How I Keep Going When My Novel Writing Hits A Wall

Writing a novel is hard. It’s fun and exciting, but it can also be frustrating, tedious, and downright painful at times. You might find yourself stuck in the middle of your book with no idea how to move forward. 

Or maybe you’ve got a brilliant idea for a whole new plot line that would add so much more depth to your story but it will mean starting over from scratch! 

These are just some of the common problems that every writer faces on their journey through writing their first novel. In this blog post, we’ll look at some ways you can push through these obstacles and keep going with your project:

• Be brave.
• Don’t be afraid to write what you want to write.
• Don’t be afraid to write what you don’t know.
• Don’t be afraid to write what you think is boring.

And don’t be afraid to write what you think is too personal for the public eye, either! When I started, I thought I was writing something incredibly unique and special and maybe I was.

But the fact remains that this isn’t a story that anyone else could tell as well as me (I still believe this). 

So no matter how silly or weird or unmarketable your idea may seem, go ahead and commit it down on paper or into your computer file and let yourself explore every possible path of its execution until the very end (even if only one person ever sees it).

Takeaways
1. Embrace challenges as part of the writing journey.
2. Take breaks to recharge your creative energy.
3. Seek inspiration from other creative outlets.
4. Reflect on your reasons for writing to stay motivated.
5. Experiment with different writing techniques to overcome obstacles.
6. Connect with a supportive writing community for encouragement.
7. Remember that persistence and determination are key to success.

Write The Scenes That Scare You

We all have those scenes, right? The ones that make us say, “Yikes! I don’t know if I can do this!” 

They might be the first scene in our novel or they might be near the end but no matter where they are or how far along we are in our story, we must write them if we want our novel to reach its full potential.

And here’s why:

Writing these difficult scenes will help make your story stronger (and therefore more enjoyable for readers).

Writing these difficult scenes will teach you valuable lessons about writing and yourself as an author.

Writing these difficult scenes means growing as a writer and building confidence in your abilities as a storyteller overall.”

Building a strong foundation as an aspiring writer is crucial. Check out our Top 10 Tips for the Aspiring Novel Writer to gain insights into the best practices for honing your craft and overcoming obstacles.

Don’t Wait For Inspiration To Hit; Write When You Feel Like It

I have been working on this novel for about a year, and I’ve learned a lot about what works for me. I’ve found that sometimes being inspired is not enough to get me moving forward. It’s better to write when you feel like it, even if you don’t feel like it at all.

I try to write something each day. Sometimes I feel inspired and want to work on my story; other times, I’m tired and just want to watch TV or play video games instead of writing. 

But those are the days when getting into the zone becomes critical when I have no choice but to do the work because there’s nothing else left in my life but writing this book!

Write Hard

When I write, I often feel like a fraud. But this feeling comes in waves, and at its worst when I am tempted to stop writing altogether it affects how I think about my work. 

One day, it will be brilliant; the next day… not so much. So every morning when I sit down at my desk to write, it’s a bit of an ordeal: 

Do I have anything worthwhile here? Shouldn’t I just give up? How can something that seems so trite and amateurish possibly be worth sharing with anyone else?

That kind of self-doubt is enough to paralyze even the most prolific writer into inaction but if you ignore those doubts and keep hammering away at your keyboard anyway (or pen), then eventually they start to fade away into background noise. 

When that happens, all you can hear is your voice telling the story as best as you know how and isn’t that where we want our writing voice to come from?

Keeping the flame of inspiration alive is essential for every writer. Discover strategies to maintain your creative fire in our guide on How to Stay Inspired as a Writer, and reignite your passion for storytelling.

Just Get On With It

Stop thinking about what’s wrong with what you’re writing, and just get on with it. It’s the only way forward.

I have written whole chapters that were terrible, and that I hated as I wrote them (and even more so after). 

But I’ve never regretted moving on from them to write something better because trying to fix a really bad chapter will suck up all your time and leave no room for anything else in your manuscript. 

The best thing is to just forge ahead regardless of the quality of what you’re producing, and let everything sort itself out later on when you come back to edit it again at a later stage.

Get Off Social Media

I know this is easier said than done, but if you’re writing regularly and enjoying it, then chances are you’ll want to share that with your friends and family on social media. But here’s the thing sharing your writing publicly can be incredibly distracting. 

