Are 4 Things Blocking Your Writing?
Writing a book isn’t easy. Over the years as a writing coach, I noticed distractions, doubt, procrastination, and fear are blocking you from finishing your book. If this is you, this article will help you resolve your writing block and finish your book.
Cell phones, television, social media, family, friends, and work are forms of distractions that stop writers from finishing their first book. Facebook used to be my life. I spent hours chatting, flirting, and playing games with my friends and colleagues. All were valuable time wasted on not fulfilling my purpose. After witnessing my mentor, publisher, and friend, Eddie S. Pierce Jr., write and publish his third book while I had nothing but Facebook posts, I finally said enough is enough. I went to God for help.
I prayed for guidance, obedience, and focus. I researched the authors I read and admired. I wanted to know how they did it. What was their writing schedule? Immediately, I learned each of them wakes up by 6:00am and writes for an hour or longer daily. These are writers you know, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou to name a few. They make it a point to get up early while the house is quiet and go to their writing area and write until their next appointment. Honestly, I doubt if all writers have a schedule like theirs. But, I do know they all became globally known and followed by developing an early morning writing routine. What are your morning hours? Can you add an hour for writing to your daily routine?
2. DOUBT
Let’s be honest. Who told you that your book ideas aren’t good enough to be published? Who told you that you can never be an author? Who is putting those doubts in your mind? Was it that darn imaginary ugly stepmother, again?? Or, is it you?
Why not spend about 10-15 minutes evaluating yourself? Be honest and real. Did somebody really say, ‘Your writing sucks?’ Or did you say this? Never forget that YOUR book is special and UNIQUE to you. So, what, you write sentence fragments and put commas in the wrong places? Excuses like these are no longer acceptable. There are too many apps like Grammarly and Speech-to-Text apps that can practically write your book for you.
Nobody is a perfect writer. Although it may be easier for some of you to write while others may find it more difficult but, with today’s technology it’s difficult to be a “bad” writer. From now on remind yourself every day that YOU are a writer. As you are getting dressed for work or school, tell yourself, “I’m a writer.” In your prayers, thank God for blessing you with your book ideas. Write, ‘I’m an AUTHOR’ on Post-it notes on the mirrors in your house and car. I even double-dog dare you to go as far as posting, “I’m a writer.” on your social media profiles.
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Doubt is tricky and walks hand and hand with Distractions. We allow doubt to mentally, physically, and sometimes spiritually stop or break us from completing any goal or dream we have. More times than not, WE are the fuel that feeds this deception just because we don’t believe in ourselves.
3. PROCRASTINATION
I bet you didn’t know that I am the QUEEN of procrastination. So much time and awesome opportunities have passed me by while I waited until later to finish assignments, tasks, books, and even jobs. Waiting until the last minute truly gets nothing accomplished. As you continue procrastinating, understand there is another person who has similar ideas for a book but, finished their version while you procrastinated. It hurts me whenever I see my book or movie ideas on Amazon or in the theatres. Don’t let this become you.
4. FEAR
Remember when you were a kid? You were fearless, you’d jump off of the roofs, fall from trees, climb fences, and would break or sprain countless body parts. You’d always run wholeheartedly to catch the ice cream truck that was blocks away. Stanger Danger was easily forgotten because nothing could stop you from having fun or getting your ice cream. As a child, the only thing you were afraid of was a punishment from your parents, older sibling, or the occasional Boogie Man visit as you tried to sleep. However, for some reason, as we get older our list of fears increased and we become hesitant to take a dare or accept a challenge.
Fear umbrellas a multitude of emotions, especially the ones previously mentioned in this chapter. Some years ago, my pastor William Gates preached about fear under an acronym, False Evidence Appearing Real. Many times, we allow our brains to imagine all types of what-ifs that discourage us from reaching our dreams and goals. This definitely applies to writers, our creative minds are excellent at making up scenarios that “could” lead to our failure.
Writing a book is HARD!! I get that but, something keeps nagging you about writing one. You’ve been talking about starting it. You started writing a page or chapter here and there over the years. You know writing a book will increase your following and finances yet, you have no clue how to actually write a book? Why not join the Becoming a FEARless Author Bootcamp? This 16-week program is designed for the serious writer.