So you’ve considered becoming a writer. You can’t wait to open your diary and scribble those words down. But what happens? You face problems that make you consider your choices. However, there cannot be anyone writing issue that you can label a “toughest writing challenge,” but rather an amalgamation of several situations.
Being a writer has its own set of challenges that can make the profession challenging, despite all of the benefits. Working independently on your own projects or having specific projects to work on can both be tough. Whatever your expertise or writing preferences, there are certain challenges that every writer experiences that can impair their work. Whether you are new to this profession or an experienced writer, you are undoubtedly seeking strategies to overcome some of the most typical problems. Here are some of the most prevalent challenges, as well as some tips and tactics to overcome writing challenges.
Why is it tough to write efficiently?
Writing is one of the most difficult abilities to acquire. Learning to write well takes time, patience, and attention. Many authors, however, struggle with it even after years of practice.
The fundamental cause of this problem is that writing is a complex talent that incorporates many distinct characteristics, such as critical and creative thinking, empathy for the reader, and an understanding of language structure.
Some people believe that writing is simple. However, this is not always the case. There are numerous reasons why writing can be difficult. These reasons differ from person to person.
It can be difficult due to a lack of understanding of a certain topic or because the writer is required to write on a topic with which they are unfamiliar. It can also be challenging if the writer is required to write about something with which they disagree or are unwilling to discuss. There may appear to be no good method to begin and continue writing about a certain topic at times. So what do you do when you face the toughest writing challenge? You understand these challenges and must follow these steps to overcome them.
1. Digitally distracted
The world is going through a digital transformation, and writing is not lagging behind. Gone are the days when we used to write on paper and then digitalize it. Today we have gone completely digital, whether it is news, blogs, articles, etc. Digital distractions are prevalent in today’s world. I prefer to categorise them as offline and internet distractions.
The true challenge is getting rid of online distractions. You can’t keep up with all of the social networking networks. They divert your attention all over the place, making it difficult to get into a flow state when it comes time to work.
How to tackle digital distractions
Offline distractions are simple to remove. Set limits and instruct everyone in your home not to bother you for the next few hours. The majority of individuals are sensible and will comply with your request.
Writing with children in the house can be difficult, but it all comes down to timing. When they’re sleeping, playing with their buddies, or at school, try to finish your deep work. While the house is silent, concentrate on your creative job. When they’re home and awake, you can undertake any non-creative activity, such as answering emails. Being a writer with children may entail early mornings, late evenings, or both.
To keep your core creative time distraction-free, use a combination of discipline and tools, but the best way to keep yourself focused is to put your phone in a drawer in the next room while writing.
2. The Endless Feast and Famine Cycle
It is one of the toughest writing challenges, and you’ve probably heard of it before, especially if you’re a freelance writer. We’re frequently taught that it’s just a part of life, that feast and famine are unavoidable—but others will tell you that they’re always scheduled and never without clients.
Both of these options are possible. Even if you have a full schedule, chances are there are periods when you’re busier than others—when you have a waiting list and when you don’t. This most likely means you’ve stayed on top of your marketing, putting the first and most important rule of freelancing right at the top of your list.
A feast-and-famine cycle is an effort of balancing writing with getting your next writing job. You might get a lot of work and exceed your monthly revenue objective one month, but not the next. Sometimes it is simply a situation that transforms into a difficulty. However, overcoming this writing hurdle is just as crucial.
Overcoming the Feast and Famine Cycle
The truth is that there is no foolproof strategy for avoiding the feast-and-famine cycle. Rather, you must comprehend it and prepare for it. These pointers will not guarantee that you will never be without freelance writing work again. They will, however, assist in ensuring that your “famine” does not last as long and is not as terrible as it was the first time you experienced it. Consider yourself an employee of your firm.
Pay yourself a fixed income that covers your costs, and put any extra money into an emergency fund or back into your firm. This keeps you from overspending when things are going well.
This, however, does not address the underlying issue; rather, it treats the symptom. Another reason this is difficult is that many authors stop marketing and finding clients during the holiday season. When the inevitable famine strikes, they have plenty of time to sell their services, which brings in a new influx of customers, leading to another feast. Things don’t always go as planned, and freelancing isn’t always rosy—but it’s a dream job for many of us, so learning to roll with the feast and famine cycle and avoid it as much as possible is worthwhile.
3. Lack of time and motivation- Toughest writing challenge
Finding time to write is also one of the toughest writing challenges for most authors because life has a habit of getting in the way. However, here is where time management comes into the equation. When you want to improve your money management skills, you budget your money. Even if you have the availability, finding the drive can be difficult. Because after spending the majority of your waking hours on other responsibilities, you’d appreciate nothing more than some rest and leisure.
If your time is limited, the problem with expecting to churn out fully-formed prose on a daily basis is that you set yourself an impossible task. Before you even start, you may feel tense or unmotivated since you’ve assigned yourself a task that, with your existing methods, may be tough to do in the time available.
