Struggling to Feel Like a Creative Writer?
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
As aspiring writers, we often fall into the trap of chasing publication before we truly understand what it means to create our own writing journey. We focus on perfecting our craft and polishing our manuscripts, hoping to catch the eye of a literary agent or traditional publisher. However, the path to becoming a successful author is much more nuanced and complex than getting a book deal. It requires a mindset of continuous growth and learning, as well as an attitude that embraces the ups and downs of the writing journey. In this article, I’ll share my thoughts on what it means to have a creative self and how to foster a creative writer identity—even when you don’t feel you “deserve” this label.
Setting Your Creative Writer Expectations
The first step in nurturing your creative writer self is to understand that writing is a journey, not a destination. When we focus solely on achieving publication, we risk missing out on the joys of the process itself. If you don’t enjoy writing and are only looking to strike a book deal, you’ll struggle to build a larger author career. Writing is a craft that requires constant learning and growth, so embrace this journey and take pleasure in the small victories along the way. Whether it’s finishing a difficult chapter or revising based on thoughtful writing notes from a critique partner, you can notch incremental milestones and keep pushing forward. These are an achievement, in and of themselves.
Managing Inspiration as a Creative Writer
As a creative writer, you probably live for those moments of creativity that come when you’re completely in the zone or in a “flow” state. As a creative writer, you have the ability to tap into your imagination and bring entire worlds and characters to life. These moments of inspiration remind us why we chose this path in the first place. Hold onto these moments tightly and draw from them when the journey gets tough. On the other hand, there are inevitably low points on the writing journey, including writer’s block, which I don’t believe in. Inspiration visits after you sit down and get to work, not before. Rejection and self-doubt can also be difficult to overcome, but it’s important to remember that they’re speed bumps, not the end of the road. Instead, view these moments as opportunities for growth and learning. Ask for feedback from critique partners and editors for hire, try new writing exercises and techniques, read writing guides and avail yourself of learning resources, and don’t be afraid to take a break and recharge when necessary to avoid burnout. The road may take longer to walk than expected, but you are in the process of becoming the creative writer you’re meant to be with every step.
Finding Balance on the Creative Writer Journey
It’s also important to remember that not everyone is ready to fully embrace the writing journey right away. Some writers may struggle with rejection or negative feedback, which makes them stop for a while, and that’s okay. Becoming a successful author requires a level of maturity and resilience that not everyone possesses early on in their role as an aspiring writer. However, for those who are willing to put in the work and take each milestone in stride, the rewards are well worth it. If you can do one thing today, call yourself a creative writer without sarcasm or irony. If you love to write, that’s exactly what you are.
Becoming a creative writer requires a certain mindset and attitude. By embracing the process rather than simply chasing publication, writers can learn and grow as much as possible on their path to authorship. From the high points of creativity to the low points of rejection, writer’s block, and self-doubt, your resilience and maturity will be tested. However, for those who are willing to take on the challenge and nurture their creative writer self, you’re setting yourself up for a rewarding and thriving creative life.
Ready to expand your writing and publishing knowledge? Covering a wide range of topics for all stages of the writing process, my books will help you navigate the publishing world and refine your craft. The publishing landscape is constantly evolving, and I’m always looking for new and innovative resources to help writers succeed.