can’t I write like this person?
Why am I not as talented?
Why am I taking this long to finished my manuscript?
Will anyone like the story?
Soon I’m staring at the page curser blinking on my screen, frozen or worse deleting what I’ve spent minutes, sometimes even hours on. As I previously mentioned as a kid I've never compared myself to my favorites. I just enjoyed the story in hand thinking I can’t wait to become an author myself.
I’m not going to lie, as I said it’s difficult to stop once I go into these questions. Like I’m spinning in a deadly hurricane that’ll never cease. But I eventually push forward by taking these out-of-control questions and steer them with thoughts like:
* Everyone feels this way at some point in their career, even the best sellers
Nobody can get my message out but me.
* Remember why I started writing in the first place. What’s my message?
* I get to do what I love, not everyone has that opportunity.
* I can always fix the problems during editing. I’ll also have professional editors looking over my manuscript.
Sure, these messages to tell yourself are easier said than done. But reminding yourself of them every time the nagging thought of I’ll never be as good as that person, helps. Point is to keep reminding yourself every author goes through doubt.
2. The Reality behind The Scenes (it’s Not All Glamour.)
No secret writing is a job, well, maybe some people don’t think so. But people don’t see the countless hours of typing, the behind the scenes work and staring at a computer until your eyes are heavy, closing with each typed word. The tears, of frustration and endless supply of coffee and water. They just see the finished product.
There’s a level of business that goes along with the creative side of things. And that makes everything even harder. When you're watching your socials wanting to get more likes and follows, it gives a sinking feeling when things don't go as planned. I'd just decide not to put as much stress into my platform. Yes I put care, just not the overall stress of checking my socials every ten minutes. Honestly, building a successful author platform takes time and is stressful when you don't feel like you succeeding and can be overwhelming. (Although success varies from person to person.) But putting the phone down, or putting it in another room helps.
Some people like to say have fun with it. That’s great advice, you should definitely have fun with writing. But again, that's easier said than done, when checking off the boxes of what can go wrong, and what needs to be done.
However, I still keep this advice in mind. I like to remember why I started writing in the first place. How far I’ve came. How I’ve improved over the years. That I’m improving each day.
3. There’s Someone Who’s waiting to hear Your Voice, Your Words
One of my deepest motivations are feeling there’s someone out there who’d read my work and think I love this book, and that the story, the message would stick with them.
Writing a story isn’t about money, at least not for me. Or movie deals It’s nothing quick or fast.
A quality book takes months to years. several means of educating yourself on the craft. Of course, motivation doesn’t always come every day. Sometimes forcing myself in the chair to write is necessary, or even writing on my bed when I don’t want to go to my desk, and I know I must finish a scene or chapter.
But the thought of I want my words to get out there keeps me writing. That if my story were out in the world I wouldn’t need to write the book.
One of my favorite quotes is by the late Beverly Cleary. "If you don’t see the book you want on the shelfs, write it."
4. Breaks Are Essential
A tip of advice I’ve heard over the years is push through when not in the mood. At times this is great advice others not so much. Sometimes all I need is a break to unwind, a day off. That help with not only feeling refreshed, but sometimes watching TV or doing something else like resting provides me with tons of ideas and stirs my creativity.
So if it’s an hour, a day, a week anything breaks are completely necessary. It’s not laziness it’s healthy, so burnout doesn’t happen. Whoever gave the advice write everyday clearly is wrong and burned themselves out.
Conclusion
Remember, put the fun back into your work even in the rough times. Remind yourself of that. The pressure will be there but if it’s a topic you truly care about it makes the process a little easier.
How do you cope with your pressures as an author?