Obstacles to writing (aka writer’s block)

As my daughter left for her college classes the other day, I told her I was meeting with a writing mentor/coach. I said something like too bad my ideas don’t translate to words on a page, and she said, “Yeah, I’ve noticed that!” That’s one of my big obstables to writing.

She wasn’t being hurtful, just honest. She’s often my sounding board about my writing; she’s a good writer herself and has great insight.

What she said made me think about obstacles to writing besides writer’s block. Because I don’t think I have writer’s block. I think I am afraid. Afraid of writing something no one likes. Afraid of failing.

You can’t fail if you don’t try, right?

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Obstacles to writing

Besides fear, let’s look at some common writing obstacles:

• Too much alone time
• Lack of confidence
• Editing while writing
• Not being teachable
• Distractions
• Time

I don’t mind being alone. In fact, many writers tend to be introverts. I went to a writers conference a few weeks ago, and it was very “people-y.” I mentioned that to some of the other writers, and they all said the same. Most said they were introverts. Being alone fuels me so I have to balance being alone and being with others.

Even though I’ve never finished writing a novel, I do have confidence in my writing. But I think I naturally have self-confidence, and I understand not everyone does. I teach public speaking and the one thing I always tell them is to practice. Practicing builds confidence. That works with writing also. The way we practice is by writing.

I know I tend to edit while I write. I didn’t understand until recently that a first draft is just that – a first. There will be a second, third, and maybe more drafts before a final draft. It’s okay to be messy. That’s tough for my OCD personality.

I try really hard to stay teachable. In all things, I know I can continue to learn and grow. If we become unteachable, we become arrogant. Not a trait I want.

Distractions for me are social media. My family isn’t a distraction, because I still consider myself a full-time wife and mom although my kids are all grown. But social media – ouch! It takes real self-control to turn my social media apps off.

We make time for anything we really want to do. Our priorities are what get our time. That’s true across the board, I think, whether it’s in writing or anything else.

Writer’s block

Edie Melson has a post on her blog The Write Conversation titled, Paralyzing Fear – Also Known as Writer’s Block. In it she says, “anything that keeps you paralyzed and unable to write is, by definition, writer’s block.” So, it looks like my fear actually is writer’s block! Hmmm….

How do we deal with writer’s block? There are so many suggestions! In Edie’s article, she says to get writing, write what you’re afraid of, and give yourself permission to try and fail. Other ideas deal with getting away from what you’re doing. Take a walk, take a nap, change your environment.

Other mindsets deal with the fact, that as a writer, you really do need to keep writing. Like my daughter was saying, you have to get the words on the paper!

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married 37 years, have 5 amazing kids and 2 adorable grandkids and one on the way. I homeschooled our three youngest children. I used to blog about homeschooling and taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)