Featured Writer on Wellness: Kathleen Rouser

My biggest emotional challenges of being a writer can change depending on where I am in the process.

Overall, I would say it’s coping with depression as that has been a struggle most of my adult life. It affects so many areas, like whether I can talk myself into writing my next story or the next word.

I can find myself feeling rather glass half-empty and that makes it harder to reach out to others or wanting to market my writing as well.

My Faith Helps Me Through Hard Writing Times

The first thing that helps me keep perspective is my faith in Jesus Christ. Spending time with my Savior, reading the Bible or talking to Him in prayer is my go-to.

But I also do things like exercise regularly, use a “happy lamp” during the winter, and take supplements and/or medication.

And some days I struggle to get over my perfectionism, fearing I can’t write something “good enough” which leads to writer’s fear, what many refer to as writer’s block.

Sometimes it’s enough to quote Joshua 1:9 (This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.) and send up a prayer. Other times, it may take several days of journaling to break through what’s blocking me.

Having pets such as my two-year-old cats, Opal and Ruby, helps in general. Having them nearby while I’m writing, sitting on my lap for a cuddle, or just watching their antics often bring me comfort and joy.

How I Make Sure to Move as a Writer

My biggest physical challenges is probably being sedentary.

I really don’t love exercise or housework. Writing, with all its peripheral activities, gives me the opportunity to stay glued to the computer or busy reading rather than being up and moving around. Add the craving for sugar when I’m tired—it’s a bad combination.

I combat that by often making myself exercise first thing in the morning, four to five days a week for 40 to 60 minutes. Before I turned forty, I bought a book on using weights for strength training and learned a routine.

I also have a variety of stretching exercises I’ve learned from times in physical therapy for my back. And I try to get something aerobic in whether it’s walking in the neighborhood, biking, or following along with a Leslie Sansone walking DVD. There are also some nice stretching routines I’ve done through Praise Moves, which is a Christian alternative to yoga.

At times I’ve used the Pomodoro method, where you set a timer for twenty-five minutes and then set if for another five for a break and go perform a quick task or walk around the house. This way I’m sure to take time to move. I found that setting the timer can also make me more focused and productive too.

If Your Stuck In Your Life, You Can Get Stuck in Writing

More recently, after working with a writing coach, I’ve tried expressive writing, which is sort of like journaling with a purpose.

It can be as simple as writing a list of facts or delving into writing about a trauma four days in a row for twenty minutes. That will get you started.

Two books I’ve found helpful delving into it are The Power of Writing it Down by Allison Fallon and Expressive Writing: Words That Heal by James Pennebaker and John Evans. There are others, but these two are a good place to start.

The theory is if you’re stuck somewhere in your life, you can get stuck in writing. If you work through the issue by writing it can help unstick your creativity too. I’m on my second round of working through some painful emotions to get unstuck again.

On the other hand, comparison kills creativity. If a writer starts thinking about all the other authors whom they think write better than they do or who sell more books, it takes one’s mind off the task at hand. I need to remind myself often that I’m supposed to write the stories I’m meant to write, to keep writing and not always look at what others are doing.

If I Don’t Make Writing a Priority, It Doesn’t Get Done

These days I’m home much of the time. I do volunteer work, such as being an instructor for middle grade kids at Community Bible Study.

Still, if I don’t make writing a priority it doesn’t get done. I have tried to set aside blocks of time to write, but often what works best for me is a word count goal.

I make of list of things to do each day and make sure writing gets on the list. When I’m consistent at sitting down several days a week and getting something down, then I can accomplish much—in increments. The important thing is not to give up, but to keep plugging away until you meet your goal.

When I was working full time, I would often write during lunch breaks, or twenty minutes at a coffee shop before work, and then on the weekend. You’d be surprised how much you can get done.

You Can’t Overcome If You Don’t Try New Things!

Probably marketing has been my biggest challenge. There was a time when I thought I was making progress, but then I felt that promoting on social media really wasn’t selling books, unless I had a freebie available!

But seriously, I’m an introvert who likes deeper conversations and real friendships. I’m not very comfortable on social media. It was causing me more stress than helping me, so I have stepped back from it.

Not completely, but I haven’t been posting as often and I am reassessing how I should connect with readers and potential readers. I’ve written up a list of email subjects I’d like to cover and send out to my list on a more regular basis. I have an email list, but I haven’t taken advantage of it in a while.

So, I may not have overcome this challenge yet, but I’m working on it, and looking for new angles to try. You can’t overcome if you don’t try new things!

Advice for a Young Writer: Don’t Let Perfectionism Stop You

Write and don’t let perfectionism stop you.

The first draft will probably be terrible. That’s okay. Give yourself permission to fail.

Learn your craft, go to conferences, and meet other writers. Invest in your writing and yourself and keep plugging away. Make the time to write. You’re worth it!

And if you’re a believer and you feel it’s your calling to write, trust God to guide you on your way.

* * *

Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and a multi-published author of historical and contemporary Christian romance. She is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Kathleen has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She’s in the grip of God’s grace and is a fan of the three Cs—cats, coffee, and chocolate.

The mother of three, who is a former homeschool instructor, mild-mannered dental assistant, and current Community Bible Study kids’ teacher, lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of forty years, and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.

For more on Kathleen and her work, please see her website and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

---

Rumors and Promises: Sophie Biddle is an heiress on the run with a child in tow. Wary and self-reliant, Sophie is caught off guard when meeting a kind, but meddling and handsome minister at the local mercantile.

Believing he has failed God and his former flock, the Reverend Ian McCormick is determined to start anew in Stone Creek, Michigan. While Sophie seeks acceptance for her child and a measure of respect for herself, the rumors swirl about her sordid past.

Should Ian show concern for Sophie’s plight? If he does, he’ll risk losing everything — including his new position as pastor of Stone Creek. Will the scandals of their pasts bind them together, or drive both deeper into a spiral of shame?

Available at Amazon.

Flying Into Love: Her great-grandmother’s journal holds the key to the past–and maybe her future.

Unable to say no when others need her, Talia Sampson took on her deceased aunt’s advice column and the care of her special needs niece. Then new veteran, Ben Tanner, shows up unexpected on her doorstep.

Hurt many times, he wonders where home is. Talia isn’t happy finding a hot-air balloon with him, but she treasures the old journal with it. Ben hopes restoring her family’s antique will please her, until he discovers a secret that shatters his trust. And Talia hates flying.

Will she trust God—and Ben—enough to go airborne?

Available at Amazon.