What Keeps New Writers Awake at Night?

The Dirty Dozen

New writers, regardless of their circumstances, often share common worries and concerns as they embark on their writing journey. Here are some of the most common worries that new writers tend to have.

What Am I Doing Here?

1. Imposter Syndrome — New writers can struggle with feelings of inadequacy and doubt, fearing that they are not “real” writers or that their work isn’t truly good enough to be taken seriously.
2. Self-Doubt — New writers may doubt their ability to tell compelling stories or write their thoughts effectively.
3. Lack of Knowledge or Skill — Concerns about not having the knowledge or skill in writing, publishing, or the business can be overwhelming for new writers.
4. Writer’s Block — The fear of not being able to come up with ideas or feeling stuck in the writing process can be a source of anxiety for new writers.
5. Rejection — New writers often fear rejection from publishers, agents, and readers. The fear of not being accepted or appreciated is discouraging.
6. Criticism and Feedback — Worry about how others will judge their work can be a source of anxiety. New writers may fear negative feedback or criticism from readers, or reviewers.
7. Comparing Themselves to Established Authors — New writers may compare themselves to well-known authors and feel inadequate in comparison. This can be devastating although natural.
8. Perfectionism — The desire for their writing to be perfect from the start can destroy new writers. They may worry about their grammar, structure, or wording.

What Do I Do Now?

1. Finding an Audience — New writers often worry about whether anyone will read their work. Building an audience and finding readers is always a challenging process.
2. Genre and Style and Voice Choices — New writers often wrestle with decisions about the genre and writing style they should use, fearing that they will choose the wrong one.
3. Time Management — Balancing writing with their other life responsibilities can be a concern. New writers may worry about finding enough time to dedicate to their craft.
4. Financial Concerns — Some new writers worry about if they can make a living from writing or how to support themselves financially while pursuing their writing.

Last Words.

It’s important to remember that these worries are quite common and often a part of the creative process. Every writer, even the more successful ones, has faced similar challenges. Overcoming these worries often involves persistence, seeking support and feedback, learning from mistakes, and continuing to write to improve one’s craft.

Writing is a journey, and these concerns can become less daunting with experience and a supportive writing community.

The Accidental Author, Don Martin, can be found HERE. Subscribe and “make something of yourself.” -your mom

Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER|HUMORIST, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, TN. He publishes every weekday morning.