Being a writer is freaking hard. Staying persistent and patient can be a real challenge. It’s easy to forget that every writer faces obstacles and setbacks along the way. But by looking at the experiences of successful authors, we can find inspiration and practical advice for developing our own resilience.
Literary Legends
Maya Angelou
The poet and author of I Know Why the Cagebird Sings faced a challenging upbringing and early setbacks. However, she persevered through adversity and became a celebrated literary figure. Angelou encourages writers to draw inspiration from their life experiences and to use their words to empower and uplift others.
Margaret Atwood
The author of The Handmaid’s Tale received rejection letters early in her career. She kept writing and found success. Atwood encourages writers to develop resilience and not be discouraged by rejection. She encourages writers to focus on improving their craft and believing in their unique voice.
Agatha Christie
The Queen of Mystery faced early rejections of her detective novels. It wasn’t until her sixth novel, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, that she achieved success. Christie’s journey shows that success may not come immediately, but dedication to your craft can eventually lead to recognition. Keep honing your skills.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Author of The Great Gatsby struggled with rejection and financial difficulties early in his career. Despite the challenges, he continued to write and eventually achieved literary acclaim. Fitzgerald’s journey teaches that persistence in the face of adversity can lead to enduring success. He advised writers to persevere and not be discouraged by initial setbacks.
Neil Gaiman
Known for American Gods and Coraline, he faced rejection early in his career. He continued writing. Gaiman advises writers to finish what they start and keep writing, even if their early work doesn’t get published. He believes that practice is essential to becoming a better writer.
Stephen King
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King
One of the most prolific and successful authors of our time, King had his first novel, Carrie, rejected multiple times. He even threw it in the trash before his wife rescued it and encouraged him to finish it. King emphasizes the importance of perseverance. He advises writers to keep writing and not get discouraged by rejection or self-doubt.
Harper Lee
The author of To Kill a Mockingbird worked on her novel for years before it was finally published. She faced numerous revisions and setbacks. Lee would advise authors to take the time to craft your story and refine your writing until it’s ready. Patience and dedication are the key to quality work.
George R.R. Martin
The author of A Song of Ice and Fire series faced challenges with completing his epic novels and experienced periods of writer’s block. Martin advises writers to be patient with themselves and their creative process. He emphasizes that writing isn’t a race and that taking the time to write quality work is worth it.
Toni Morrison
The author of The Bluest Eyes persisted despite rejection of her first novel. Her subsequent works garnered critical acclaim. Morrison believed in the importance of writing stories that resonate with your community and culture. Her advice is to write from an authentic place and stay true to your voice.
J.K. Rowling
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” – J.K. Rowling
The author of the Harry Potter series faced tons of rejections from publishers before hitting it big. Despite being turned down by several publishers, she didn’t give up. Rowling’s story reminds us that rejection is part of the writing process. Her advice? Keep going, believe in your work, and don’t let rejection stop you.
Mark Twain
The author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn experienced financial difficulties and business failures throughout his life. But he kept writing. He kept lecturing. Twain’s resilience serves as a reminder that writers shouldn’t be discouraged by financial challenges. He would advise writers to pursue their passion and not give up.
Habits for Building Resilience
Write 500 Words a Day
Commit to writing 500 words every day. This can be anything from a scene in your novel, a blog post, or even a stream-of-consciousness entry in your journal. The key is to make writing a part of your daily routine. By consistently hitting this target, you build discipline, improve your writing skills, and encourage momentum. It also helps you get in the habit of writing regardless of how you feel or whether you feel inspired or not. Over time, this practice can help you develop a strong work ethic and enhance your resilience.
Actionable Tip: Set aside a specific time of day for your writing that works for you.
Read for 30 Minutes a Day
Reading widely exposes you to different genres, perspectives, and writing styles. The books you gobble will inform and inspire your writing. Reading also helps you understand what works and what doesn’t in storytelling. By making reading a daily habit, you stay connected to the literary world and continuously learn new techniques and ideas that can strengthen your writing.
Actionable Tip: Always keep a book with you. I keep a paperback in the car and several on my cell just in case I have a few minutes to read. Use audio books while commuting or waiting in line.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Writing is mentally exhausting, and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by self-doubt. Practicing mindfulness and meditation for just 10-15 minutes a day will help you stay centered and focused. These practices train your mind to stay present and manage stress.
Actionable Tip: Use meditation apps like Headspace or Calm for guided sessions. Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your breath and calming your mind.
Set Daily Goals and Reflect
At the start of each day, set a few specific goals for your writing. This could be anything from writing a new scene to listening to MS read your chapter aloud while you edit it. At the end of the day, reflect on what you accomplished. Take the time to identify areas where you struggled. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, because every step on the writer’s journey is a win. This habit helps you stay focused and motivated.
Actionable Tip: Keep a writing journal where you jot down your daily goals and weekly reflections. Over time, this journal will serve as a record of your journey and growth as a writer.
Connect with Writers
Writing can be lonely, but you don’t have to go it alone. Make a habit of connecting with writers weekly. This could be through local writers groups, social media, or online writing communities. Sharing your experiences, exchanging feedback, and offering support to others can help you stay motivated and inspired. It also reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles—all writers face challenges.
Actionable Tip: Join a writing group or online forum for writers. Make it a point to participate in discussions or connect with writing buddies every week.
