Writers in the Storm

by Kris Maze

As writers, it's important to take care of your mental health to maintain our productivity and to have a balanced, happy writing life. Sometimes this means taking a break from writing to attend to the important aspects of being a good human and to reset our minds for better creativity. Even when we have writing deadlines to deal with, let’s remember to take care of ourselves too.

At WITS, we encourage writers to focus on their well-being and to tap into good mental health habits. Take time to check in with your own writing tensions to find a more satisfying writing journey. 

Here are some simple hacks to help you de-stress and improve your writing life:

1. Deep Breathing 

Take slow, deep breaths to calm your mind and reduce stress. Deep breathing can increase focus and clarity, leading to better writing. This tip doesn’t take much time and can be done almost anywhere, while doing practically anything, like sitting at your writing desk, driving in your car, or while doing household chores. 

Want more guidance? Check out the videos below.

• Belly breathing helps to quiet anxious feeling and can refresh you wherever you are.
• Box Breathing helps you to calm down, reduce stress, and re-set your mood.
• Alternate Nostril Breathing helps to bring energy to your body and calm you.

Take time to refresh your body and it will reward you. Breathing exercises can improve your physical feelings as you destress in better your mental outlook.

2. Mindful Writing Breaks

Schedule short breaks to practice mindfulness. This can help you stay present and reduce anxiety, leading to more inspired writing sessions. When we can remove negative mental blocks, we free up our thinking to write with more clarity and purpose.

Character Sketch Break:

Take a break to sketch. When finished review your picture. Does the character look the way you perceived them in your mind? Tell a detailed description of one of your characters to a friend or writing partner. They can often provide insights that you may have missed.

Draw your protagonist's physical appearance in a profile picture. Consider how you depict their expression and how it shows their personality traits. Do they have a shy smile? A calculated fixed Insta-ready face? A slowly creeping sneer? Drawing the description of your character can help you deepen your understanding of the character’s traits and liven up your story.

Setting Exploration Break:

Use your break to explore and describe a setting from your story in your imagination. Sit back on your couch or try doing this while walking on the treadmill. Keep paper or your phone nearby to jot down or record new insights. Imagine yourself in the world you've created and describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a key location. 

Ask yourself was sensations you feel on your skin. Moisture from the drizzling rain? Heat from the blazing sun? Soft chills from the gentle breeze near a lake? 

How do your other senses interact with your setting? Are there strong aromas? Lots of noise or deafening silence? Can you taste the salty air of the sea? Imagining your setting can help you visualize your setting more vividly and add depth to your writing.

Dialogue Practice Break:

Practice writing dialogue between two characters by enacting a scene aloud.  You could try role playing with a friend or hold the conversation by yourself. Perhaps don’t try this one in your regular coffee shop writing venue – it could be confusing to other customers. *wink*

Envision a conversation between your protagonist and a supporting character about a key plot point. Focus on making the dialogue natural and engaging. This can help you refine your characters' voices and improve your dialogue skills.

Or try interviewing your character using helpful questions from this WITS post by Eldred Bird.

These writing-inspired breaks can help you stay connected to your story and characters while giving your mind a rest from intense writing sessions.

3. Stretching

Stretching improves circulation and relieves muscle tension, promoting relaxation and better posture for long writing sessions. Adding stretching can keep your body moving and your mind happily writing.  Add these stretches to your writing routine for better productivity.

Here are three video sessions to walk you through a routine in only a few minutes. 

• How to stretch at work take care of you basic stretch
• Yoga at your desk by Yoga with Adriene
• 4 Minute OFFICE STRETCHING(full body) *peppy music alert for this one!

Have fun with this little guided video breaks or find your own new favorites. Your body thanks you.

4. Nature Walks

Spending time in nature can boost creativity and reduce stress. Take a short walk to clear your mind and stimulate new ideas. This is one of my favorite mind-cleansing activities that I use to find inspiration. Try these suggestions below to destress.

National Parks:

National parks offer vast, unspoiled landscapes with diverse flora and fauna, providing a rich source of inspiration for writers. If you are lucky to live near a national or state park, don’t take it for granted, but try getting some writing inspiration from it.

