Wednesday, July 4, 2012

How to Overcome Writing Pressures

Writers must face a huge amount of pressure during our careers. Before we even get published, we have to deal with the pressure of balancing our writing time with our daily lives without the backup of having validated our career choice through publication. Then there's the pressure to come up with a story idea that's new and interesting, to finish that first draft, to rewrite, to edit, and rewrite again. We then have the pressure to write the perfect query letter, to research the right agent, to impress said agent.

But it doesn't end there. Once we gain publication we have to face more pressures. To market, to edit again, to 'get it right', and then to write another book that's even better than the first.

Among all that there are the unnecessary pressures we put on ourselves. There's the pressure to measure up to other writers. The pressure to 'succeed'. We worry about book signings and speaking engagements and coming up with the next great blog post to keep our readers interested. The pressure we put on ourselves is greater than any pressure from an outside source—especially if we are unrealistic in the way we measure success. We could either turn into diamonds under that pressure, or we could crack.

So how do we overcome these pressures? The simple answer is, 'Just breathe'. What I mean by this is that when we are heaped under a load of pressure—whether from ourselves or others—we forget. We forget how much we love to write. We forget we chose this life because the need to write flows in our blood. We can no sooner stop writing than we can stop breathing.

Sure, we might be able to hold our breath for a while, but soon the need to breathe—to write—presses in on us and we succumb and take that sweet breath. When we put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, we remember how right, how wonderful writing is.

Why go through the angst? Let's remember to breathe before we go blue, because let's face it, breathing and writing are awesome.

How do you overcome pressures of writing, study, career, or life in general?

This post was written for the Insecure Writer's Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. We post on the first Wednesday of each month. #IWSG

Thank you to Lauren for the Open Horizons award.

Carole Anne Carr is offering her ebook Candle Dark for free for three days from 6th July until 8th July. She is also offering her ebook First Wolf free for two days—July 12th and 13th. So be sure to check them out!

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56 comments:

Arooj said...

tomorrow i am having my MPhil admission test.though my sentence structure and ideas are good,i am not satisfied with my grammar.

Joanne said...

Writing is our breath, our oxygen. Excellent post, Lynda. ;)

Denise Covey said...

I handle the pressures by not putting unrealistic expectations on myself. I'm quite satisfied with publishing short stories and flash fiction while I polish my novels. No hurry.

Oh yes, i also find it helps to spend time travelling to keep my mind stimulated. Being in Fiji writing is paradise.

Thanks for a great post.

Denise

J.L. Campbell said...

Lynda, you're right on that score. Just before I got up, I rattled off in my brain the things I have to complete and wondering how and when they'll be done and how to juggle them. All it leads to is feeling like the world is on my shoulders.

I tell myself, 'it'll all get done when the time is right'. Yes, I do forget and go antsy again, but I find that things always work out in their time. Thanks for this reminder.

Shah Wharton said...

You are so right. Sometimes I have to take a step back and remind myself why I'm doing this. I feel like I'm walking around with an open wound and wince when anyone brings out the salt. I'm new to the #IWSG, but it's so me it was ridiculous not to join up. I'm in such great company too. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yes, the pressure to make the next book better...
I remind myself I chose this path. And that I can choose not to walk it anymore if I want. It's one of the few things I can control.

DEZMOND said...

I just ignore the pressure, pressure schmessure.... who needs it.....

Stephanie said...

Writing is how I breathe. I used to "relax" by watching videos online, and while I enjoyed it, it just became a huge time waster. You get sucked into those videos and end up spending hours just staring at the computer.

So now, I relax by writing. Not to get a word count, or work on a WIP. I spend 15 minutes every day just free writing to get all the stress out.

Luanne G. Smith said...

The pressure is the reason I try to convince myself I don't care if I ever get published or not. I just want to write. I think I'm still stuck in the coal phase of the metamorphic cycle.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I have to surround myself with supportive people who talk me off the self-doubt ledge. I can't do it on my own. I am too insecure. And, just keep writing, or playing, or creating, living, breathing, parenting, and following my intuition. Great post/question!

Play off the Page

Tonja said...

I was thinking about coal too. :) I had a lot of pressure (mostly self-imposed) when I worked at a normal job too. I think the difference with writing is it all seems to be so all or nothing, success or failure, with no steady paycheck along the way.

Suze said...

'because let's face it, breathing and writing are awesome.'

:) :) :)

cleemckenzie said...

Can't do one without the other IMHO! I do a lot of breathing, then I go lie down, then I can return to the computer and write something. Love the lying down part!

Your giveaway is wonderful. I hope it garners you a ton of new readers.

Anonymous said...

So true. All those pressures we put on ourselves in addition to those pressures for which we have no control can burn us out. I'm trying to breathe and out the inner demons aside and just try to enjoy my writing.

Tara Tyler said...

too much pressure and we explode
but a little pressure is good, like goals =)

Old Kitty said...

Breathing is good!!! LOL!!! We must all remember to breathe! Stepping back and calming down helps too! Take care
x

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh! Good luck with your test!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I bet you are getting soooo inspired in Fiji. And yes, I'm thinking it's good not to be in any hurry.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Welcome to the group!! I'm glad you've joined up.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, that's a neat skill to have. You must teach me some time ;)

Melissa said...

