Five Things Writers Need to STOP Doing

⌛ By Kaylin R. Staten ⌛

All of us have stories that resonate with us, whether it’s a bedtime tale from our childhoods or the book that we currently cannot put down. Stories guide our memories of bygone days, what we hope to achieve, and how we are perceived after we leave this world. 

I curate and cultivate a living by telling stories. There are so many stories we hold back out of fear or another constraint. We don’t want to hurt those close to us, reopen old wounds, be seen as less than who we are… the list can go on and on if we let it. 

So, I get it. I really do. Anxiety has held me back in one form or another my entire life. I held my poetry like a private badge of honor, and I HAVE YET to publish my novel. How can we get past our comfort zones to actually tell our stories?

My hope is that these following tips will help you as you navigate #NaNoWriMo and other writing projects. Let’s make an effort to STOP:

Overthinking it.

If you sit there and look at a blank screen for long enough, you certainly could imagine words typing themselves on the page. Overthinking and the pursuit of unachievable perfection will kill your writer’s spirit. Just write without constraints. Write whatever comes to mind, even if that’s stream of consciousness. You can beautify the words, punctuation, and grammar during the editing process. 

Stifling feelings.

I am an empath to my core, so that means that writing is sometimes very emotionally taxing for me. Have you ever avoided writing about something that will tug at your emotions or break your heart in two over again? I most certainly have. I have even avoided writing in my journal because I dread uncovering the truth behind thoughts and feelings. Fight the urge to avoid this part. It’s a natural process, and when you allow it to happen, then relief will overcome you. I always feel better when I sort through thoughts and feelings on paper or on my computer screen. 

Keeping it from the world.

One of the most challenging aspects of being a writer (or a creative in any industry) is the fear of criticism. Look, I’m still figuring out best practices. I can take constructive criticism just like any adult should, but there are some personal attacks that cause a deviation from my optimistic course. Don’t let the fear of rejection keep you from ever putting your work out there. Trust me, there will be heaps of rejections, but all you need is that one pivotal “yes” to change your perspective and life.

Waiting for the “right” moment.

“I will write that when I retire.” “I’ll get to it over the weekend when I have more time.” “I’ll write about that topic when I get my ish together.” Oh, dear, you’re doing yourself a disservice. My perfect writing conditions include sitting next to an open window of a Paris apartment with unlimited cups of coffee, macaroons, and my favorite fountain pen. Add a blustery rainy day, my husband, and my cats to the mix and it’s writing heaven! (And, let’s be honest, some cheese never hurt my perfect writing dream, either.) Do those conditions present themselves to me on a daily basis? Of course not! I take elements from that vision, such as a cup of coffee or the smell of lavender, to kickstart my writing. I would LOVE to be in Paris every day, but I live in America, so... We have to figure out how to push past not feeling motivated in order to remain productive. 

Judging yourself.

Stop thinking that you’re writing crap or that you’re less than worthy of telling your story! Gain confidence by telling other people’s stories first, if you are hung up on your own narrative. Interview people and write an article, blog post, or another piece of content that you can repurpose. Write in your own style. Follow writing rules if you want to -- or need to, depending on your audience. Don’t aim for perfection right out of the gate. Just be your authentic self and try your best to stop with negative thought patterns.

Kaylin R. Staten, APR, is an award-winning public relations practitioner and writer based in Huntington, WV with nearly 16 years of professional communications experience. As CEO and founder of Hourglass Media, she uses her compassionate spirit and expertise to delve into the heart of clients’ stories. She is a recovering perfectionist, mental health advocate, wife, cat mom and Leia Organa aficionado. Connect with Kaylin on LinkedIn.

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