10 suggestions to overcoming writing obstacles

We discussed the first three suggestion to overcoming writing obstacles in an earlier blog.

1. Run, walk, exercise – stir up the endorphins
2. Get outside. Breathe in God’s fresh air
3. Write in a different place – change up the scenery

4. Get involved with your target age group

If you write for children, lead Sunday school, girl scouts, brownies, boy scouts, little league. Volunteer at an elementary school, special Olympics, a buddy walk. Hang out with your neighbor’s little kids. Go to a park and observe children’s interactions with each other. Listen to their words, their expressions, their tone of voice. What makes them laugh? Notice children at Fast food restaurants, how they respond to their parents, how they eat, what they eat. Consider how they dress. Does it look like they picked out their own clothes? Imagine why they may have chosen to dress that way. Linger in a bookstore near the children’s books and observe the books kids choose, what they are drawn to.

5. Journal

This is my favorite. All writers can journal. Write a prayer to God, write what’s on your heart, what is bothering you, what makes you sad. Start a Thankful journal and document everything you are thankful for each day. You aren’t writing for publication in your journal but you are writing, doing what you feel called to do. Enjoy that time with God. Reflect, meditate, praise.

6. Color

Color in a beautiful creative adult coloring book. Borrow a page of your child’s coloring book. Blend the colors. Use colors you don’t normally use together. Use pens, colored pencils, crayons, markers, anything you have on hand or that you feel like using. Color in the lines, outside of the lines. Color abstractly. It’s a mindless, beautiful, expression of you and of your mood. Finish it or don’t. You decide. Any form of art is creating and God delights in creating. It may take the focus off your writing block and free you to create.

7. Sew or paint.

Pull out your sewing machine if you have one and make a table runner, a bright colorful table runner. Sew a new window valance. Cross stitch, needle point, fix a hem, hand stitch a square and use it as a napkin. Anything you feel like sewing together, stitch and create. Again, another form of creativity.

Paint a picture. Fully engage the artistic side of your brain. Let loose and have fun! Be a child again and quit judging your results. Just enjoy the process of creating. Or repaint a room. Choose a new color. Focus. Enjoy the big strokes of the brush and what ensues.

8. Go to a Writers’ Conference.

You’ve probably heard this a hundred times, but it is so important. I won’t linger on this point but find a conference and try to get there. You’ll be glad you did! At Christian Conferences we’re all there for the same reason and that is to further God’s kingdom through the gifts He has given to each of us. Conferences help shape writers. To be surrounded with so many other writers with this same desire of serving the Lord, of becoming better writers for His glory, of seeking to grow to become the best we can be is mind blowing and spiritually renewing.

9. Don’t forget about others.

Always take time to encourage others in their writing. If the lady in my earlier post, hadn’t slowed down her running long enough to talk to me and encourage me, I may still be struggling with every hill I face if I hadn’t already quit running all together. Sometimes helping others gives you the clarity to move beyond your own obstacle. Who might you encourage today?

10.Don’t quit!

Know that you will get around this obstacle. Sometimes obstacles cause us to notice more of God’s world, to smell the roses along the way, appreciate His gifts, depend on Him more. Know there are different seasons. Some seasons may be plentiful with writing. Inspirations and ideas may flow like a waterfall over you as you struggle to write fast enough to keep afloat. Other times may be seasons of reflection, of drawing near to God, of focusing on other areas. Don’t beat yourself up in these times and don’t make writing a chore. There may be deadlines to meet whether from a publisher, editor, writer’s group, or yourself. But have grace. Allow yourself to linger in God’s presence without demanding that you be productive every moment. Enjoy the writing and the obstacles. Allow God to grow you in the quiet times as well as in  your writing times.

What obstacles have you faced in your writing? And how did you overcome them? We’d love to hear from you!