Right now my pressure is the kids are out of school and I can get no writing time because of it. People ask me about when I'll publish my book. I have to bite my tongue not to answer, 'I have to get the @$#% thing written first!' I hope, come August, I'll have critique pressures instead. I'll welcome them!

Great post. :) IWSG #288

Jemi Fraser said...

Just breathe is probably the best advice ever! Taking our time is so important :)

Unknown said...

Breathing is good. Some pressure is good (tire pressure, air pressure.) But when the pressure gets too great, I have to go for a walk, or take a bath, or step away from the page for a day or two. I recharge my batteries by binge reading or a marathon day of movie watching.

Marta Szemik said...

Yes, the pressure builds and builds, but when something goes right, when that glorious review appears, or a deal is signed or a fan letter received--we glow.
I don't think I deal well with pressure because I pressure myself more than anyone else does. I'm focused and determined because I cannot imagine doing anything else in my life than writing (beside publishing, marketing, formatring etc...).

Anonymous said...

Great post... and you know sometimes taking a long breath is what I forget to do... thanks:)

Stacy S. Jensen said...

I often study how others "do it" to get tips. I've added several non-writing projects into the mix. I'm working on my new balance. :)

Unknown said...

*Inhales deeply* I see myself in this post, putting far more pressure on me than is necessary to get the job done. I will to remember that both writing and breathing are AWESOME! All I need to do is enjoy the process, and breathe. Thanks!

Charmaine Clancy said...

I meditate before I go to sleep each night with a guided hypnosis recording. It clears my mind and then stress don't trouble my sleep. I also am living by my new philosophy of 'don't get stuff done'. That way I'm actually being productive if things get left undone.

LM Preston said...

Great ideas. Overcoming the pressure starts from within.

michelle said...

The keyword is... breathe!
And I think it's baby steps first, before we jog, run and then finally sprint!

Bish Denham said...

Ah, I wondered why I write... it's all that pressure. As an introvert I just LOVE it! (not....) I keep reminding myself that I write for myself first and that I'll deal with rest as it comes, if it does.

Christine Rains said...

Great post! I think we all need to step back and just take a moment to breathe now and then. Goodness knows I do it. I'll offer myself up a little distraction and then come back to my writing refreshed.

Cherie Reich said...

Just breathe--I knew I was forgetting something!

Karen Lange said...

I think most non writers don't have a clue about what we face. I appreciate your insight and encouragement. I attended a small writing conference last year where Laura Resnick's topic focused on the same thing. "Breathe," she said, for it is important for so many reasons. :) Thanks for the reminder; I needed it today.

Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Breathing and writing are awesome! Love your encouraging post.

Lynn Proctor said...

breathing deeply does activate our brain cells :)

Sherry Ellis said...

So true! We writers put ourselves under a lot of pressure. I'll have to remember to breathe. Thanks for the advice.

Victoria Lindstrom said...

Thanks, Lynda...I needed that! I'm a late bloomer when it comes to writing, so my tendency is to feel like I have a lot of ground to make up. However, I know you're right about taking time to breathe. Allowing the creative juices to flow requires that we relax a bit. Have a great weekend!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Absolutely true, Lynda. From the past few days, I have been overstressed and under pressure. I completely get this post.

Nick Wilford said...

I do need a bit of pressure, I think, to push me towards goals. But too much and your focus is taken away from the actual writing. You have to step back sometimes!

Aidyl Ewoh said...

Hey Lynda!

I’m having a writing contest and would really like to see you enter! You can check it out here: http://aidylewoh.blogspot.com/2012/07/writing-contest.html
(I’m going to extend it till July 13th.) Hope to see you there!


~Aidyl

Missed Periods said...

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

In Which We Start Anew said...

Excellent post... I've been through many stages where I got bogged down with all the "other stuff" and forgot I loved to write. Remembering is always the best and most amazing feeling! :)

Golden Eagle said...

". . . breathing and writing are awesome."

I must agree. :)

Theresa Milstein said...

We really are hard on ourselves, aren't we? Just breathe! Remember to take your own advice. I know I have a healthier perspective when it comes to other writers.

Anonymous said...

I remind myself to breathe.

I always have self-imposed deadlines, and I give myself extensions. I also surround myself with positive people who cheer me on. I also find that being organized, having to-do lists, and making realistic goals also help. Being under too much pressure can have the opposite effect. The right amount of pressure spurs me on, though.

Ciara said...

Love this post. The pressures can be so intense. When we are unpublished we think once we are published that all the worries fade away. After we're published, we have to worry about reviews, ratings, PR, sales numbers, Amazon Ranking. Oh, sorry. *deep breath* It is so true. We just need to stop and breathe.

Farida said...

Thanks... I will breathe and continue to breathe especially when writing. Ms Lynda, how do you come up with things to write on your blog?

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

great answer :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

hehehe, maybe the kids will end up being inspiration ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I like your methods of recharging the batteries.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

lol, love that new philosophy you have ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

yes, absolutely. A little pressure is good. My writing is usually a thousand times better when I'm under a little pressure. I don't over think it that way.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

cough... great minds...cough
;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Take my own advice? Pfft! ;)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

gosh, good question. I usually write on topics I'm going through myself. I've just passed through a high pressure stage and wanted to share how I got through.