Expert Advice On How To Not Fail As A Writer

Have you ever considered quitting? Just giving up on that book, that short story, that epic novel that’s giving you trouble? Are you so fed up you’ve considered quitting writing altogether? Every writer goes through dark seasons along their creative journey. The highs are so thrilling, but that means the lows can feel really devastating. There’s a saying: Successful writers are the ones who keep going.

Writing is hard and there are no guarantees, but if you don’t give up, you’re bound to meet with some measure of success. So if you’re struggling with feelings of failure, or if you’re in that hard place where the thing you love so much has turned into a monster or a chore or a source of anxiety, I want to give you a few (free!) ideas to help you refocus, recharge, and reevaluate your writing from a happier, healthier place.

Don’t quit your writing yet, take a break

Sometimes perspective is the best medicine. You know that classic piece of writing advice—to be as objective as you can about your own work? Yeah, that is incredibly hard to do, especially when you work on a project day in and day out. So before you call it quits, give yourself the gift of perspective. Take an extended break first; walk away and do something else that lets you completely take your mind off of writing for a while. And I don’t mean a day or two, I mean weeks, maybe even months—time for your mind to shift away from your work. If you’re serious about getting perspective, sometimes you really do just need to give it time.

You know yourself better than anyone else; what activity, project, getaway, or hobby can you get absorbed in that will take your mind off writing? Go do that thing, and don’t be afraid to just dive in. Put your book away where you will not touch it. Try your best not to think about it. Now go out and get busy doing that other thing.

Here’s what will happen: you will enjoy yourself! You’ll immerse yourself in something else you love. And there’s no better way to get inspired, to create, to stir motivation to take up your pen (or keyboard) again.

Get inspired to write

One trick you can try to help get motivated when you’re just really not feeling it is to go looking for inspiration. Some writers seem to have an endless well of inspiration just springing from their minds at all times. That’s not true for everyone, though. And when we’re feeling down or uninspired, we need a little help.

Here are a few ideas for fostering that sense of wonder and imagination:

• Make a Pinterest board, Tumblr account, or other online image gallery. Images have a way of inspiring our creativity, planting the seed of a question or idea that often blossoms into a full-blown story. But don’t worry about that for now. Just start a gallery and set aside dedicated and consistent time throughout the week to add to it or browse other users’ galleries.

• Make a playlist of your favorite music or listen to new music. Much like images, music can be an amazing and unlikely source of inspiration. It can transport you in meaningful and surprising ways.

• Watch movies. Movies are narrative. When you watch a movie, you’re feeding your subconscious mind a story while entertaining your conscious mind at the same time. It’s a great way to relax, enjoy yourself, and feed your creative brain all at once.

• Read a book or listen to one on audio. Do you love to read but you’ve been working so hard on your writing that you just haven’t had time for a book? Well, now is a great time to read something new—and NOT for purposes of researching for your book or improving your craft. Just pick up that book you’ve been aching to read, that one that’s been at the top of your To Read list forever. Go turn off your brain for a while and escape into a great story.

• Listen to a radio show. I’m a big fan of podcasts and radio programs. There’s just something unique and engaging about this medium, and its stories and conversations always set my mental wheels spinning. The great thing is that the offerings are endless, there is a radio show to cover practically every topic, so you’re bound to find something that interests you. If you’ve never tried listening to a radio show, do an online search or browse a podcast library, see what’s out there that might interest you. I think you’ll be surprised at the new ways it gets you thinking.

• Get outside. Nature has always been a prime source of inspiration in the arts. I don’t have to tell you how easy it is to avoid our natural environment in this digital world. Go take a walk, rest on a patio, sit by a river, hike through the woods, just get out and go somewhere. Enjoy yourself and get some rest outside. See if you don’t feel refreshed and inspired.

Go help someone

Have you ever participated in charity work? It’s of course important for the sake of helping those in need, but it’s also a way to connect with unlikely neighbors. If you step out into someone else’s world, lend a helping hand, and just start talking and listening, you’ll see that every person has a story. Maybe you already know that. But there’s something about making a new friend, hearing a true-life story that inspires a longing to construct our own stories again.

If this strikes a chord with you, if you’re struggling to stay motivated in your writing or grappling with feelings of failure, let me just say: You’re not alone. It can feel lonely and isolating. Burnout is frustrating and disheartening. But don’t let it push you into quitting; don’t give up too early on this thing that has brought you so much joy and fulfillment. Burnout isn’t permanent. You can feel those highs again and rediscover your passion for your craft, for that project that’s giving you trouble right now. Please give yourself the gift of time away to rest, recharge, and reload your creativity bank.

What tricks do you have for combating burnout? How has your writing benefitted from extended time away to explore other interests?