How To Deal With Discouragement As A Writer:

Discouragement is something I would say 99% if not 100% of writers experience in their writing journey. So today, if you are feeling discouraged, I pray that this post will bring you not only some encouragement but more importantly some practical ways to deal with this discouragement you're feeling.

So here are some ways to handle your discouragement:

1) Discouragement Over Your Own Writing

I know personally one of the hardest things I face is sitting down in front of the computer and staring at a blank screen not able to put any words down because everything I've written so far hasn't been good or what I want. Sometimes the most discouraging part of writing is not being able to put down those words because you believe/feel nothing you write is good enough.

If this is what you're feeling, this feeling of "what is the point when nothing I write is any good" then let me bring you some encouragement by reworking your way of approaching this feeling.

The foundation of this new way of thinking is based on this thought: You CAN'T Edit A Blank Page.

I can't remember where I first heard this piece of advice, but it has helped me so much because it is SO true! There is no way to improve your writing if there is nothing written. You have to have something there to improve upon. Whatever you're writing, whether you are in the first, second, or third draft, your writing will only improve with time. You will continue to go through many edits, not only your own but also likely through professional edits. So DO NOT sweat if your writing isn't that great at the moment! The very first sentences, paragraphs you write will be the worst your story will ever be. It will only improve from there.

"Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere."

~ Anne Lamott

"Writing is wretched, discouraging, physically unhealthy, infinitely frustrating work. And when it all comes together it's utterly glorious."

~ Ralph Peters

"Every first draft is perfect because all a first draft has to do is exist."

~ Jane Smiley

2) Discouragement Over Feeling Inadequate To Others

I entered a writing competition this past year that was kind of out of my realm. It was a flash fiction contest with writing prompts limited to a VERY small word count. And, for those of you who don't know, I am a very wordy writer! So this competition was challenging. However, I enjoyed it because it helped me branch out of my typical realm of writing.

But, this only lasted so long. Not long after the competition started I to feel very discouraged. Why you ask? Well because I was feeling less than (inadequate) to the other writers. The winners of the short writing prompt contests were writers with a VERY different writing style and genre than what I have. And it was very discouraging because I started questioning my writing. Was my writing bad? Was I writing in the wrong genre? Am I not cut out to be a writer because I'm not as good as these other writers?

I am sure, many have asked themselves these very questions or ones similar to the ones above. If you have, here are some truths to defeat these lies of inadequacy.

(First thing I want to say is if you are in a similar situation as I was above where you're in a competition that is bringing you discouragement I would like to encourage you to take a step back from the competition. Because ultimately if it is only bringing you discouragement it isn't worth it in the end.)

Now, the truths to battle these lies:

1. You grow in your writing over time. So if you're feeling like your writing skills are less than someone else's remind yourself that they might have been writing longer than you and with time your writing is only going to improve.

2. No genre is superior to another. There are genres for a reason. Readers gravitate toward the kind of story with the genre they like. I personally gravitate towards romance, dystopian, and some fantasy. Now, I'm not the reader to go for the Sci-Fi books, they aren't my cup of tea. BUT, this does not mean they aren't someone else's cup of tea. There will be readers out there for the genre you are writing because there are readers out there for every type of genre.

3. Only you can write the story you have to tell. This is important to know because I think some of us often wonder if someone else would do a better job at writing the story we have to tell. Or we worry that someone else has already told the story we want to tell. This is a lie because there's nothing new under the sun, so it's likely that someone has written a story out there similar to yours. BUT this does not mean it's identical, or even that it's anything remotely like yours other than say the main concept. Why you ask? Because no one else can tell the story the way that you will tell that story.

4. You have something to bring to the table that others don't. Similar to point 3, this is a reminder that your story/stories will have something that other stories don't because you have been through things, and seen things, that others haven't. Everyone is different in the way they think, the way they see things, the things they go through. So you can and always bring something unique to your story that others won't be able to.

"I think new writers are too worried that it has all been said before. Sure it has, but not by you."

~ Asha Dornfest

3) Other Overall Encouragement For Discouragement

Finally, I just want to leave you all with some overall encouragement.

1. First, let me challenge your thinking. I want you to take a moment to bring to mind that favorite author of yours or that favorite book of yours. Now ask yourself what your life would be like if that favorite author or that author of your favorite book had given in their discouragement. Because I can confidently say that that person you are thinking of was discouraged at least once if not many times. They might have been seconds away from giving in to their discouragement and throwing in the writing towel and giving up. Take a moment to think about the way things would be if they had given up. Let that thought sink in.

2. Take a moment to remind yourself why you started writing. More specifically why you started writing this one WIP (Work In Progress)? You started this for a reason. Likely, a very important reason. Don't let your discouragement stop you from completing that reason.

3. Someday you might very well be someone's favorite author. You might be the author of their favorite book. You might be the very person who writes the book someone out there NEEDS.

4. All you have to do is touch one person with your writing, even if that person is YOU.

5. Your words are impactful and powerful. So, NEVER EVER let yourself buy into the lie that what you are doing is pointless. You are creating something great with your words! Something that could change the world!

"You think you'll go nowhere with your writing? Do you think your favorite Author had ANY idea they would be so successful?"

~ Pinterest Pin

"Here's the thing: The book that will most change your life is the book you write."

~ Seth Godin

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I pray that this brought you some encouragement and truths to battle your discouragement. It is a hard battle we have to fight not only as writers but also as everyday humans. I pray God uses this post to touch ALL of you!

If you need any further encouragement or simply have a question please leave it below in the comments or contact me directly.

With Love, Kathryn Hawke