Every career choice or passion also includes its share of challenges. This is especially true, as you know, when you decide to become a writer. Whether your chosen medium is content creation as a freelance writer or you fancy yourself a wordsmith endowed with the task of bringing an imaginary world to life in the form of fiction writing, or a bit of both, you know content composition isn’t easy. From experience, I can also attest that it is not the idealistic existence sometimes suggested in romantic movies. It is challenges unique to the field of writing we will focus on today in addition to what you can do to push past these issues and become your best self, professionally:
Writer’s Block
If you are a writer of any shape or form, you will have at some point experienced writer’s block. It is, of course, the dreaded dark cloud that settles over your mind making it nigh impossible for you to write anything. You can’t think of what to write, nor find the words to even get started. Of course, when writing for a client, this can be that much more aggravating. However, if at all possible the best way to beat writer’s block is actually to step away from the computer. Sometimes, our brains just get overtaxed to the point of shutting down. When this happens, we can experience writer’s block. Do the following to get back to your normal writing schedule as quickly as possible:
- Sleep: This is simple to say, hard to do, but your body needs rest. Even if you have to request extensions or a grace period, if you need rest, rest!
- Study: Perhaps your problem is lack of inspiration. Often, you will find motivation by reading other people’s works. Read, read, and then read some more.
- Get Moving: Writing is a sedentary lifestyle. Get your body moving, get the juices pumping, get outside in the sunshine if possible and perhaps, this will be just the jolt you need to get you over writer’s block.
- Stop Writing: Shut down the computer. Occasionally, you just need a break from content creation. Take at least a few hours or a full day and commit to not writing. Give your brain and your body in general time to reset, then you tackle your projects with a fresh set of eyes the next day.
Lack of Motivation And/or Ideas
Of course, if you are creating content for a client, inspiration usually isn’t an issue. You are after creating a specific type of post or article for a certain reason. However, if you are trying to write something for yourself, perhaps a fictional piece or even factual based or your client allows you to choose your own topics, sometimes ideas just aren’t as forthcoming as you would hope. Try the following if you find yourself at a loss for an idea or motivation for your content:
- Research: Look into the subject matter at hand and read as much as possible. Perhaps, as mentioned above, simply reading something will spark an idea and form a plan and pathway for your article. Google, social media sites, etc. are all great resources.
- Just Start: Keep in mind, “It’s okay to start writing even if you don’t have a clear vision of what you are going to write.” Sometimes, you just have to start somewhere and then you will eventually find your footing.
Second Guessing Yourself: Lack of Confidence
One of the most dangerous problems you can face as a writer is a lack of confidence. Often this phenomenon is brought about after a client has said a harsh word about something you created or your received the dreaded rejection letter from a publisher or editor. However, most successful authors, even those on the best-sellers list have received ton’s of those dreaded rejections. Just remember what one successful author said about rejection the next time you are tempted to question your ability, value or career choice:
“Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling, as you know is the extremely successful author of the Harry Potter series, had her pitch rejected 12 times.
Remember the following point from Writer’s Relief:
“For writers, failure isn’t a roadblock; rejection letters are the bricks that pave the way to success.”
It’s important, though you might face rejection or harsh clients on occasion, to keep having confidence in your own abilities as a writer. According to Writers in Charge, “Sometimes, what it takes to move from failure to success is confidence; confidence to take a particular action, confidence to take a particular risk and confidence to believe in you.”
Undervaluing Your Skills
Speaking of valuing yourself and having confidence, you also have to be sure not to undervalue your abilities. Your value as a writer is vast in the right situation. When you can help a client increase sales, drive their ROI up or simply help educate their customers, you are providing a great service. However, many writers devalue their contribution to businesses and are willing to take less money for their work. Of course, if you are just starting out, you have to build up in terms of knowing how to create content that is engaging and grammatically correct, being able to deal with clients, etc. However, when you know you are skilled and can help a client’s business thrive through your contributions, own it and don’t be afraid to promote yourself!
Thankfully, working at WriterAccess gives us to the ability to truly spread our wings and start our journey as a freelancer or continue to climb upwards in our career if we are more experienced in the field. Bottom line, WriterAccess is a great place to be as a writer. Now, happy writing fellow word slayer!
Brandie P. has enjoyed freelance writing as a profession for almost a decade. She believes well written content can give any website or business an edge over their competitors. Therefore, she strives to maintain a level of professionalism in her work that will consistently elevate her clients and hopefully increase their revenue, reach and even reputation. She is happy to work with you today on your next project and especially values making long-term client/writer relationships.