Finding time and motivation
At the same time, you recognise that in order to achieve your objectives, you must continually produce fresh work. That’s why I’m going to show you some modest changes that will allow your work to flourish even under difficult circumstances. Regardless of how little time you have, you can always spare a few seconds here and there to jot down what I call seed thoughts. Seed ideas are the fundamental themes that underpin your work; they are compact yet profound and full of meaning. In essence, you’re encapsulating an entire paragraph, or perhaps an entire article, in a few words, or at best, a sentence.
These are the true motivators for anything you write. And noting them down not only saves you time, but it also allows you to swiftly construct new material when you sit down to write. Seed ideas can quickly grow into something bigger.
4. Writing block is the toughest writing challenge.
This is how you feel when you’re having trouble writing. You just don’t know what to write; you’re not in the mood, and you’re not sure when you’ll be. Writer’s block can be deadly, especially if not addressed soon. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, or a lack of confidence in one’s own writing ability. Writer’s block is also known as “compositional stalemate,” and it occurs when writers are unable to produce anything. Writer’s block can strike at any time and continue for hours or days. The most prevalent reason for writer’s block is external pressure, such as deadlines and other people’s expectations. These measures can be taken to overcome writing challenges.
Overcoming writer’s block
Writer’s block is a psychological impediment that inhibits writers from the beginning or finishing their work. It can be induced by a variety of factors, including a lack of inspiration, a fear of failure, or self-criticism.
Some writers have discovered methods to overcome writer’s block. They argue that writing about everything and anything is the greatest method to overcome writer’s block. This will assist you in removing the thoughts that are impeding your creativity, and you will eventually find your way back to writing.
Another method for overcoming writer’s block is to solicit feedback from others on your work in progress and then use that feedback to restart your writing.
5. Lack of productivity is the toughest writing challenge.
The toughest writing challenge for most people is not knowing where to begin. They may not know what to write about, lack the necessary words, or be experiencing writer’s block. Many writers use brainstorming tools to enhance productivity.
Brainstorming is an excellent method for authors to develop ideas and overcome writer’s block. There are numerous sorts of brainstorming tools on the market nowadays, making it simple for writers to pick one that meets their needs. The most difficult writing problem is finding the time to write.
Many authors are under pressure to produce a large volume of content in a short period of time, and they lack the time and energy to execute their finest work. As a result, they may compromise their quality, resulting in poorer client satisfaction and financial loss.
Boosting writing productivity
Working out, taking a long, hot shower, and fasting are three tried-and-true productivity boosters. Several studies have shown that exercise boosts your brain. It increases cognitive ability, sharpness, and motivation. In layman’s terms, exercise encourages the synthesis of a protein called BDNF, which has been shown to improve mood, learning, and even brain protection. Furthermore, after a shower, you are calm and stress-free. Finally, refrain from eating until you have completed the requisite word count. For instance, only eat lunch when you’ve written a few words. This method encourages you to reward yourself for accomplishing a difficult activity. You’ll be more inspired as well because hunger is a powerful motivator.
6. Having no confidence to write- Toughest writing challenge
This is one of the toughest writing challenges that a writer can face. It makes no difference how skilled you are or how much experience you have; you will not get very far unless you are confident in what you have to offer.
Being confident entails more than just understanding what you’re talking about; it also entails being willing to demand what you’re worth. When you’re confident in your abilities and what you’re worth, you won’t settle for anything less. You will gladly demand your worth since you know your service will yield results.
Fear plays a crucial role in developing writers’ lack of confidence. Many authors are terrified and plagued by poor self-esteem and confidence.
Getting back that lost writing confidence
Overcoming a writing challenge is not simple. The goal is to find your own style of writing, and then you will gain the confidence you require over time.
Finding your own style of writing is the best method to overcome writing issues. It will be easier to tackle the obstacle after you have discovered what works for you. Confidence is required to shift from failure to success: confidence to take a certain action, confidence to take a specific risk, and confidence to trust in yourself. So now you understand how strong the confidence may be in increasing the number of write-ups.
7. Not being able to meet deadlines- Toughest writing challenge
Many creatives despise deadlines because they are suffocating and unpleasant. However, deadlines indicate that your clients require a piece of work by a specific date. If they are not there, a client may terminate a contract. The prospect of missing money can be a strong motivator for a freelance writer.
It is also critical to recognise that deadlines should not be imposed solely by clients. If you write for yourself, deadlines are equally vital. This is because regularly delivering high-quality work is critical to making a living as a writer. You can’t make money from something you constantly rewrite! While it may be difficult at first, try setting a deadline for each article you work on, regardless of whether there is also a client-imposed deadline.
Learning to manage time
Breaking down your project into smaller segments is the first step in defining reasonable deadlines. For instance, study, outline, write the first 1000 words, then the final 1000 words, and then edit. Breaking jobs down not only makes them less intimidating, but the consistency of meeting smaller targets will boost your drive and productivity.
Next, go over previous projects and look for any delays. Perhaps your essay required more research than you expected, or editing took longer than you expected. Consider this while planning the time it will take to accomplish your next writing project. Never cease assessing and improving your processes. After you’ve been writing blog articles for a while, you’ll have a better idea of how long it takes to research, write, and edit a piece.
