Why Consistent Writing Is Just -  Difficult

If you've ever followed a writer on any form of social media you will - probably more than once -have seen them share some funny image about being a writer who doesn't write.

We all want to write, we make plans and goals about writing more days out the year than we don't, but it always has to be a challenge to make the time, or something else has to get left behind whether that's laundry or time spent with family something usually has to give.

But why is the reality of achieving and sustaining consistent writing so hard that it by itself is such a constant that it's become a running joke among writers? 

Life Is Unpredictable and Holds Demands 

Life is just one of those things where even when you get out of bed and follow the same routine you might just end it three states over and on the back of a camel.

Well, that's not something that has ever happened to me, but I've had days go completely derailed sometimes through no fault of my own. 

With work commitments, family, and the odd camel thrown in here and there sometimes life just gets in the way of even the best intentions, writing included. 

Creativity Can't Be Scheduled 

You can place yourself in front of your computer every single day in a calendar year between the hours of 5 and 6 pm with the intent of writing and still end the year without having written a single sentence. 

You can't force creativity and more often than not it runs on its own schedule and you'll have all of your ideas at 11 pm after you've gotten ready for bed and are about to turn in for the night. 

Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is one of the hardest obstacles for writers to battle as it often leads to procrastination and avoidance and can make even the most disciplined writer lose their momentum and hide from their writing.  

Distractions 

Unfortunately, most of us do our writing on screens rather than pen and paper - a feat I couldn't even imagine accomplishing nowadays as I probably wouldn't be able to read a single thing I had written by the time I was done with it. 

While writing on desktops, tablets, laptops, and all other sorts of screens makes the writer's job much easier it also gives them their biggest hurdles. 

The very screens they are using turn against them and lure them in with the newest social media posts or videos or hearing that aliens were spotted in a mall as well as the usual checking of messages and texts from friends and family which can lead to phone calls and "oh did you hear what happened in that episode of that show? Well, you must go watch it now!"  

Bad Routine 

Let's say your normal writing routine is that after a long day of work, chores, and just all the exhausting bits about being human is when you've decided is the time of day you're going to write your novel. 

But you're just too tired to drag yourself off the couch to go sit at your desk and so you push your writing off till the next day - and then the next - and maybe you're able to make it to your desk once or twice a month? 

Or even the opposite you decide to write early in the morning - but it makes you late for work or you're just not able to give up your sleep for the sake of your writing. 

The Answer To All These Problems? 

Discipline and Flexibility 

While these two things don't seem like they go hand in hand they are the key to consistent writing. 

Slept in late so you didn't have time to write before work? That's ok, you'll type something up on your phone during your lunch break to make up for it.  

That TV show that you've been waiting for finally released the next episode? You can watch it - after you've done your writing for the day. 

One of the best and worst things about being a writer is that no boss is standing over your shoulder making sure that you get your word count in for the day so that task falls on the writer. 

It's up to the writer to make sure they have the discipline to not let distractions and excuses get in the way, but also to have the flexibility that they can work on their writing around the hustle and bustle and business of life's everyday challenges. 

Best of luck on your writing journey!

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints every Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm EST

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