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discouragement, keep pressing ahead, lesson, Lesson 46, lessons, not supportive, overcoming discouragement
Another Wednesday, another lesson. I love these. 🙂 This week, we’re looking at discouragement.
A lot of times, as writers, we get discouraged. Someone doesn’t support our dream, sometimes we don’t believe our own dream. It’s hard, I get it.
So, what do we do when someone doesn’t support our dream? Take it from someone who’s entire family isn’t behind her: Just keep writing.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. It’s not that simple, right? Wrong. It’s very simple. You can’t let it get to you. Block out what they say and keep writing. If you ever want that book out, keep writing. Get to it.
Now, what do you do when you don’t believe in your own dream? I’ve been there, done that, too. You go through a time of discouragement and you wonder if you’re actually any good, right? Yup, I’ve done that.
So, what do you do?
That’s simple, too. You take a break. You don’t write for a while. You shut down the computer or put the pen down, and you take a break from writing. How long you take is up to you. I recommend at least a week.
Maybe you have other remedies for discouragement that you use, and that’s fine. Really, when it comes down to it, we all have our own ways of dealing with discouragement. What I wrote about is what usually works for me.
So, what do you do when you feel discouraged? Let me know in the comments!
Great advice! It’s hard to be constantly optimistic and passionate when things don’t go right. A little break goes a long way.
Definitely! I remember one time when I took a month off from writing. I just couldn’t bring myself to write anymore because I was really stuck and I hated that. The month finished, and I hit the ground running. I got the first draft done in just three more months 🙂
Yeah, it’s the worst when you’re frustrated with what you love to do. Your break sounded productive for you though, given the great end result :). I usually take big breaks after finishing a project, sometimes for a month or two. That way, I don’t get burned out and can focus on other things that I like doing.
That’s what I do. I took the break mid-draft, but I also take a break at the end of the draft. I didn’t do that once. Big mistake. I missed a lot. My book required a major rewrite after it got done with the beta readers! It still needs a lot of work, but a month-long break away from it definitely helped to claw my way through the rewrite.
I agree. Taking a break made me see a lot more of the problems in my work too. Right after I finished I was so excited to start editing (it’s my favorite part) but I held back and it ended up being a good choice.
I don’t understand how anyone can have editing as a favorite part…lol. But that’s just me. I personally love the first draft writing, even if it is complete shit.
Now I always take a break right after a draft. I see things a lot more clearly after I take a break. But, I also nave three different manuscripts going, so even if I’m taking a break from one or two, I always have at least one going 🙂
Haha, I don’t know, I just really like fixing the little things. The first draft is pretty fun too, though. Wow, three different manuscripts! I wouldn’t be able to keep them all straight.
I’m amazed I’m able to! Lol. I only started a third because characters for the third wouldn’t shut up 😉