Visit a national park to explore its natural beauty and unique ecosystems. What elements can you use in your world building?  What features stand out to you and how can they be woven into your writing? While at a contemplative spot in the park, try writing a descriptive piece about the landscape, focusing on sensory details like sights, sounds, and smells. 

Beaches:

Beaches provide a tranquil setting with the soothing sound of waves and breathtaking views of the ocean, ideal for contemplation and creativity. Ocean are also wild and dangerous as waves and ocean animals can change your mindset at any moment.  Spending time on a beach can provide a variety of inspirational experiences.

Spend time at a beach to relax and unwind. While there, write a short story or poem inspired by the sea, using the rhythmic sound of the waves as a backdrop for your writing. Not the warm and sunny kind of beach? Find a cozy cottage or coffee shop and watch the churning waters from a safe distance.

Mountains:

Mountainous regions offer majestic landscapes, fresh mountain air, and a sense of solitude that can inspire introspection and creativity. Their ruggedness can inspire us to write difficult stories or scenes that depend on determination and grit.

Explore mountainous terrain to experience its grandeur and beauty. While hiking, take breaks to jot down your thoughts or observations, using the landscape as a metaphor for your own creative journey. 

How do you feel while traversing a rocky gorge? While cresting a peak or hitting the summit? Capture these feelings and sensations and add them to your novel.

Botanical Gardens:

Botanical gardens showcase a wide variety of plant species in beautifully landscaped settings, providing a peaceful environment for writing and reflection. Many cities have curated gardens and public displays of flora.

Visit a botanical garden to admire its beauty and diversity. While there, practice mindfulness by focusing on the details of a single flower or plant, and then write a poem or reflective piece inspired by your observations. Taking time to examine a specific plant you are not familiar with can open your appreciation to how details add depth to your story.

Rivers and Lakes:

Rivers and lakes offer tranquil settings with the soothing sound of flowing water and opportunities for water-based activities like kayaking or canoeing. Not into water sports? Sit by the edge and watch others as they fish and paddle along. What do you notice? There is always drama on the water.

Spend time by your local body of water to connect with nature's rhythm. While there, try a stream-of-consciousness writing exercise, allowing your thoughts to flow freely as you listen to the gentle sounds of the water. (Please excuse the little pun-fun.)

These natural settings offers you the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, find inspiration in their surroundings, and recharge your creative energies.

5. Journaling

Write about your thoughts and emotions to release stress and gain clarity. Journaling can also help you understand your writing process better. Try one of these suggestions below to help elevate stress in your life.

Gratitude Journaling:

Each day, take a few minutes to write down three things you're grateful for, no matter how big or small. These could be moments of joy, acts of kindness, or simply the beauty of nature around you.

This practice helps shift your focus from negative to positive aspects of your life, reducing stress, improving your mood, and fostering a sense of well-being.

Emotional Release Writing:

Set aside 10-15 minutes to write without judgment or censorship. Let your thoughts and emotions flow freely onto the page, exploring whatever comes to mind.

This exercise provides a safe outlet for processing and releasing pent-up emotions, leading to a greater sense of clarity, relief, and emotional balance.

Positive Affirmation Journaling:

Write down a positive affirmation or mantra that resonates with you, such as "I am worthy of love and respect," and reflect on its meaning for a few minutes each day.

Repeating positive affirmations can help boost self-confidence, reduce self-doubt, and cultivate a more positive mindset, leading to improved mental and emotional well-being.

Processing your thoughts and feelings through journaling can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. This can also lead to a better writing life.

6. Digital Detox

Take regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain and mental fatigue. Disconnecting can improve focus and creativity. If you could use a break from technology, try one of the suggestions below.

Set Specific Times for Digital Use:

Allocate specific times of the day for using digital devices and avoid them during other times. This can include setting boundaries for work-related digital activities as well as personal use.

Use digital devices only during work hours and switch them off in the evenings. This can reduce distractions and allow for more focused, creative thinking, leading to improved writing productivity and quality.

