Be Equipped to Combat Writing Discouragement

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

Conference season is underway, and if you have attended a conference already or plan to soon, I’m sure the enemy has been whispering in your ear.

Oh, he’s a tricky one who likes to say things like “You shouldn’t waste your money on a conference.” Or “Your idea or story is stupid, and no acquisition editor or agent will want it.” Or “You’re an idiot if you think you have what it takes to be a writer.”

Well, you know what? Those are ALL lies. Flat-out lies. 

If the Holy Spirit put a story or idea on your heart to write, He’s done so for a reason. Your job is to be obedient and write it. In the meantime, though, the nasty little snake who has slithered around on the earth for centuries will do all he can to deter you.

Don’t. Let. Him.

Dealing with discouragement is part of the writing life. And in life in general. During my days as a goalie coach, I told my goalies nearly every day, “Everyone experiences adversity. It is how you handle the adversity that defines you as a person.” I made them memorize that quote. 

As a goalie, one must be mentally tough. If you’re not, one bad goal quickly leads to another and then another. I wanted the goalies to know and understand that stuff happens. 

Bad stuff sometimes. And they had to push through it if they wanted to enjoy success. Mental toughness is a key to playing that position. And is as well for writers.

Those familiar with twelve-step recovery programs know the first three steps set up a recovering addict for success:

• Step One: “Admit that our life has become unmanageable.” [paraphrased]

• Step Two: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

• Step Three: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

I think those principles can help anyone deal with discouragement. Wrestling with the enemy can be as easy or as difficult as we make it. If we allow him, he will instill invasive thoughts and imaginary arguments into our minds. When we sink into that spin cycle of despair, we need help to dig or snap out of it.

Turning our focus onto God in whatever way works best for you—reading The Word, prayer, conversation with a friend—ignites the following: 

• 1. Instant encouragement and a new perspective. Big God, Little problem. 

• 2. Feeds our faith and starves our fear. When our mind is on God, all the things that we do feeds our faith. 

• 3. Changes the way you talk. Think positive thoughts, speak positive thoughts.

Abraham Lincoln may have said it best when he wrote to a friend in 1862: “Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.”

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Be Equipped to Combat Writing Discouragement from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Editor-in-Chief at Bold Vision Books and writing coach of award-winning authors, Larry J. Leech II has spent more than forty years writing and editing. He started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep, college, and pro sports, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. 

In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry moved into the book publishing industry. Since that time, he has ghostwritten 30 books, edited more than 400 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. You can find him online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.