Become a Mentally Strong Writer with These 7 Tips

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Pursuing the craft of writing as a calling and/or a career can be an incredibly rewarding path through life. It can also be equally difficult. When we create something and then offer it up to the world, we open ourselves up to criticism and judgement. The painful things said about what we write is an inescapable part of being a writer. 

Navigating a world filled with criticism can be exhausting—if we’re not prepared. That’s what this post is about—strengthening our minds in regard to our writing. 

7 Tips to Become a Mentally Strong Writer

1. Know why you write. For me it’s two-fold. First, I write because that’s the way God designed me to process the world. When I write out my difficulties or questions, I find answers. Second, I write because I believe there was a moment in time when God called me to write for Him. To me, that means using my writing to honor Him and bless others. 

2. Pray regularly. This leads to my ONE and only hard-and-fast-rule-of-writing. Always pray before your fingers hit the keys, pick up a pen or even touch the text pad. In the world today our words go farther and faster than we ever imagined would be possible. That makes it even more critical that those words should first be submitted to God before we send them out.

3. Keep your defense close at hand. As a believer who writes, the only critique that should matter is what God says about my writing. So I keep a list of Bible verses that I’ve claimed in regard to my writing close at hand. Here are three of my favorites:

• Therefore, this is what the Lord says: “If you return, then I will restore you— You will stand before Me; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. They, for their part, may turn to you, But as for you, you are not to turn to them. Jeremiah 15:19 NASB
• Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
• For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]. Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible

4. Resolve to consider. When I hear something difficult about what I’ve written, my first instinct is to leap to defense. I’ve learned that a better response—and one that reduces my stress level—is to consider what being said. I can ultimately reject it, but if I consider it, I can pull anything valuable out of the criticism without discarding it in anger.

5. Enlist a community of other writers. It’s almost impossible to do this writing life alone. My writing friends understand a difficult day at the keyboard, a bad review, and the ultimate joy of publication. My other friends, who don’t write, celebrate with me and are great encouragers, but they do not know the path I walk.

6. Stay humble and acknowledge there are always things that must be learned. When I was a young (in experience years) writer, I thought those far ahead of me had actually arrived. Now I know there is never such a thing as having arrived as a writer. When we commit to being a writer we commit to a life of learning. And often times lifelong re-learning. The world is changing and even experienced writers are constantly readjusting. Being careful to live through each situation as someone ready to be taught, instead of someone who knows the answer will save a huge amount of heartache.

7. Decide now who gets to speak truth in regard to writing. There are always plenty of people ready to tell you who, what, when, where, why and how to do what you do. Some of the advice will be good and some…well…not so good. Instead of treating everything as truth, decide those few you’ll accept advice from. This doesn’t mean you’ll dismiss everyone else, just weigh what you hear from anyone outside your trusted guard.

Bottom Line

Be equipping ourselves as writers we will be able to stand when life gets hard. We will also have some side benefits. 

Along with the strength comes:

• Assurance. Not really assurance in myself, but in God and the fact that He is directing my steps. More than that, I know for certain that if I get off the track, He will gently guide me back where I should be.
• Peace. By developing this strength, I can have peace when the difficult words come. I know where to go for truth and how to reject the lies. 
• Joy. All of this brings me the ability to experience incredibly joy in the gift of writing God has given me.

Now it's your turn. What would you add to my list to help us become mentally strong writers? Remember, we're all stronger together, so don't hesitate to share! 

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives.Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter and on Instagram.