Unplug for a Day:

Choose a day each week to completely unplug from all digital devices, including smartphones, computers, and tablets. This means no checking emails, social media, or using digital entertainment.

Spend a day engaging in analog activities like reading a physical book, going for a walk, or spending time with loved ones. This can help clear your mind, reduce stress, and stimulate new ideas, enhancing your creativity and overall well-being.

Limit Social Media Use:

Set a daily or weekly limit for using social media platforms and consider using apps or features that track and limit your usage.

Limit social media use to 30 minutes per day. This can free up time for more creative pursuits like writing, reading, or brainstorming. It can prevent feelings of comparison or distraction, allowing you to focus more on your own ideas and voice.

Create Tech-Free Zones:

Designate certain areas in your home or workspace as tech-free zones where digital devices are not allowed.

Create a reading nook or a writing corner without digital devices. This can provide a peaceful environment for writing, free from the distractions of screens and notifications, and encourage deeper thinking and creativity.

Digital-Free Activities:

Engage in activities that do not involve digital devices, such as outdoor activities, hobbies, or creative pursuits.

Take a nature walk, read a physical book, or practice a hobby like painting or knitting. This can stimulate creativity by providing a mental break from screens and allowing your mind to wander and explore new ideas, which can be beneficial for overcoming writer's block or generating fresh perspectives.

7. Healthy Snacks

Fuel your body with nutritious snacks to maintain energy levels and avoid mood swings, which can affect your writing mood. Here are five tips for eating healthy snacks that connect to writing, along with ways you can be inspired by the foods you eat.

Choose Nutrient-Dense Snacks:

When you reach for a snack, opt for snacks that are rich in nutrients to fuel your brain and body.

 Writing Fuel Inspiration: Research the nutritional benefits of the foods you eat and incorporate them into your writing. For example, write a scene where a character enjoys a delicious and nutritious snack, highlighting its positive effects on their energy and mood.

Include Protein and Fiber:

Include protein and fiber in your snacks to help you feel full and satisfied.

Writing Fuel Inspiration: Write about the textures and flavors of the foods you eat, using vivid descriptions to create sensory experiences for your readers. For example, describe the crunchiness of an apple or the creaminess of Greek yogurt.

Limit Added Sugars:

Avoid snacks with added sugars, as they can lead to energy crashes and mood swings.

Writing Fuel Inspiration: Use your snack choices to inspire healthy eating habits in your characters. Write a scene where a character makes a conscious decision to choose a nutritious snack over a sugary treat, showcasing their commitment to health and well-being.

Stay Hydrated:

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain focus.

Writing Fuel Inspiration: Incorporate the theme of hydration into your writing by exploring the importance of water in different cultures or using water as a metaphor for clarity and renewal in your stories.

Incorporate Colorful Fruits and Vegetables:

Include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your snacks to ensure you're getting a range of vitamins and minerals.

Writing Fuel Inspiration: Use the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables to inspire descriptions in your writing. For example, describe a character's outfit using the colors of a fruit bowl, or use the imagery of a colorful salad to describe a lush garden setting.

Now it’s Your Turn

Incorporating these simple mental health tricks into your routine can have a profound impact on your outlook and writing. By taking care of your mental health, you can reduce stress, boost creativity, and enhance your overall well-being. 

These practices can help you stay focused and motivated, overcome writer's block, and approach your writing with a fresh perspective. By prioritizing your mental health, you can cultivate a positive mindset and create a more fulfilling and enjoyable writing experience.

Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for producing your best work! 💖📝 #WriterWellness #WritingCommunity #SelfCareForAuthors

What is your favorite idea for a quick break? Share it with our readers today!

About Kris

Kris Maze, an education enthusiast with a knack for the written word, has dedicated several years to the world of academia. She writes for various publications including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and award-winning blog Writers in the Storm where she is also a host.

You can find her YA fiction, writing resources, and keep up with her author events at KrisMaze.com. Find her darker, scarier fiction at her sister-site KrissyKnoxx.com.

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, learning languages, and spending time outdoors where she ponders the wisdom of Bob Ross.

