Things to Remember When a Writer is Struggling

by Tammy Karasek @TickledPinkTam

Here we are, barely a month and a half into the new year and into our writing plans. Sad to say, I’ve already heard from a few writer friends in the midst of a writer’s struggle in one area or another. Some struggle with time management. Others with topics or stories to do next. The one that is more prevalent this year is the good enough mindset. 

This one came up time and again and in various conversations. Statements of: 

• I don’t know if I should be writing 
• Maybe I misunderstood God’s calling to this career
• Who do I think I am to call myself a writer
• And the obvious—I’m not good enough, nobody will ever want to read the junk I write.

Can anyone of you relate to this? I so wish I could say I was free from these thoughts. Though not as strong as in years past, it’s easy to fall into the trap to question this calling, especially when we see all of the exciting posts for fellow writers getting contracts, winning contests or the ability to type the end of yet another book. Writer friends, that’s exactly where Satan would have us land, too—smack dab in the middle of self-doubt. It must be one of his favorite darts to throw at writers. 

When this happens, and none of us are immune to these darts, we need to remember God was the one who called us to write. He knew our capabilities and chose us to be His personal scribes. On our own, we aren’t good enough. But He didn’t throw us into writing and expect us to do it alone. He’s there walking beside us. Or for some of us—pulling us forward. (Raising my stubborn hand over here!) Where we’re weak, he’ll bring teachers to us. We have writing friends, craft books, conferences and webinars to take our weaknesses and make them our strengths. Accept the help. Don’t flounder hidden at home. 

If you are here at the present time, first reach out to the One who gifted you with this talent and called you to this endeavor. Admit your struggles and ask Him to show you the struggles you may not see, then allow Him to direct you to your next steps. Be receptive to the assistance and guidance He sends your way. He has confidence in you, you were chosen for this task of sharing His gospel through your stories. Have confidence in yourself as well. 

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 ESV

Next, reach out to a writer friend and ask for prayer. Don’t be afraid to ask them for suggestions or resources to help you with stumbling blocks you may have. Often you will find they are eager to encourage you to push through this time and will be a great accountability partner to hold you to kick self-doubt to the curb. 

How about you? Are you a writer with struggles in your writing? If not, did you ever struggle with the self-doubt—and if so, how did you overcome that season?

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Things to Remember When a Writer is Struggling from @TickledPinkTam on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tammy Karasek uses humor and wit to bring joy and hope to every aspect in life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, drives her passion to encourage and inspire others and give them The Reason to smile. She’s gone from down and defeated to living a “Tickled Pink” life as she believes there’s always a giggle wanting to come out! A writer of Romance—with a splash of sass. She’s also The Launch Team Geek helping authors launch their books and also a Virtual Assistant for several best-selling authors. Don't miss her recent book, LAUNCH THAT BOOK, just released in November. 

Her work was also published in a Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments. She’s also the Social Media Manager for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, Founding President and current Vice-President of ACFW Upstate SC, and Founding President of Word Weavers Upstate SC. She’s a writing team member for The Write Conversation Blog, Novel Academy, MBT Monday Devotions, The Write Editing and more. Connect with Tammy at HTTPS://WWW.TAMMYKARASEK.COM.