8. Feeling socially isolated is the toughest writing challenge.
After all, authors spend a lot of time alone with their ideas and words; therefore, it’s a lonely career. However, this does not imply you should neglect socialising with friends and family or meeting new people.
Socializing is an acquired talent. You can either improve it or lose it, just like any other talent. You can’t expect to keep your social skills if you spend all day indoors working on creative writing projects and don’t prioritise socialising. One could even argue that having great social skills can help you write more compelling articles.
Overcoming loneliness
As a writer, you must prioritise your priorities. Because we are social creatures, socialising should rank alongside food and water. However, few writers prioritise it. So, instead of watching TV or surfing the web after you’ve finished your work for the day, try something new. Attend a writer’s networking event or take up a new interest such as dance, surfing, or martial arts. These are all interesting ways to meet others who share your interests. You will gain a better grasp of what other people are interested in if you go out and chat with other individuals. how they communicate and engage with one another, and so on. All of these will assist you in becoming a better writer.
So now you know some of the toughest writing challenges and how to overcome them. But you need one concrete solution so that you can be a better writer. Let us see how.
Henry Harvin Content Writing Course
Content-writing courses are in high demand in this new digitalization era. Contrary to popular belief, anyone with a high school diploma can now pursue a career in content writing, contrary to previous ideas that only highly educated people might be great content writers. The Henry Harvin Certified Digital Content Writer (CDCW) accreditation is the best in the industry, according to Trainings360.
A content writing certification will not only help you gain new career prospects, but it will also open the door to numerous other opportunities. Many professionals, individuals, and small businesses desire to have a blog, and many of them hire a content writer to do so. You can either take advantage of these opportunities or consider starting a blog for yourself and your friends, including alumni of schools, institutions, organisations, and so on.
Henry Harvin® is one of the Top 500 Global Edtech Companies, with over 300,000 alumni, 900+ B2B clients, 500+ award-winning trainers, and 400+ courses. If you want to learn how to tackle the toughest writing challenge, the content writing course is the one to take.
Why take this course?
The course will teach you how to write 30+ different sorts of content and how to make money online by writing. You should learn to develop your basic language skills in order to write for international clients. Improve your web design skills by creating a basic website and a personal blog. Develop your graphic design abilities to create PPTs, newsletters, logos, and more. Finally, master advanced research procedures that will allow you to write on any topic. The course includes 40 hours of two-way, live, interactive classroom sessions to help students put their newfound knowledge into practice.
The gold membership provides learners with exceptional perks such as e-learning access, guaranteed internships, career chances, BootCamp, and exclusive access to a complimentary Soft Skills Development Module.
All things considered
Every professional, regardless of their industry, will experience some challenges in their work. When it comes to conquering these challenges and making progress in your career, knowing how to work on each issue is critical.
The previous guidelines are intended to assist you in recognising and overcoming the many writing obstacles you may experience. Being a writer can be difficult at times, but pushing through the difficulties can be extremely enjoyable and rewarding. When in confusion, take a break and research how to improve your skills or pursue a content writing course.
Recommended Reads
- Introduction to Blogging – A Detailed Guide.
- Blogging For Writers: 12 Top Tips Every Creative Must Know.
- 7 Benefits of Having an Effective Blogging Strategy
FAQs
Answer: To be a better writer, try setting yourself up for regular writing tasks. They don’t have to be big and time-consuming; even committing to writing a paragraph a day is plenty! Incorporate your daily reading into your writing exercises as well; perhaps make your practice paragraph a review or summary of what you read that day, incorporating different components of the author’s writing style to create your own voice.
Answer: You can not only brush up on your basic writing abilities but also study the complexities of online content writing with content writing courses. Furthermore, digital media platforms are constantly evolving in response to new trends and technologies. As a result, staying relevant by learning new skills is equally crucial for content writers. Content writing is a highly sought-after ability and one of the most important criteria for marketing firms. Great content not only attracts followers but also generates leads, boosts sales conversions, and improves the company’s reputation. Being a superb content writer with all of the necessary skills, on the other hand, takes time and patience. You must be willing to devote more time to writing and, most essentially, be a quick learner.
Answer: In today’s educational system, it is normal for pupils to despise and/or avoid the writing process. Many students believe that writing takes an inordinate amount of time. Writing can be a difficult undertaking for some because there are so many sub-components to consider. According to specialists, deficit writers are frequently accused of lethargy, a lack of enthusiasm, and a despicable attitude. The end effect can be a significant loss of motivation as well as widespread academic dissatisfaction and demoralisation. As a result, it is a common problem that must be overcome by devoting sufficient time to yourself and following some of the tips mentioned above.
Answer: Irregular verb forms are one of the most difficult grammar topics to grasp, even for native speakers, many of whom use incorrect irregular forms unconsciously. Second, according to Grammarly’s study, run-on sentences are among the most common grammar errors made by writers around the world. Third, because English does not conjugate verbs to represent the subject’s gender, you simply need to pay strict attention to the subject’s number. Finally, when you employ the pronouns “her” or “him,” readers must know to whom you are referring. An ambiguous pronoun is one that lacks a clear antecedent.