And sometimes she gives away Advanced Reader Copies!

ARC's for my Readers

I am looking for a few readers for my speculative fiction short story collection. Filled with science fiction, horror, other scary stuff, try out my novel that launches in June for free.  Space is limited, so reach out today for your copy.

Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories 

Scaretastic and Sci-fi Stories presents a chilling collection of tales that entertain, terrify, and challenge your perception of existence. Venture into the unknown with these twisted narratives that dare you to explore the darker corners of your imagination.

• Uncover hidden truths in a paradise where reality is a mirage.
• Confront the curse of a greed-driven ghost in a rural town.
• Survive beyond the Dome, where secrets can be a matter of life or death.
• Race against time in a Mustang where betrayal has deadly consequences.
• Relive the glory days of a teacher's mishap in a cornfield adventure.
• Risk it all in a futuristic metropolis as an asteroid hurtles towards Earth.

Each story in this collection is a gripping journey that will leave you questioning the boundaries of our world and the depths of human nature. Are you brave enough to take the path less traveled?

by Piper Bayard of Bayard & Holmes

Many genres involve characters who at some point experience fear, and it is common for them to want to hide in their homes. Everything from creepy shadows, to hang up calls, to ominous social media posts or threats by mobsters can have our characters holing up. 

Today, my military and intelligence veteran writing partner, Jay Holmes, and I are going to explore effective ways our characters can protect themselves in their homes when an antagonist is coming after them.

#1 -  Perimeter Lights

Dark houses are much easier targets for all crimes than well-lit houses. Porch lights and motion-activated lights are great for a starting point, but perimeter lights that surround the property and illuminate dark spaces on the house and the grounds are better at deterring criminals. Lit grounds also give someone inside a dark house the advantage when a threat is outside. 

I know what you’re thinking. . . . What about the neighbors? What about the HOA?

The way to deal with those potential obstacles is “landscape lighting.” 

Good decorative solar lights can brighten driveways, highlight shrubs, define fence lines, etc. As for the house, strings of small white LED lights can line porches and roofs, providing enough illumination to be a deterrence. Landscape elements such as trees or water features are also great opportunities to place strategic spotlights for the sake of aesthetics.

My own HOA objected to the white lights surrounding the outside of my house. In response, I tucked them up to the roof of the porch where only the actual light is seen from the street, and I increased the number of solar landscaping lights. Now it’s compliments from my neighbors instead of complaints, and you could land a plane in my yard.

Keep in mind that perimeter lights can also be “holiday lights.” One obnoxious neighbor of mine has a 12’ skeleton in her yard year-round. She fights back against the HOA by putting different colored lights on it every month or two and calling it a “holiday decoration.”

The HOA has yet to find a way to force her to take it down. If you don’t mind changing out your perimeter lights every few weeks, this is another route to take. Not the massive skeleton . . . please . . . but the perpetual holiday lighting.

#2 - Doorbell Camera

A doorbell camera is not only useful for checking to see who is on the porch, but it also keeps a character from having to look through a peep hole in the door. 

As soon as a peep hole is covered, a nefarious individual, such as an assassin, will assume it is covered by a face, at which point it’s easy to kill someone through a door. Our characters will have to do better than that.

A word of caution

While doorbell cameras are great for seeing who is outside when you are at home, a character that is worried for their safety should NOT put the app for their doorbell camera on their phone. Instead, link it to a computer inside the house. 

This is because when people go out into the world with their phones in their pockets, their phones and apps can easily be hacked. The doorbell camera that lets the character know who is at the door will also allow the hacker to spy on the character.

#3 - Security Cameras

Security cameras inside the house can be helpful for our characters, as well. Our characters can use these cameras to make sure no one entered their property while they were away, and they can use the cameras to keep an eye on other rooms and spaces while they are at home.

The same caution we applied for doorbell cameras goes for indoor security cameras. 

If our characters can use cameras to spy on others, others can use the cameras to spy on them. That’s why our characters need to take some precautions if they are going to use inside cameras at their homes. 

