by Abbie Emmons, author of author of
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed because your book isn’t written or finished yet, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Many writers feel daunted when facing the mountain of the novel-writing process. But remember: You were born to conquer this mountain. Your story is burning in your heart with the fire of a thousand suns, and only you can bring it to life in the uniquely beautiful way it was meant to be told.
So don’t retreat from this epic quest — don’t shrink back into your comfort zone just because it feels safer there. You know what lies within that comfort zone; it’s never going to change. To live your dream as an author, you must climb that mountain
Perhaps your dream is to publish novels and share your stories with the world. Or you might want to see your screenplays turned into films. Or perhaps you aspire to run your own publishing house. Or maybe you want to craft stories for video games or audio dramas, or you want to pen your memoirs.
No dream is too big. Do you know why? Because you created that dream, which means you have already conquered it in your mind. This dream is etched in your heart; this mountain is born from your imagination. And that means you are fully equipped to climb it. You were born to climb it.
Every writer faces it at some point: doubt, discouragement, fear, hesitation, perfectionism, and creative burnout. Sometimes the last thing we want to do is sit down at our desks and write. Why? Because writing is hard! It’s a challenge filled with obstacles and conflicts — a lot like your protagonist’s journey of change. But just like fictional characters, our goal is to overcome these challenges and obstacles, not allow them to defeat us.
Writers are inherently introspective. We possess supercharged imaginations, which can sometimes backfire. When self-doubt creeps in and makes us question if our books are worth writing, a part of us clings to that fear and uncertainty, causing our creativity to shrink and our motivation to wither.
I don’t want to see this happen to you. That’s why we’re going to identify the top-ten obstacles writers face and how to overcome them. Remember, you are the main character of your own story! Your character arc unfolds through struggle and triumph. So, let’s break down the most common ways writers self-sabotage and how to overcome these obstacles.
01. Perfectionism.
The Trap:
You think your writing must be flawless on the first attempt. When you write something, you often feel dissatisfied because it doesn’t match the quality of the Pulitzer Prize–winning prose you compare it to. You find it hard to make significant progress during a writing session because your perfectionism is keeping you stuck in one place, listening to your inner critic.
How to overcome this:
Focus on progress, not perfection. Give yourself permission to write ugly, especially in the first draft. Because, guess what? If you pick up any book in a bookstore, you’re not reading that author’s first draft. Published books go through multiple rounds of revisions and edits before they ever land on your bookshelf. So take the pressure off to be perfect during the writing stage. First drafts are supposed to be messy. It’s through rewriting that brilliance emerges. As I always say: You don’t need to be a good writer; you just need to be a good rewriter. Don’t make it perfect. Just make it exist.
02. Imposter Syndrome.
The Trap:
You believe you’re not qualified to write a book because you’re not “a real writer.” Perhaps you have just recently started writing and don’t have as much experience as seasoned authors publishing books. You feel like an imposter because when you imagine your book sitting on the shelf beside titles by your favorite authors, a little voice in the back of your mind whispers, You don’t belong with them. You’re not a good enough writer. You’ll never be as famous or successful as those authors! This voice of self-doubt paralyzes you, stifling your creativity and making you feel ill-equipped to share your work with the world.
How to overcome this:
Real writers are people who write. Your experiences, perspective, and voice are valid and needed. You have something unique to bring to the world that has never been created before. And, guess what? Those successful, famous authors you admire—they all started exactly where you are now. They all have bad writing days sometimes. They all make embarrassing typos. They all get one-star reviews from critical readers. They are all human, just like you. Curing imposter syndrome is not about climbing the ladder of success and meeting your idols in the winner’s circle — it’s about taking your idols off those pedestals and seeing them as the ordinary people they are.
03. I’m Too Young/Old.
The Trap:
You believe your age disqualifies you from writing something meaningful or getting published. Perhaps you’re a kid, teenager, or young adult who feels that you need more education and experience before you can be a writer. Or, maybe you’re a senior, reflecting on your life and wishing you had written a book years ago. Whether you think it’s too soon or too late to write that story in your heart, both beliefs are dangerous misconceptions that will trip you up and stop you from unlocking your creative potential.
How to overcome this:
Creativity doesn’t have an expiration date — or a minimum age requirement. Readers crave authentic stories, regardless of the writer’s age. Instead of viewing your age as a setback, see it as an advantage! If you’re a teen writer, you have a unique perspective that adult writers lack. If you’re an older adult, you have invaluable life experience and wisdom that younger writers have yet to acquire. Wherever you are in life, you’re in a unique position to offer your perspective and ideas to readers who will connect with them.
*excerpted from “Make Your Story Matter: An Interactive Guide to Unlocking Your Brain’s Storytelling Power and Writing a Book Readers Love“
Abbie Emmons has been writing stories ever since she could hold a pencil. What started as an intrinsic love for storytelling became her lifelong passion. For over seven years, Emmons has been sharing her wisdom on her YouTube channel (@AbbieEmmons), where she teaches writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling to transform their ideas into masterpieces. Emmons went on to launch Abbie’s Story University, an online learning platform that has attracted thousands of students worldwide.
