Through conversations with other writers over the years, it’s become clear that issues including fear of rejection, occasional self-doubt and writer’s block simply come with the territory for novelists.
I’ve experienced all of that, but for me, the biggest emotional challenge to writing on a regular basis is struggling to make the time.
Finding balance between all of the demands of my day—from my full-time job, to spending quality time with my family, and carving out uninterrupted daily stretches in which to write—remains a constant struggle.
I worked for 20 years as a TV news anchor and reporter while raising my children, and while it was an amazing opportunity to tell daily stories on-air, my novel writing often fell onto the back burner. I wrote when I could, but I never seemed to finish anything.
In 2014, after a bit of soul-searching and finally asking myself where I wanted to devote my energy, it became clear that writing books was my No. 1 passion. So, why had I placed that on the back burner?
I knew I had to do things differently and that would require big changes.
Once I Found a Job More Conducive to My Writing Needs, I Published My First Two Novels
Not able to give up the steady income of my day job quite yet, I took the plunge and changed careers when the opportunity presented itself.
Talk about scary!
I was offered a position with a local marketing agency where I now put my storytelling skills to use creating videos for a wide range of clients. My work schedule offers me flexibility, and my employer is extremely supportive of my goals as a novelist.
Once I was able to find a job more conducive to my personal writing needs (and one that allowed for less stress and more sleep), I published my first two novels and am currently working on my third.
When I Get Overwhelmed, Nagging, Doubting Thoughts Creep In
Writing can be an isolating gig, so finding out ways to build a community with other writers is important for mental clarity.
I find that when I get overwhelmed, nagging thoughts like, “Maybe I’m not cut out to be a novelist” and “What makes you think you can do this?” find a way of creeping in.
Talking with other writers helps put everything back into perspective for me and reminds me that I write because I love it and it brings me intense joy. To hear seasoned writers—you know, the people we think have it all figured out—say that they, too, struggle with the same thoughts and challenges as I do is comforting. To have my concerns validated makes me feel that they are somehow more manageable.
I’ve made an effort to get involved with Wordcrafters, a local writers’ community, and I enjoy attending conferences when I can, to not only improve my craft, but to meet and network with fellow authors.
Physical Activity Gives Me a Mental Break from Stationary Writing Time
The biggest physical challenge of being a writer is that the craft is sedentary. The more I write, the longer I sit.
And the longer I sit, the more likely I am to munch on less-than-healthy snacks (Darn you Mike and Ikes and all your sweet, processed friends). I like sugar, so that’s definitely a struggle.
To help offset that, I’ve begun to focus and where I can add activity to my week. I have a dear friend who I meet a couple of times a week for Jazzercise classes, and I go on walks with another friend when our schedules align.
While I probably own nearly every piece of workout equipment, from a treadmill and weights to yoga bands and a boxing bag, I can easily tire of the same old routine, and I require accountability for success.
I have no problem telling myself, “Oh, I’ll do that later,” but it’s much more difficult to cancel on a friend who is expecting me to show up. These opportunities for physical activity also give me the mental break I need from all that stationary writing time.
Being On the Road Stimulates My Creativity
I’ve learned that the key to my creativity is not to force it. I know many disciplined writers who crank out a designated word count each day as scheduled, no matter what. But for me, if I’m not “feeling it,” I don’t force myself to do it. If I do, it’s no longer fun for me.
Instead, I go for a drive. I have found that being on the road somehow stimulates my brain. If I find myself struggling to fix a plot hole, or I’m at a loss for how to transition from one scene to another, I’ll go for a drive.
There’s something about the sounds or the motion—or maybe a combination of the two—that gets my creative juices flowing. I’ve had numerous pieces of character dialogue come to me while driving to work or to the grocery store. I managed to remedy what I thought was an insurmountable plot problem by simply cruising to the post office.
There’s been research done on the topic of sound and creativity, one study concluding that optimal creative thinking happens with a level of noise that is not too loud, but not in total silence either. Researchers conclude that 70 decibels seem to be just right to feed creativity.
