encouragement for tired bloggers and discouraged writers
In many ways, it has never been easier to become a writer. With the tools and opportunities that technology gives us, it’s right at our fingertips. Don’t get me wrong, it takes a lot of hard work. A lot. But it is more possible today than it has ever been.
But what do you do if you feel overwhelmed?
What if the wealth of tools available leaves you feeling more discouraged than empowered?
You are not alone.
As I survey the landscape of the blogging world, there are many offering encouragement and practical tools to writers. A couple of names come to mind immediately, Jeff Goins and Michael Hyatt. I so appreciate what they are doing to offer encouragement and practical help. Jeff recently released his e-book, You Are a Writer: So Start Acting Like One, and is currently hosting a writing challenge, 15 Habits of Great Writers on his blog. Michael Hyatt’s new book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
, is filled with excellent, step-by-step advice for anyone who wants their voice to be heard.
I am so thankful for these resources. They fill a huge need in the writing community, and it is exciting to see many taking great strides in their writing journey.
At the same time, I see others who are discouraged. In fact, I would go so far as to say that there is more weariness among many of my blogging friends than I have ever seen before.
And I get it.
Maybe you have been writing for years without seeing any measurable fruit.
Perhaps you are in a season of life where it feels impossible to sit down and write anything meaningful.
I’ve been there, too.
It was necessary for me to stop writing for an extended period of time to focus on our business. I knew that it just would not work for me to write during that time, and as much as I hated it, I knew it was the right choice for me for a while.
This season of life you are in right now, it’s not forever.
Whatever is making writing hard for you right now may not even be an issue for you in a few years or even months.
I have one thing to say to you:
Don’t give up. Just don’t.
If it’s a struggle to write, keep trying.
But if you can’t write at all right now, don’t give up on your dream.
We read several posts this week from bloggers and writers who know what it’s like to feel this way. I hope you will find encouragement in their words:
When It’s Not Easy by Kristina takes a look at writing, priorities, and kicking guilt to the curb.
Shawn Smucker writes A Strange Week, Starting Over, and the Nature of Giving Up. If you aren’t familiar with Shawn’s story, I highly recommend his e-book, Building a Life Out of Words, which chronicles his family’s journey to pursue a writing dream.
Lastly, I want to share this gem from Sarah Markley, How to Keep a Secret {the good kind}. It’s an encouragement to live life to the full and a reminder that not everything is meant to be written.
Thanks for the mention, Erin. I think that’s the most difficult part about writing, as well as one of the most motivating: you could potentially go a very long time without any visible “success,” then one day write something that resonates with a lot of people. I’ve gotten to the place where my enjoyment of writing is greater than the bad feelings that come from rejection, or the even worse feelings that no one is paying attention.
Thank you for mentioning me! I know just what you mean about the feelings of discouragement permeating the blogging community lately – thank you for taking the time to encourage us! 🙂
I have thought about this issue a lot. I know someone who recently had two books published after having blogged for a number of years. In my discussions with him, he told me that part of being recognized and published means being “known” in the blog world. It becomes a marketing task to sell oneself. That part of writing makes me feel really uncomfortable. I don’t like the “celebrity” mentality that seems to pervade the blog world. I could say something on my blog that a “famous” blogger said, and it’s not considered nearly the nugget that the “famous” person’s comment is. I don’t have time (nor I don’t know if I have the inclination) to sell myself in the blog world as a writer.
My daughter is a writer. She is a PhD student. Her advisor told her she is a writer already even though she probably would never have a blog unless it is for her students and academic colleagues. She and I were discussing this on the weekend, and I feel like writing for a blog is more like a spring than a marathon, rather the difference between writing a snippet in a magazine as opposed to a longer, researched, dedicated work. I don’t know as if I think blogging prepares one for that. I think, sometimes, the best writers I know blog the least.
Sorry for the rambling comment 🙂
Kim, certainly for some people blogging is a means to an end; but, for many (such as Emily P. Freeman and Ann Voskamp), blogging is the foundation for all the other writing they do, from magazine articles to traditionally published books. Those of us who have been blogging for several years have certainly created a “longer, researched, dedicated work.” It is difficult to apply broad strokes to bloggers – or to any form of writing – as each individual has their own specific desires and focus based on varying situations, circumstances, and life stages. For some, writing a “snippet in a magazine” is the goal … and that is no less valuable than those who pursue a traditional publishing contract.
Erin, I soooo needed to read this post! I’m so glad Teri Lynne shared it on Facebook and I actually saw it! I haven’t posted since January, and every time I try to write something, it’s just lifeless. I wish I could get back to where I was four years ago, when blogging was new and fresh. I just wrote because it was fun. Now I’m too concerned about writing good reviews, trying to make money with affiliates, wanting to “fit in” the crowd I want to be a part of. And all that work just took the wind from my sails.
I don’t know if and when I’ll blog again, but I needed to hear what you had to say! Thank you for the encouragement.
Great post!! There are LOTS of tired and discouraged bloggers out there who just need a little encouraging boost and to know that they are a valuable voice in this world of writers.