Stuck in Your Creative Writing?
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.
Creative writing can be a rewarding experience, but it's not always easy. The journey to honing your craft as a creative writer requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn and grow despite significant obstacles. This article will help aspiring writers approach the craft of creative writing with the right mindset. I’ll highlight some of the high points of learning and growing as a creative writer, explore the low points that will inevitably happen along the way, and provide tips on how to potentially overcome them while validating yourself.
A Creative Writer’s Relationship to Inspiration
The first thing any aspiring writer should learn is that creativity isn't something that can be forced. You can't simply sit down at a desk and expect to churn out a masterpiece. Creativity needs space and time to flourish, and it needs to be nurtured regularly. As a writer, you should prioritize your creative process and make time for it regularly (without setting unreasonable goals you’re likely to miss and feel bad about). Dedicate time every few days or once a weekend to writing and stick to it, even when it feels difficult. The cult of busyness has us convinced we have no time. If you want to nurture your creative self, you need to find the time, or your dream book will sit in your head.
The Creative Writing Mindset
Another key aspect of taking your creative writing more seriously is to develop the right attitude and mindset. You should approach your work with a positive attitude, even when the going gets tough and you’re faced with rejection in the slush pile or writer’s block. What separates successful writers from those who give up is their ability to overcome adversity and persevere. Creative writing is a long and arduous adventure, and not everyone is ready to embrace it fully. If you're feeling down about your work, try to change your perspective and remind yourself of why you started writing in the first place. Your work has value, even if you haven't found an audience or publishing partner for it yet. (It’s also perfectly valid to take the pressure off and write for yourself, regardless of outcome. This can be an overwhelmingly positive approach.)
It’s undeniable that there are going to be low points on your creative writing journey. Rejections from literary agents and traditional publishers, writer's block, and imposter syndrome are all common obstacles that writers face. Remember that slush pile rejections aren't a reflection of your worth as a writer, and they're a natural part of the publishing process. Writer's block can be frustrating, but it's important to remember that it's temporary—once you keep showing up to the page despite a lack of creative juice, you’ll bust this false boundary. (You always have more stories in you, I promise.) Take a break, meditate, read writing reference guides, or try writing prompts to get your creativity flowing again. Imposter syndrome is a pervasive feeling that you're not good enough or don't belong in the writing world. This feeling can hold you back and prevent you from reaching your full potential, but it’s all in your head. You are always going to be your worst critic, even when you’re published. Remember that every writer experiences self-doubt at times, and it's okay to feel this way. If you stick to your creative writing, you’ll overcome this and more.
Growing a Creative Writing Support Team
Learning from experienced writers is another great way to grow as a writer. Seek out mentors or join writing groups (try Thriving Writers!) to get feedback and critiques on your work. You can even trim some time from your creative writer development and work with a developmental editor or writing coach. Getting feedback can feel tough at first, but it’s meant to help you identify areas where you can improve and grow as a writer. Some of the high points of the creative writing journey include moments where you feel like you've made progress, connected with other writers, or learned something new. Celebrate these milestones and use them as motivation to keep going in difficult seasons.
Creative writing is a challenging but rewarding discipline. To become a successful creative writer, you need to have the right mindset, prioritize your creative process, seek feedback, and celebrate your milestones, even when the going gets tough. Remember that the journey is as important as the destination, and take pride in each step you take toward your goals. While not everyone is ready to embrace the creative writing journey fully, for those who are, it can be a gratifying experience that can lead to a lifetime of creative expression and fulfillment.
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.