Why You Shouldn't Give Up On Your Writing Dream

Sometimes we think about giving up on our writing dream.
We start thinking - this is too hard or it’s never going to happen or - worst of all - I’ve made mistakes.

I hear from other writers all the time that they get stuck in negative thoughts about how it's too late because they're too old or too busy or didn't make better choices in the past.  Sound familiar at all?

It does to me. I probably go through this “writer crisis” every couple of years.

So whadda ya do when your thoughts start heading down this miserable track?

Here’s what...

- Firstly - forgive yourself for the mistakes, the laziness, setbacks, any sheer dumbness in the past. It's over, gurl - let it go.

- Project forward.  How incredibly pissy are you going to be if you give up but then a year later find yourself kinda hankering to start writing again? Another year wasted, right? 

- Remind yourself that there has never been a better time for writers to get their art into the world. It just takes commitment, time and discipline.  Yes there might be some research, some learning about platforms and software - but that's totally do-able. And there are people out there who know this stuff.

- Reassess your goals and definition of success.  Is what you want to achieve still right for you?  Sometimes we hang onto someone else's view of success. Or some notion of what a successful writer looks like.   Sometimes our goal is gargantuan and just not well suited to where we are presently.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.

- Remind yourself that every so-called  "failure" has been a step in the right direction - you've developed further as a writer and you've learnt stuff. (This is my favourite thought btw)

- Remind yourself that the painful parts of being a creative person who puts their work into the world (rejection, disappointment, the fear) are actually nothing compared to regret and pining if you do nothing. (This is my next favourite.)

- Focus on the small wins and let them buoy you rather than focusing on what you haven't achieved yet.  Whether it's being on a short list for something, entering a comp or someone complimenting you on your cool story title - doesn't matter - small wins are important.  

- Remind yourself that tomorrow is genuinely a fresh start.  How great is that?
  
- Remind yourself there is time - it's just what you do with it.

- Remind yourself that there are a lot of people out there - and some of them are going to be interested in your story. 

- Read inspiring articles like this one!
This woman was 80 when she published her first book of poetry. https://bit.ly/3sClYeL

Go well peeps!

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