Embrace Failure
Resilient writers understand that failure is not the end of the road, but rather a steppingstone on the path to success. They embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, refusing to let fear of failure hold them back from pursuing their dreams.
Cultivate Self-Compassion
Self-compassion is the cornerstone of resilience. Resilient writers practice kindness and understanding towards themselves, especially during times of struggle or self-doubt. They recognize that writing is a journey filled with ups and downs, and they treat themselves with the same compassion they would offer a friend.
Set Realistic Goals
Resilient writers set goals that are challenging yet achievable. They break down their larger writing aspirations into smaller, manageable tasks, allowing for steady progress over time. By setting realistic expectations, they avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain momentum in their creative endeavors.
Maintain Consistency
Consistency is key to building resilience. Resilient writers establish regular writing habits, showing up to the page day after day, even when inspiration is lacking or life gets busy. They understand that progress is made through consistent effort, and they prioritize their writing practice accordingly.
Seek Feedback
Resilient writers actively seek feedback from trusted sources, whether it’s peers, mentors, or writing groups. They view constructive criticism as an invaluable tool for growth and improvement, rather than as a reflection of their worth as writers. By seeking feedback, they continually refine their craft and elevate their work to new heights.
Adapt to Change
Flexibility is a hallmark of resilience. Resilient writers embrace change and uncertainty, adapting their plans and strategies as needed to navigate shifting circumstances. They understand that the creative journey is full of twists and turns, and they remain agile in the face of new challenges and opportunities.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care is essential for maintaining resilience and well-being. Resilient writers prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional health, recognizing that creativity flourishes in a nurtured and balanced mind and body. They make time for activities that replenish their energy and inspire their creativity, whether it’s exercise, meditation, or simply taking a break to recharge.
Stay Curious
Curiosity fuels resilience. Resilient writers approach their craft with an open mind and a spirit of exploration, constantly seeking out new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. They remain curious about the world around them, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources and infusing their writing with fresh insights and creativity.
Celebrate Successes
Resilient writers celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s completing a draft, receiving positive feedback, or achieving a personal writing milestone, they take time to acknowledge their progress and savor the moment. By celebrating successes, they reinforce positive habits and behaviors and build confidence in their abilities.
Cultivate Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful antidote to adversity. Resilient writers cultivate a mindset of gratitude, focusing on the blessings and opportunities present in their writing journey. They appreciate the small joys of writing—the moments of inspiration, the connections forged with readers, and the sheer privilege of being able to share their stories with the world.
In the face of adversity and uncertainty, resilience is our greatest asset as writers. By embracing these 10 habits of resilient writers—embracing failure, cultivating self-compassion, setting realistic goals, maintaining consistency, seeking feedback, adapting to change, practicing self-care, staying curious, celebrating successes, and cultivating gratitude—we empower ourselves to thrive in the creative journey, no matter what challenges may come our way. So, dear writer, may you embrace resilience in your writing practice and find strength and inspiration in the pursuit of your creative dreams.
If you enjoy this content, you’ll like my book, A Novel Approach for Writers. You can read Chapter 1 for free and learn how to Unleash Your Pen.
Practical Exercises
Free Write
Spend 10-15 minutes every day free writing. If you’re not familiar with this technique, read The Artist’s Way. Free writing helps clear mental blocks and stimulates creativity.
Rejection Therapy
Challenge yourself to submit your work to a new outlet or contest every week. The goal is to get comfortable with the idea of rejection and learn from feedback.
Writing Backwards
Start with the ending of a story and work your way back to the beginning. This exercise helps focus on plot structure and discover new ways to develop narrative. The goal is to enhance your storytelling skills by understanding how each part of a story connects.
Sensory Writing
Write a short scene focusing on one of the senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, or touch. This will help you create vivid, immersive descriptions. The goal is to enhance your ability to engage readers by making your writing more sensory-rich.
Set Long-term Goals
What does success look like for you? Is it finishing a novel, getting published, or building an audience? Clear, SMART goals can help keep you focused and motivated.
Seek Feedback
Regularly seek constructive feedback from coaches, mentors, or peers. Use this feedback to refine your work and grow as a writer.
Adapt and Evolve
Be open to evolving your writing style and exploring new genres. Adaptability can lead to unexpected opportunities and growth.
Writing Prompts:
- Write a story about a character who faces a major setback in their writing career. Explore how they navigate the challenges with resilience, embracing failure as an opportunity for growth and learning.
- Imagine a protagonist who struggles with self-doubt and criticism from others about their writing. How does the character cultivate self-compassion and overcome these obstacles to pursue their creative dreams with courage and determination?
- Create a poem or piece of flash fiction inspired by the theme of adaptation to change. Explore how the protagonist’s writing journey evolves in response to unexpected twists and turns, highlighting the resilience and flexibility required to navigate shifting circumstances.
The journey of these writers highlights the idea that even the most successful writers encounter obstacles and setbacks. The key is to persist, refine your craft, and maintain confidence in your work. Patience, resilience, and a commitment to your writing goals can lead to eventual success. So go write your book!
Resources
Educated by Tara Westover
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Hugging Tree by Jill Neimark and Nicole Wong
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Resilience by Lisa Lisson
Resilience by Andrew Zolli
Resilient by Rick Hanson
Shoot for the Moon by Richard Wiseman
Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu
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