Do you have an unrealistic view of your writing ability? It’s completely normal for writers, but it’s important to be aware of because it can cause a lot of pain and blockage along your writing journey. Nurturing a healthy mindset is crucial for a successful writing life. Our beliefs dictate what we do and how we act, so we need to get them aligned with reality.

At some point, every writer deals with feelings of discouragement and burnout. You may even get to a point where you say I don’t want to write anymore. If you’ve lost your writing mojo, don’t panic! I’m going to give you some ideas on how to make writing fun again. Whatever you do, try to rediscover the joy in writing. Because, guess what? Writing is supposed to be fun! It should fill up and replenish your soul. If you feel depleted and drained, you may be doing it wrong. If you’re wondering how to get excited about writing again, here are four things you can try.

Asking questions like, should I keep writing my novel? or should I shelve my manuscript? is something almost every writer faces during their writing journey. But whether you should quit or continue, depends on a few different factors. Blanket advice, like don’t give up, doesn’t always apply. Sometimes we actually need to quit writing a book or at least take an extended break from it. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you feel like giving up on your manuscript:

If writing feels like pulling teeth right now, don’t worry, you’re not alone. We all go through slumps, burnout and periods of discouragement with writing. The good news is there is always a way out. You may not feel excited and inspired every time you write, but a few mindset changes can help you overcome procrastination and long bouts of writer’s block.

Tying your sense of self to your productivity may be affecting your mindset and holding you back from a happy and thriving writing life. Many writers have learned that the more they do or accomplish, the more valuable they are. It could even be what drew them to writing a book in the first place. Writing a novel, after all, is a huge accomplishment.

The other day I cringed when I saw a writer post something on IG about how publishing their book would be a great way to get back at all the people who had ever doubted them. I admit, I’ve felt like this in the past. There were times in my early writing life when I thought about the people who doubted me and imagined how they might react when they found out I was a published author! Now though, I find these types of sentiments (and posts) cringy. It’s like seeing someone shout their insecurities from the rooftop.