You Don't Need Anyone's Permission to be a Writer

You don't need to be attached to a publishing house to be called a writer.  We're living in a time with so many opportunities when it comes to writing, all thanks to the internet.  You can start your own blog for free and start publishing straight away.  That would make you a writer.  You could start self-publishing your own books on a platform such as Kindle Direct Publishing or Smashwords, that would make you a writer.

There is no special club you need to join if writing is your passion, nor do you need to enter competitions to be in that special club.  

You already have permission to be the writer you want to be.

You may not find your path littered with awards or book deals, but you are a writer.

You'll always be worrying about anything you publish, be it books, or blog posts, because you're not going to please everyone that reads your work.

Why and How to Change Up Your Writing Routine

Most people fear change, especially if they've started something new, and want to succeed.  Writing should be an ever changing activity, because we're constantly striving to be the best at what we do.

But often the very process of the way we write becomes entrenched in our psyche making it really difficult to step away from that particular way of doing things.

This may not always be the case, and sometimes there are things that takeover in our lives making us want to change the routine we're in. There's no harm in that kind of change, and often it can be for the better, making you a more productive writer.  

Others may want to really rock the boat just to see if they get the same effect as the million pound author who has their own special routine.  There's nothing wrong with wanting to emulate your favourite writer, but don't give yourself a hard time when things don't go the way you want them to, or if you feel like nothing has changed since you started following a routine you read about online.

How to Write When Life Takes Over

It may shock you to know that not everyday is going to be a writing day.  There are times when life gets in the way, and to think otherwise is misleading.  Life is complicated, and sometimes we all need a little time away from our writing when the unexpected pops up.  Things like; illness, divorce, bereavement, family problems and even unrest in the country we're living in.  

Guilt is the last thing on your mind when life's problems start.  Writing is never going to be a straightforward process.  It's not like hanging out the washing or doing the ironing.  You can just switch on autopilot for those activities, but writing is deeper and takes more out of you.   Which means you can't just switch on autopilot when you want to.  

When you write it requires everything you have to get your thoughts and stories onto the page.  Just because life takes over sometimes, doesn't make you a lazy writer, it just means you need to step back for a little while.

It's important to understand that in order to get back into writing again you need to turn the pressure off, and do something else until you feel like writing again. 

How to Make a Bad Writing Day Really Good

Frustration, and inactivity are nothing new for most writer's, it's part and parcel of being a writer.  Writing is something that comes from within, and is deeply personal.  Having the ability to share your own thoughts and stories comes at a price.  A price marked by anxiety and worry that sometimes never seems to end.

If you think starting your own business was hard, try doing it through the medium of writing, laying your soul bare for all the world to see.  Yet it can be one of the most satisfying things in life, to be creative, and make something for others to share in.

Let's start looking at some common issues writers might face:

I Haven't Lived the Life of My Subject Matter, How Can I Write About It?

If you haven't lived the life of a king or queen, how can you write about it?  That and hundreds of other questions come to light when starting on a subject you're unfamiliar with.  After all, the whole idea of writing fiction is to make your character's come alive.

A combination of fear and paralysis quickly sets in, and you quickly go into a nosedive, which starts hurting your creativity.

These things can all be overcome with some simple research on the right subjects.  If you're writing fiction you could look into behaviour, or how royalty spend their time.  Google some real royals, and pinch a few ideas from their lives.  All of these things will help your story to come together, you just need to dig a little first. 

How to Conquer Writers Block

As writer's we all know how hard it can be, at the best of times.  Battling your subconscious, thinking your book won't be good enough.  Then there's the wall.

Not every writer hits the wall in the same place, some discover it at the very beginning of a project, others discover part way through, and there are those writers that find they can't finish a project because of it.  Whether it's writing a book or copywriting, passing the last hurdle can turn into a monumental challenge.  Let's face it, finishing a manuscript can be just as difficult as starting one, with the added pressure of the text going to an editor. 

It's difficult to know what is worse, the beginning or the end.  Often the end can seem mammoth when you're writing a book and filling it with enough useful words to fill a paperback.  

Failure Shapes You as a Writer

But don't be afraid of failure, because writing is a never ending process of learning, and the best way to do that is by making mistakes.  If you can get used to the process, the easier your writing journey will be.