Edie here: Feeling weighed down by conflict, loss, or broken relationships? In this blog post, discover 5 practical tips for writers to stay creative, find resilience, and live well—even in life’s toughest seasons.
A Writer's Guide to Living Well: Surviving and Thriving in Brokenness
by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767
Writing is a lot like life—it’s full of conflict, action, and suspense. The difference is that in our novels, we control the plot twists. In real life, we don’t always get that privilege.
Often, the stress of broken family relationships, the ache of distance between you and a loved one, or the weight of loss presses in so hard you can’t see straight—let alone write straight. And yet, deadlines and obligations don’t stop to give you a breather.
I’ve been there. I’ve faced days when the personal hurt felt so heavy that sitting at my desk to string words together seemed impossible. But I’ve learned in the trenches that you can survive and even thrive during brokenness. The secret is to remember that your worth isn’t in what you produce, but in how you live.
5 Tips to Navigate the Tough Seasons of Being a Writer & Stay Creative
1. Name the Conflict
In storytelling, the protagonist must face the problem head-on. In life, we often tend to ignore it, distract ourselves, or bury it under productivity. Healing begins with acknowledging the truth.
Say it out loud or write it down. Tell a trusted friend or mentor: “This is what’s holding me back right now.” Naming your conflict doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you a truth-teller—and truth-tellers write better, live better, and love better.
2. Take Purposeful Action—Small and Steady
When life feels overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle every problem at once. Focus on one purposeful step each day.
- Read a good book that shifts your perspective.
- Listen to an uplifting podcast while you cook dinner.
- Put on music that motivates and lifts your spirit.
- Eat well—not perfectly, but intentionally.
- Step outside, breathe fresh air, and let nature remind you that the world is still beautiful.
- Play with your pet and remember that joy can be simple.
- Exercise in a way that brings you joy. (For me, swimming is one of my favorites outlets. The water feels like freedom.)
These little actions create small wins that build resilience.
3. Lean Into Your Suspense
Life’s uncertainty is often the most challenging aspect of brokenness. We want resolution, and we want it now. But suspense—the “what’s going to happen next?”—is what keeps us turning the pages in a story.
Rather than resisting the unknown, lean into it. Let it be a teacher. Brokenness might feel like a cliffhanger, but it’s also the place where faith, hope, and creativity can grow the most.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Play
Sometimes the best therapy is to be ridiculous. Throw on some old-school rap or house music and dance like nobody’s watching. Laugh hard. Be silly on purpose.
When we play, we remind ourselves that life isn’t all about solving problems—it’s also about enjoying the moments in between. Play breaks up the heaviness and gives your mind a chance to breathe.
5. Commit to Living Well—Not Just Writing Well
Sometimes it’s tempting for us as writers to think our worth is tied to how much we publish, how quickly we meet deadlines, or how well our words are received. But when life hits hard, it’s more important to live well than to write well.
That doesn’t mean abandoning your craft—it means refusing to sacrifice your health, relationships, and joy on the altar of productivity. Commit to being a whole, present, and vibrant human first. Your writing will be richer for it.
Final Word
Brokenness will visit all of us. But it doesn’t have to define us. Your story—the one you’re living right now—is still being written by the One who knows the ending.
So breathe deep. Do something small and good today. Laugh loud. Swim your laps. Dance your cares away. And remember, you’re not just a good writer in the making—you’re a good life in the making.
TWEETABLE
AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.
Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations. She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.
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