This may be why so many people choose to leave the sacredness of their home writing space to write in places like coffee shops. Whether this is the reason I find clarity behind the steering wheel, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s an intriguing thought.
My Greatest Triumph as a Writer was Publishing My First Book
My greatest triumph as a writer was publishing my first book, completing a dream I’ve had since I was a kid.
When I picked up my first box of print copies at the post office, I was so ecstatic that I must have taken two dozen selfies in the parking lot with my book in hand and a giddy grin on my face. It was euphoric!
My second greatest triumph was receiving my first positive reviews from people I didn’t know.
Let’s face it: all authors appreciate it when friends and family like our stuff, but entertaining strangers who are in no way obligated to do us any favors, is incredibly satisfying!
Writing is Where I Find Intense Happiness
Writing is where I find intense happiness; I always have.
I often tell people that my worst day of writing is still a pretty darn good day, and I truly mean it.
There is something about creating fiction that feeds my soul. When I bring characters to life and they begin to tell me their story—anything is possible. I grew up reading books that really spoke to me and now, I want to create stories that speak to others.
Advice for a Young Writer: Never Let Anyone Discourage You
If you want it, then do it!
Read a lot, learn, and observe other writers. Ask yourself: what are your favorite books? And why do you like them so much?
Don’t give up; writing (especially novels) can be a long process, and it takes discipline.
But most of all, I would tell someone who wants to write to NEVER let anyone discourage them. There are lots of critics out there, and unfortunately, we often listen to the wrong people about what’s best for ourselves. If you want to be a writer—find a way to make it happen.
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Kelli Warner writes adult and contemporary romance novels, the kind of stories that get your insides so wound up in an ooey gooey mess that you forget about the un-fun stuff in life.
A native Oregonian, Kelli is a relationship-builder who is happiest when she’s writing and telling stories. She spent 20 years as an award-winning TV newscaster and reporter and is now an Amazon-bestselling author, writing novels full of humor, heart and happy endings.
Find more about Kelli and her work on her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Moment We Fell: Paige Bryant’s dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer died along with her mother. Drowning in grief and plagued by guilt, Paige is blindsided by a provision in her mother’s will that sends her to live with the father she never knew. Forced to start over in a new town, and at a new school where she’s now the principal’s daughter, Paige is convinced that her life can’t possibly get more complicated—until fate throws her into the path of the only boy her guardian tells her is off-limits.
Despite two years on the straight and narrow, Cade Matthews can’t escape his time as a juvenile delinquent. With his dad behind bars, Cade’s feelings of anger and betrayal are as relentless as the rumors he’s trying to outrun. The only person not listening to the gossip is the new girl with her own set of troubles, including a father who will never give Cade a fair shake.
As Paige tries to adjust to her new life and an uncertain future, a set of unopened journals reveals a dark family secret. When tensions rise to a boiling point, can Paige and Cade make peace with the past before it destroys them?
Available on Amazon.
Not with the Band: Drama. Jerks. Another new school. Those are three things Kassidy Perry vows to avoid her senior year of high school. Unfortunately, it looks like the Universe didn’t get the memo. When her mom marries the football coach from a rival high school, Kassidy’s forced to move (again), enroll in a new school (again) and adapt to life with three stepbrothers, including the school’s star quarterback who’s barely said two words to her. And what’s up with her incredibly hot-yet-cocky neighbor who’s developed a weird habit of climbing the trellis to her bedroom’s balcony? Nothing about her senior year is turning out the way Kassidy planned—and that’s before a revealed family secret drops the biggest bombshell yet.
Jordan Lawson couldn’t care less about football, even though he’s starting his senior year on the radar of college recruiters. He just wants to play music with his band, win a national contest with a record label and pursue his dream of being a musician. When those plans are threatened, his saving grace lies in the hands of his new stepsister. But how can he ask Kassidy for a monumental favor, when he’s partly to blame for derailing her life? And what if getting what he wants puts her dreams in jeopardy?
In her debut YA novel, Kelli Warner weaves a humorous and relatable story about finding your way in a world you can’t control—and what happens when the people you least expect turn out to be the ones you need the most.
Available on Amazon.