10 Writer Roadblocks (You’re Not Alone)
You’re a solution-oriented person. While there’s not always a perfect answer for every situation, you know there’s a Rolodex of tools at your disposal to help eliminate any mountain in your path – or at the very least, to climb over it. But no matter how positive of a person you may be or how much of a cheerleader you are to your friends, everyone has those days when they can’t stomach the motivational, “keep your chin up” mentality. We know it’s right, we know it’s helpful, but unless we’re in the right frame of mind to have our chin lifted, it’s unwarranted, annoying chatter.
Sometimes we just need to know we’re not alone. Because writers lead such solitary work lives, the biggest comfort might not always come from a glossy solution but from taking solace in knowing that the roadblocks, feelings, and frustrations we’re going through have been experienced before.
So in the spirit of community, here are ten writer roadblocks that all scribes can relate to, with the solution being the relating itself.
#1 Procrastination
No matter how talented, successful, or motivated an artist may be, he or she has experienced procrastination. You know you’re procrastinating when you end up doing tasks that have been on your to do list for months: organizing files, cleaning out junk drawers, getting a jump start on taxes…
Disciplined writers have learned to identify this trap and fight their way through it but rest assured, you’re not the only one who decided that instead of writing, now would be a great time to update your Christmas card list (in June).
#2 Deadline Anxiety
Nothing puts a weight on creativity like a ticking clock. “Could you create a fantastical world, unique characters, and a compelling conflict? Oh, and could you have that turned in by 5pm EST?”
Writers who have been in the game for a while have the luxury of knowing that they always get it done – that’s been their experience. But the anxiety of how the project will be completed often remains a mystery – even for seasoned pros.
#3 Falling Out of Love
You’ve invested countless time and energy on a current project. The light at the end of the tunnel is shining. You know if you just roll up your sleeves and work a little longer you’ll reach the story’s finish line. But something happens around this time. You start to daydream about other stories and brainstorm about other characters. You come to the realization that you’re just not excited to tell this story anymore.
Maybe you’ve changed. Maybe your story’s changed. Whatever it is, you’re ready to move on to the next project before you’ve completed this one. Then the age-old question becomes, “to scrap, or not to scrap?”
#4 Distractions
It’s your big writing day and the whole project is mapped out. This is the day you’re going to dive in and only come up for food and water. It’s a crucial time for your project and the pressure is on to be wildly productive. Then, as if the universe is testing you, here comes the parade of distractions.
Your friend goes through a breakup and needs to talk. The Internet goes down. Judging by the noise outside, there seems to be an episode of “Cops” happening in your neighborhood. Whatever the case, everything that hasn’t needed attention for months is suddenly screaming at you on this day.
#5 Odd Hours
Those who have the luxury of setting their own hours know that this freedom is a blessing and a curse. As hard as you’ll try to keep a set schedule, any artist knows that when inspiration strikes, you better be ready.
A creative streak will inevitably come that’s thrilling from start to finish – unfortunately it ends around 4am. Then, before you know it, you’re not sure if what you just ate was breakfast or lunch. Your hours are way off and as much as you want to feel like an adult with an “early to rise” attitude, you’ve now experienced the calm that only 2am provides and are secretly looking forward to your next “after hours” writing streak.
#6 Rejection
Possibly the worst part of being a writer, rejection is something we must all learn to deal with. And while we learn to handle it better and better each time, it doesn’t mean the feeling of rejection gets easier.
Nothing can take the wind out of our sails faster than when someone doesn’t “get” the project that makes us feel so darn alive. How can they not appreciate that funny twist at the end? How do they not feel compassion for my protagonist? A great deal of work goes into creating these worlds so when someone rejects them – for whatever reason – it stings. And it happens to the very, very best of us.
#7 Behind on Life
You’ve had the opportunity to dive into your project for a few days or weeks and feel extremely accomplished. You come up for air, excited to see daylight and friends again, then get hit with a pile of mail, messages, and mundane grown-up tasks. These are usually manageable and only slightly annoying when they’re spread out, but all together they feel like punishment for your creative vacation.
Showering and washing the t-shirt you’ve stayed in for the past three days is a start, but now you have to buy groceries, get an oil change, and be placed on a “brief hold” with some kind of insurance company for half an hour. Welcome back to society.
#8 Killing Babies
You’ve gotten feedback on your book from respected colleagues and to your dismay, one of your favorite things in the story needs to be taken out. You were so proud of that moment! In fact, it was one of your favorite parts in the entire story.
That moment, joke, or character perfectly captured your voice and represents what you’re trying to do in storytelling. Why must you take it out? Because a handful of trusted people are having the same experience with it and at the end of the day, your story is for your reader, not you. The harsh reality is that while your moment is wonderful, it takes away from the overall story and you must kill your darling.
#9 Clueless
You’ve been so excited about this project. You’ve raved about it to your friends and colleagues. You feel like the timing is perfect for the world to hear this tale and your voice and skills have effortlessly poured onto the page. Finally, your talent is being utilized in every way possible!
After all your edits, you sit down to enjoy this story as a finished product when a panic starts to bubble up inside… You have no earthly idea if it’s any good. You’ve spent so much time rewriting, cutting, and crafting moments that it’s impossible for you to see it with fresh eyes. All you can do is now is hope and pray your efforts weren’t in vain.
#10 It’s Already Been Done
You’re just bursting at the seams to share the idea you’re working on. It’s universal with a creative twist, and has riveting characters to follow along through the journey. You’ve devoted every waking hour toward crafting this world when an article in the Hollywood Reporter comes out. It’s your story! Except it’s not.
Someone else, with a lot of money, is making the same thing. Their story is so similar to yours that you begin to wonder if your phone was tapped. Every writer knows (and fears) that these things happen all the time. Now every time you tell someone what you’re working on, they say, “Oh, your story is like Stephen King’s story!” And you say in a bitter tone, “No… His story is like mine.”
Like any relationship, writing has its ups and downs – why not be transparent about all our experiences? When you are ready for a little solution-oriented positivity and want to rekindle that flame with writing, try these 5 Ways To Fall In Love With Writing Again.
David L. Hancock,
Founder, Morgan James