Three ways to do this like a pro:

A. Like the doorbell cameras, it’s best to link the indoor cameras and recorders to a computer rather than to the phone in our character’s pocket. Otherwise, predators can hack into the cameras rather easily to spy on our characters.

B. When our characters enter their own property, they need to turn the cameras away from the living spaces. They should do this not only to keep hackers and other bad actors from spying on them, but to keep governments and electronics corporations from spying on them, as well. 

Data is the new oil, and electronics corporations are infamous for using all of those “smart” devices to glean data for themselves and for foreign countries. (See Spycraft: Essentials by Bayard & Holmes.) And yes. Contrary to popular belief, regular people are that interesting.

C. Conceal cameras and any recording devices. If an antagonist enters the home and sees the cameras or recording devices, they can destroy or steal the electronics, thus obliterating the evidence.

#4 – Dogs

Dogs are a great deterrent to crime, particularly to random crimes where a specific person is not targeted. Even if the dogs are a bit friendlier than Cujo, solid barking will most likely keep our characters from being surprised in their own homes.

Notice I use the word “dogs” in the plural. That is because studies show that two or more dogs are far more of a deterrent to criminals than only one dog. Apparently, per Holmes, while one dog can be a threat to a bad actor, two or more dogs are far more psychologically intimidating.

Barking doorbells can be great for the allergy sufferers who, unlike me, do not let dogs into their space. *sniff* *cough* *pets the dogs* 

These devices can sound exceptionally realistic, and the barks can be randomized so that it’s not the same pattern of “woof, woof” playing every time the bell rings.

#5 - Brains

In other words, our characters should think before opening their doors. They should stay away from the peepholes. They need to spy on the people at their doors before unlocking. Our characters need to embrace the sad fact that no matter how tasty those Thin Mints are, it’s probably not a Girl Scout ringing the bell at 1 a.m. Situational awareness is always the best defense.

Our next article will give more tips on how frightened characters can protect themselves in their homes. Until then, what questions do you have about home defense? And definitely please share any home defense techniques you already use down in the comments!

About Bayard & Holmes

Piper Bayard and Jay Holmes of Bayard & Holmes are the authors of espionage tomes and international spy thrillers. Please visit Piper and Jay at their site, BayardandHolmes.com. For notices of their upcoming releases, subscribe to the Bayard & Holmes Covert Briefing. You can also contact Bayard & Holmes at their Contact page, on X (formerly Twitter) at @piperbayard, on Facebook at Piper Bayard, or at their email, BayardandHolmes@protonmail.com.

You sit down to write but no words come. Or you grind out a few dozen or hundreds of words, then delete them all because the structure wasn’t there or the characters weren’t right or the sentences were crap. You bemoan the fact that writing is hard and you think maybe this writing gig isn’t for you. If this describes you, don’t despair. You aren’t the first writer who has struggled with getting words on the page. And you won’t be the last one. Nor will this week, month, or year be the last time you experience this struggle. 

Why does it have to be so hard? There’s a lot to learn about developing story ideas, about writing effective sentences, about the craft of story, about what works best for you, and many more big and small pieces of the process. You could be in a state of word-paralysis because you fear you don’t know enough. Or you agonize over not having enough talent, or about snaring this  or that agent or publisher. Maybe as you write, your internal editor is telling you that what you’ve written will get you a scathing review on Amazon. Take a deep breath.

Writing is hard but it shouldn’t always be hard. Yeah, a crappy first (second, third, whatever) draft can be torment, but allow the bliss to happen, too.

The Torment

Your first dream of what a writer's life is may have been a tad over-romantic. Visions of a beautiful attic office, of bestseller lists, and throngs of fans waiting for your autograph evaporate when reality sets in. If you get caught in the torment of a crappy first draft, that dream morphs into something unreachable or a nasty nightmare. Identify what torments you and you can overcome it. While overcoming your torment may not lead to that over-romantic dream, you can experience the bliss of being a writer more often than the torment.

Indecision

Sometimes the thing that holds you back is indecision about what you want to write. You kind of know what you want to write, but you can't decide what your main character's name is or you can't decide if you want to write a romcom or a psychological thriller. Being undecided can feel safer than choosing. If you're stuck deciding what to write, then you won't be stuck writing the first page.

