Why Writing Is So Hard…

Maybe you’re doing it all wrong

Everyone writes, maybe not professionally or very often, but one thing that’s common in the world is writing. Be it writing your name on a piece of paper, filling out a form to open a checking account, or even writing out your number for that cute girl or boy. We write almost every single day.

I started writing well since I could hold a pen, But I started writing professionally about a year ago. The thought of writing articles that people would read and connect with on a personal level intrigued me. So I thought that I might as well give it a shot.

Since writing is common and it is something we do all the time. There are different forms of writing. And some forms of writing tend to be more difficult than others, but despite the diverse types of writing, something tends to be common in professional writing.

IT IS HARD

Writing is hard, and I mean in almost every form. You would be surprised at the number of times I would stay in front of a blank screen thinking of the words to write, and this could go on for hours on some days.

Most people would like to term this as the famous “writer’s block”, I would like to think that the word “plot block”, is a more suitable term to use in such a context. But despite that, the inability to write tends to stem from something a little more than that.

We’ll cover a few reasons why writing tends to be Hard(ER) for writers. As well as how a writer experiencing difficulty in writing can overcome this problem, and ultimately become a better writer.

Why Is Writing So Hard?

Writing, in general, is no easy feat. If writing is easy, quality content would not be as relevant as it is. Here are some reasons why writing tends to be difficult

1. Too Many Expectations: I remember when I started writing, it was fluent and easy. Why? Because I simply wrote because I enjoyed writing, but as I grew up and started writing professionally, many factors came into my writing, such as “Will anyone like to read this article?”, “is this article worth the time and effort”. These expectations can sometimes act as constraints that hinder ones creative flow when writing.
2. Lack Of Ideas: Having ideas on what to write is as important as writing itself. Writing without a good plan, plot, and custom set of ideas to create good content can be frustrating. Because writing from the hip isn’t favorable for all writers. This can make writing feel cumbersome and inefficient.
3. Inconsistency: The fear of most writers is not the problems that come with writing, but the problems that come from not writing. This is because writing Is like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the more you’ll be more efficient with it. So if you don’t write for some time, trying to “Pick off from where you started” can prove a difficult task.
4. Because It Needs To Be Hard: Writing tends to be hard because it simply needs to be. If everyone could write amazing, thought-out articles effortlessly, then writing simply wouldn’t be as valuable or important as it should be. So if you feel like writing that article is taking much of your time or is too darn hard, then maybe it’s simply because that’s how it should be… HARD.

What To Do When Writing Gets Hard

Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why writing tends to be difficult for some writers, let us look at what one can do when writing gets difficult.

1. Trust The Process: There are certain times when you’re writing and you’re just asking yourself, “Where is this article going?”. It gets frustrating that you kinda just feel like dropping the entire article, blog post, or whatever you’re writing. This is normal and happens to a lot of writers. The most efficient way to solve this problem is to have a plan, plot, outline, or simply anything that gives your writing general direction. This way you save yourself hours of trying to make things fit into the right places. Another option is to simply see it through. You’ve already started, you might as well just finish it. Who knows the article might just be your best one yet.
2. Find the Right Routine: How many times have you seen those ‘genius’ writers who sit in the corner of coffee shops and write hours of quality content, it’s easy to feel intimated by such individuals. But one thing to understand is that what will work for one person might not necessarily work for you. This is why every writer should have a routine, a system that works for you, this can be an invaluable discovery as having a good routine can drastically increase productivity and creativity.
3. Get Fresh Information and Inspiration: The truth is that you can only write what you have some idea of. Writing on something that you’re not quite knowledgeable of will only lead to more difficulty in your creative process. So if you want to write better articles and engage with your readers on a more personal level, then you should seek more information and inspiration. Because in the very end your writing will only be as interesting as you are.
4. Go For A Walk: When writing gets difficult, Stop writing, not for a very long period, but just for a few hours. Don’t try to wrangle words onto your page. Trying to force words that simply aren't there will lead to content that will not connect with your readers the level you want it to. So take some time of from writing, clear your head, take your dog for a walk. I’m sure that by the time you return to write, it will get noticeably easier.

Writing can be hard. It can also be easy and fun. Or fun and hard. Or hard but important, exciting, and fulfilling. We wouldn’t keep doing it otherwise. It’s hard because doing it well matters, because stories matter, and the details matter. So the next time you’re experiencing trouble writing, take time to evaluate why you’re facing these problems and take actionable steps to solve them.