The biggest emotional challenge of being a writer? Trying to make a living off my art.
Among writing circles, authors often joke about how they went into book-writing for the money [insert sarcasm here]. Making a living off of writing is a challenging pursuit, because hard work does not necessarily equal success.
There isn’t a ladder to climb—it’s more like stumbling around in the woods without a trail. You know the general direction you’re heading—the advice says to have social media accounts, a newsletter, etc.—but just because you’re doing those things doesn’t mean your sales will equally match the effort.
This can be disheartening, to say the least.
Attaching a Monetary Value to Art Can Stifle Creativity
Attaching a monetary value to any form of art can feel creatively stifling.
You allow the “what ifs” to dictate the process: what if my agent will think it’s too long, what if my editor won’t like this character, what if the reader doesn’t care? What if this book doesn’t sell and I can’t pay my bills, go on vacation, or hire a publicist for the next book?
These what-ifs are a breeding ground for frustration and writer’s block. Beyond anything else, the financial pressure of being a “career writer” is by far the most challenging emotional hurdle.
When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, Bring Yourself Back to the Work
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, frustrated, or worried about the future, I always bring myself back to the work.
First and foremost, I write because I enjoy the act of writing. I love losing myself in a story, discovering new places and characters, developing surprising stories, and learning things about myself through the process of writing.
So, whenever I find myself allowing the pressures of the world to encroach on the joy of writing, I remind myself why I write in the first place. I would write even if I never made a dime off my books. Reminding myself that writing is ultimately a labor of love is a big motivator when I feel lost in the weeds of worry.
On a larger scale, I have maintained a regular “day job” to provide myself with some financial security, so not all that weight falls on my writing. This has removed a great deal of pressure from my creativity.
When all else fails, and I’m just feeling overwhelmed: taking a break outdoors always brings me mental clarity.
Endless Screen Time Creates Pain for a Writer
Endless screen time is a big challenge for me, and it comes with strained eyes, a sore back, and waning focus.
I’ve been working from home for about six years, but have only recently found balance: in getting a job as a horse caretaker. The job entails living on a rural farm (our house is about ten steps from the barn) and caring for horses 24/7.
There’s hay to be thrown, stalls to be mucked, fence-lines to be walked. I still work from home, but my routine is far more balanced now. Computer time is broken up by time spent with the animals outside.
Having a physical outdoor job in addition to my screen-focused work has helped me get more exercise and fresh air, which has been essential to my physical health.
Making a Habit of Being Creative is the Ticket to “Feeling” Creative
For me, making a habit of being creative has been the ticket to “feeling” more creative on a daily basis. I think of it like a muscle: the more you do it, the stronger you get.
That said, there are a number of things I find really inspiring and nurturing to my writing: travel, books, movies, and unique experiences (recent favorites: taking a pottery class, learning archery, going whale watching).
My Best Book Marketing Technique: Instagram
Connecting with my readers through Instagram has been huge. There’s a fabulous community of readers over there, and being authentic and consistent on that platform has really helped me expand my readership.
I think a lot of writers hear the word “marketing” and immediately cringe. Reframing how you view marketing can be a beneficial thing.
Don’t think of it as a sleazy “buy my book” campaign; think of it as a genuine opportunity to connect with readers who share your interests. For this reason, I actually really enjoy marketing.
I Consider Writing to be an Essential Practice
I “make” time for writing, just as I make time to shower, eat, and sleep. I consider my writing to be an essential practice; it significantly contributes to my mental health. By considering it an essential part of my day, I take the excuses off the table.
Writing aside, I work three jobs: content production at a magazine, freelance coaching and editing, and the horse caretaker position. My laptop is open from 6:30 AM to 5 PM, with horse chores interspersed throughout the day.
In order to write, I wake up early. I am not a morning person, but by starting my day with my favorite activity, I give myself a great reason to get out of bed. And once I’m done writing, I already feel like the day is “mine.” It’s a great motivator.
Advice for a Young Writer: Remind Yourself to Have Fun
Write, write, write. Read, read, read. This is how you get better. (Specifically, I recommend reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert to establish a healthy outlook on creative work).
On a more philosophical note, regularly re-center your creative self by reminding yourself to have fun. Creating art of any kind can be scary and challenging—remember to find joy in the process! Because that’s the whole point, isn’t it?
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Jennifer Gold is an award-winning author of book club fiction. Her books feature themes of love, second-chances, and self-discovery. Her debut novel, The Ingredients of Us , won a Book Excellence Award in 2020. Booklist has called her characters “multifaceted” and her storylines “compelling” and “bittersweet.”
When she’s not writing, you can find her sipping coffee, enjoying the outdoors, or curled up with a book. She loves nature documentaries and stories with realistic hopefully-ever-afters. Jenni is a travel-obsessed romantic living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three cats.
Fans can learn more through Jenni’s newsletter, which features book-related sneak peeks, photos from her travels, and funny stories from her life as a horse caretaker. Jenni also loves connecting with fans on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at her website.
The Ingredients of Us: Elle, an accomplished baker, has a recipe for every event in her life. But when she discovers her husband’s infidelity, she doesn’t know what to make of it. Jam, maybe? Definitely jam.
Fed up with the stale crumbs of her marriage, Elle revisits past recipes and the events that inspired them. A recipe for scones reminds her of her father’s death, cinnamon rolls signify the problematic courtship with her husband, and a batch of chocolate cookies casts Elle in a less-than-flattering light. Looking back, Elle soon realizes that some ingredients were missing all along.
After confronting her husband, Elle indulges her sweet tooth in other ways, including a rebound that just leaves her more confused. As secrets from the past collide with the conflicts of the present, Elle struggles to manage her bakery business and maintain the relationships most important to her. In piecing her life back together, will Elle learn to take the bitter with the sweet?
Available at Amazon.
Keep Me Afloat: Five years ago, marine biologist Abby Fisher made a mistake that cost her everything. Rather than face the consequences, she fled home to start anew—and built the career she’d always dreamed of. But when her research program runs out of funding, she’s adrift once again and decides to return to the safe harbor of her family and friends.
Except nothing at home is how she remembered.
Her friendships are strained, her normally affectionate parents seem distant, and her once-great love story is now just a painful memory. What’s worse, she keeps running into the people she hurt years ago—and they aren’t ready to forgive her.
Abby is determined to atone for her mistakes, but she can’t seem to move beyond her guilt for a chance of future happiness. Can Abby learn to sail through the storm, or will she remain lost at sea?
Poignant and heartfelt, Keep Me Afloat asks the question: How can you expect forgiveness from others if you can’t even forgive yourself?
Available at Amazon.