The Blank Page

You want to write something brilliant, a story for the ages, or a story that's deeply meaningful to you. Yet, getting those first words in black and white can make your fingers freeze and your mind blank. 

Whatever form it may take for you, sometimes starting is looking up the craggy, dangerous climb up the tallest mountain. 

Self-doubt

Self-doubt is a constant worry that you're not good enough or capable enough. You can't help but question whether the words you've written tell the story you see in your head. And if you compare yourself to an established and admired author, your self-doubt grows exponentially. 

These doubts chip away at our self-confidence and our progress. It gets harder and harder to put words on the page. Or to move on from a chapter or scene where something "isn't right." Some people call this "imposter syndrome" or "writer's block." It can progress into a crippling certainty that every word you write is crap.  

Time is Your Enemy

This is the fear that you're taking too long to write your story. Focusing on how long you take to accomplish something, you have given yourself two choices: you take too long or not long enough. Time is a precious commodity for us all, but making time your enemy only increases the pressure. Increased pressure may help you, too much pressure and it will slow or stop your progress.

Perfectionism

Closely related to self-doubt is perfectionism. You want to produce a masterful story, but the pressure of the desire or need to be perfect keeps you from moving your story forward. You polish and revise and then polish again. But you still see all the imperfections, so you go back and revise again. Progress is slow at best and sometimes, progress is nonexistent.

Oh, how I wanted to write the perfect version of my first story. That perfectionism meant I spent hours laboring over my words. Erasing, replacing, and starting over again and again was my M. O. For years.

Sometimes sneaky, sometimes blatant, the desire or need to be perfect shows up as high personal standards, strong self-criticism, and sensitivity to negative comments or reviews.

Overcome the Torment

It can be a struggle to overcome the thoughts that torment you, but it can be done. You can find advice on how to do this all over the internet. But if that advice is wrong for you, your torment gets more tortured and more painful. What to do? Look at the advice here and elsewhere online. Like shopping for clothes or preparing for a marathon, it takes a lot of trying on. What fits today might not fit tomorrow, but keep it in your files for later because it might be just right for another time or project. 

Why work so hard? To experience the bliss more than once in a lifetime, to live in the bliss, you must move through and overcome the torment.

Play Mind Games

You expect things like learning to walk, learning to drive, and learning to be a brain surgeon to take time and repetition. The problem is that you hear stories from early in your life. You learn to read and write at a young age, so that should make storytelling easy, right? Not quite. You learn and relearn with each story you write. So practice some self-compassion.

Turn your negative thinking into positive thoughts. Stop thinking of the first, or any, draft as "bad." There are no bad drafts. Reframe your thoughts. Instead of this is the crappy draft say, you've made progress (however you measure that.) Or I have a diamond in the rough that I can shape into the story I want to tell. 

Reframing negative thoughts into positives takes time and lots of repetition. Decide on one negative thought you want to change and practice it for a month or two. Then move on to the next one. 

Beat Indecision and the Blank Page

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

Stephen King

It's easy to say, just decide. But sometimes you have to trick your internal editor (your mind). If you can't decide on an idea. Tell yourself you're going to take some notes. Journal about what you like about each idea and what you don't. Dictate the story. Draw a scene in the story.  How does that work? Your internal editor has fewer expectations of when you take notes, journal, dictate, or draw. That gives you the freedom to express yourself. 

Do what you need to to start. When I started writing, I used an electric typewriter. The sound of the machine's hum screamed at me, "write the next word." Sometimes I'd have to turn off the machine and use pen and paper in order to start. 

Find the method that allows you to give up expectations of perfection or of how the story is supposed to go. Allow yourself to be imperfect and messy and chaotic. At some point, your inner storyteller will take over. When it does, let the words dance across the page. 

Get Over the Idea of Scarcity

There are people who insist that the book industry is doomed. That the print book is dead or that no one reads anymore. So why write? Historically, readers haven't been a high percentage of the people on the planet. Yet, books written a hundred years ago are still being read. Thousands of books are purchased each year. No, the book industry isn't dead or dying. It is continuing to evolve. Read reputable marketing reports to keep up.

