Here’s my theory: writer’s block isn’t a phenomenon that plagues writers all on its own. It’s a symptom of a greater mindset.

One of those mindsets that can influence writer’s block is fearing failure.

For a writer, that might be the fear that:

• My writing is horrible
• My story will not turn out the way I envision it
• No publishing agency will be interested
• Readers will hate my story

AND SO MANY MORE WORRIES.

So, when these fears overwhelm us, we freeze.

We can’t think of what to write or how to move forward. We lose the motivation to write altogether and label it writer’s block.

Not writing is a form of self-protection that’s triggered when your brain’s alarm system goes off.

Our subconscious thinks, “What’s the best way to protect us from the crushing feelings of these fears being realized?”

To not write, of course. Because then we can’t ever attempt these goals that are sure to fail.

Now, I could go on about the fact that we can’t believe every thought our brains feed us because we don’t know with certainty what the future holds.

Instead, today’s blog post aims to provide you with practical ways to deal with these fears when they’ve stopped you from writing.

Not writing can feel safer than risking failure. It can feel safer than revealing our shortcomings.

Yet, we all have them – areas that need improvement, whether it’s character development, strengthening our plot or writing in close POV.

Not a single writer came into this world with all of these skills sharpened. We have to evolve our writing craft over time.

We might call it failure when our writing falls short of the standards we expect… 

Or, we can identify areas for growth, lessons learned and areas to continue working on.

Your goal in reframing your mindset is to recognize failure as a part of the creative process.

All first drafts need revisions.

Does that mean they are failures?

NO.

They are a milestone in the creative writing process.

A step where we know if we keep plodding forward, our next version of the tale will be even stronger than the last.

Start with your mindset. Become eager to put in the work to keep improving your craft.

Remember that all feedback is an opportunity to seek further evolution in your written work.

If every piece of writing, every single word we put onto the page, is given a “make it or break it” connection to who we are as writers, soon enough, we will stop writing altogether. 

It will no longer feel fulfilling. We will feel drained by the writing process.

Sometimes, we need to write without expectation, just for ourselves.

Take a break from your writing project temporarily and try out stream of consciousness writing instead.

Just get words onto the page. It can be as mundane as you need it to be.

What do I see in front of me?

A round wooden table. A silver laptop and a tissue box.

What thoughts are running through my head right now? 

No need to use full sentences, perfect prose.

JUST LET THE WRITING FLOW.

Morning Pages, a strategy to ignite creativity founded by Julia Cameron, is an excellent daily activity to incorporate into your routine.

Every morning before you do anything else, write 3 pages by hand. 

Write about whatever comes to mind.

Don’t stop. Don’t scratch out sentences or read back your writing.

Cameron calls this removing all the gunk that’s clogging up your creativity.

Get into the habit of writing without purpose regularly, and you may find that when you write for writing’s sake, coming back to your WIP feels less pressure-induced.

Why?

Because not every word is so precious. 

Every word, you realize, can be recrafted later.

Your first stop is to get your ideas down. And as you do so, you continue to hone your craft.

Not writing at all is the failure of not trying.

Improvement in your craft will never occur if you avoid writing.

So, push yourself a little. Write anything.

That action will eventually aid in your mindset shift. It will remind you that the very act of writing means you are a writer.

Coming to the page consistently will become easier over time.

Fears of failure will plague you over the years, but you will see them as a companion on your shoulder to reassure. Continue with the business of writing despite them.

Check out Cameron’s book here.

Giant goals, such as getting published, can be paralyzing. 

When we look forward to that realization of the story we are just now crafting, we can fear it will never come to be and then writer’s block sets in.

We don’t know how to start. We don’t know where to go from here. We don’t know how we’ll ever accomplish this monstrosity of a task.

Instead, ask yourself…

Why do you want to be published? 

What do you hope to feel from writing? 

What do you believe it says about you at your core?

Find that out: YOUR CORE DESIRE

It’s probably not to be published. 

It might be something more like the need for my value to be recognized, to provide for my family, to be a creator of something that came from nothing but me.

Whittle it down to what you really want from this experience.

The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte has amazing reflection questions to guide you through determining your core desired feelings. You can check that out right here.

From that desire, craft smaller, attainable goals.

Goals that you will accomplish in a week, a month, or a quarter.

Goals such as:

 -Write one scene.

-Finish one page today.

-Share what I’ve written with a friend.

Determine the smaller stepping stones on the way to publication – the ones in reach.

All of these milestones need to be accomplished anyway, so set your sights on them and celebrate when they’re fulfilled.

Small win celebrations fuel your motivation to keep going.

Use these moments to reshape your focus.

We are seeking progress, not perfection.

With every small goal you’ve set, accomplished and acknowledged, you’re one step closer to your giant goal.

All the while, your core desire is fueled. You are ignited to persevere.

Do you have scenes coming later in your story that you can see clearly?

Are you eager to write those, but it’s where you are right now that’s got you stuck?

It’s best not to jump around a lot since it can leave gaping plot holes and weave a web of difficult-to-untangle connections as you try to piece all these scenes together coherently.

But if you’re struggling with writer’s block, work on what feels accessible.

A scene you think will be fun to write?

Write it.

A chapter that feels easy?

Write that.

Reboost your excitement for writing by taking a break from the struggle and jumping into the scene that feels clearest or the most exciting.

Indulge yourself for a while.

Take away the pressure until your creative energy is reignited.

I have faith in your ability to piece it all together in the end!

Fearing failure is a human condition. We all face it from time to time. 

But, it doesn’t have to control your writerly life.

When you feel writer’s block creeping in, go back to these strategies.

-Work on your mindset.

-Write with Purpose.

-Determine your why and set smaller goals.

-Write what feels easy. Write what excites you.

Soothe your fears when they first appear, not when writer’s block so tightly holds you that it’s a challenge to reroute yourself.

Even better, build a routine that utilizes these strategies consistently.

They are your toolbox –  a series of habits that help you become your best writerly self.

Shape the writing journey that helps you to persevere.

What often influences your writer’s block?

Share below so that we can all see we’re not alone.

Talk soon!

Julia