Another rumor that needs to be quelled is that there are too many writers out there. That some writers must "move along" and get out of the way of newer writers. They aren't in your way because they aren't your competition. There may be overlap between your audience and theirs, but your books are unique to you. And your readers know that. 

Give Up the Idea of Limited Time

None of us know exactly how much time we have. Each of us has responsibilities, needs, and wants that pull us away from our writing. But all of us have the same 24-hour days. Use your time as wisely as you can. Lean into what works for you. Some writers get up before the distractions of the day and write during the wee morning hours. Others write in their cars, while on the subway, or during a child's sporting event. 

Consider that impatience colors your view of time. You want to finish that book. Be your best friend and cheerleader. You will finish that book. You will learn what your best process is. You will not give up.

Conquer Self-Doubt

"There is a big difference between ‘falling' and ‘failing.’”

Jenny Hansen quoting Simon Sinek

Okay, that title might be optimistic. We all suffer some doubts. Crippling self-doubt is the bully at school. It keeps you from doing what you want to and can do. Play a trick on your brain if you have to. How? List your self-doubts. Then, take each thing on that list and turn it around. Change "I'm not creative enough" to "I am awakening my creativity." Change "I can't finish a story" to "I will get closer to finishing that story today." Repeat those positive statements every day before you begin your writing session. Then practice doing what you said. Even if you only do this for five minutes a day, you will become more confident. (If you need more about affirmations, see Julie Glover’s recent post.)

Give up the Idea of Perfect

Yes, some authors and "experts" say don't re-write your story. That is assuming you have internalized how to tell a story well. Some of those authors, revises as they go. Others have internalized storytelling so completely they can write a successful story in very few drafts. 

 "Mistakes, inconsistencies, and ugly sentences in first drafts are not fatal. They're not even serious problems. They're barely non-serious problems."

Laura VanArendonk Baugh 

No one writes a perfect first draft, not the folks who say don't re-write, and not even the authors of books that are classics or books that top the charts. Remember the books you've read books with flaws. Those are the flaws that bother you, so you notice them. The books you love appear to have no flaws, because the story resonates with you. 

Successful authors write the best story they can at the time. At a different time, they could not write the same story because their experiences, interests, and skills are different. Allow yourself the grace to write stories that are the best you can do now.

Find The Bliss 

A novel, even a short story, can be a long slog in terms of the hours spent creating and the number of words written. Yet, the act of creation is magical. You march letters into sentences and marshaled the sentences into a story. It transports you out of this world to a realm that didn't exist until you put words on paper.

There's a special thrill a writer experiences when she sees the story coming together. Another writer may feel the thrill when he sees the number of words written become a higher than yesterday's number or the number of words yet-to-write. Maybe you re-read something you wrote years ago and think that's better than you remember it being. Those glimmers of brilliance, of writing that resonates down to your toes, are moments to cherish. Moments to remember. 

The writing process can be a torturous journey where you revisit torment and bliss many times. It can test your resilience and your self-confidence. Embrace the chaos, embrace the journey, and above all, celebrate and embrace the bliss. It's magical.

Please share a tip for overcoming the torment or share a moment of bliss you've experienced in your writing journey.

About Lynette

Lynette M. Burrows is an author, blogger, creativity advocate, and Yorkie wrangler. She survived moving seventeen times between kindergarten and her high school graduation. This alone makes her uniquely qualified to write an adventure or two.

Her Fellowship series is a takes “chillingly realistic” alternate history in 1961 Fellowship America where autogyros fly and following the rules isn’t optional. Books one and two, My Soul to Keep, and  If I Should Die, are available everywhere books are sold online. Book three, And When I Wake, is scheduled to be published in late 2024.

Lynette lives in the land of OZ. She is a certifiable chocoholic and coffee lover. When she’s not blogging or writing or researching her next book, she avoids housework and plays with her two Yorkshire terriers. You can find Lynette online on Facebook or on her website.