You may find yourself caught up in debates about whether or not there should be a sequel to something someone’s written (which happens all too often), or if another writer has gotten more praise than they deserve (which also happens frequently). 

And while these things can be fun and interesting topics at the time, they aren’t going to help your current work-in-progress come together any faster!

Find Inspiration In Other Places

If getting away from social media isn’t possible for whatever reason, try using it as inspiration instead of letting it distract you from what needs doing! 

I love reading other people’s posts about their current projects because it helps me stay motivated and reminds me why I’m working so hard on mine.

Learning from experience is invaluable on the journey of novel writing. Explore the wisdom gained in our article, 10 Things I’ve Learned About Novel Writing, and apply these insights to conquer challenges in your own writing process.

Stare Out The Window And Wait To Feel Inspired

I know, I know. You’re at a loss. You stare at your computer screen and see only a blank page. You’ve been staring for hours but still, no words have come to you. This can be frustrating because it feels like there should be an inspiration, but sometimes the ideas just don’t come.

To help with this problem, try looking out of your window instead! It sounds silly, but often when I’m stuck while writing something I’ll find myself staring out of my office window towards the fields behind our house (which is where we keep some cows). 

It’s quiet out there and peaceful – so much so that after watching them graze aimlessly for a few minutes I’ll feel inspired by nature itself! If that doesn’t work for you then try looking at anything else around your house: 

Could be something as simple as an old family photo or trinket on display somewhere in your room anything really will do as long as it catches your attention enough for you to stop worrying about what needs writing next for those words to flow freely through each sentence onto paper without hesitation or trouble from writer’s block.

Remember Why You Are Writing Your Novel In The First Place And What Made You Want To Become A Novelist

When I am feeling down, I try to remember why I started writing my novel in the first place. This helps me remember that I am not alone and that there are people out there who are going through the same struggles as me.

For example: when I was an intern at a newspaper, one of my colleagues asked me what made me want to become a novelist. 

The question caught me off guard and made me feel embarrassed because it was something that had never crossed my mind before (I guess because it seems like such an unrealistic goal). 

But then I realized that this person thought it seemed cool and interesting, so maybe there’s something about being a writer which people could find appealing. 

That realization made me realize how important it is for us writers to have people around us who understand us and support us in our endeavors; without them, we might feel lost and alone in our pursuit of being published authors!

The most important thing though is not just remembering why we’re doing this but also reminding ourselves what makes us human beings: our own families who love us no matter what path we choose; 

Friends who will always be there for those tough times where things don’t seem so rosy anymore; even just little things like pets can provide comfort during difficult times when everything else seems bleak!

Laughter can be a remedy, even in the world of writing. Uncover the humorous side of the novelist’s journey in our piece, The 13 Hilarious Mistakes Novelists Make, and find solace in the shared experiences of fellow wordsmiths.

Watch Some Netflix, If You Want To Watch Some Netflix. Sometimes, You Just Need To Take A Break

Watching some Netflix is a great way to relax and unwind. You can watch a movie, or you can watch an entire series of TV shows on your screen. It doesn’t matter what genre you choose you can even mix it up if you want!

What’s more, watching movies and television shows can help inspire your writing. You may find yourself thinking about how certain scenes in these productions would translate into words on paper for your own story. 

Or perhaps it will trigger new ideas for conflict or character development that aren’t currently present in the plot of your novel but could be added later on through revisions or edits after publication (if necessary).

Keep In Mind That Writing Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint

I’ve heard this advice many times before, but I never really understood it until I started writing my first book. Writing is a long process and can be so much more painful than it should be. 

There will be days when you feel like you’re getting nowhere with your novel and there may even be weeks where you don’t seem to make any progress at all. 

Although this might seem discouraging at first, remember that the most important thing to focus on during these tough times is just keeping your head down and putting one word after another (even if those words are “I hate my life”). 

There will always be ups and downs as you’re writing your novel; however, as long as you stay positive and keep working hard every single day, eventually everything will fall into place!

Embarking on a novel-writing adventure requires guidance and direction. Delve into our compilation of 17 Tips for Anyone Wanting to Write a Novel, and equip yourself with practical strategies to overcome hurdles and reach your literary goals.

Conclusion

No one said it would be easy, but the truth is that we all have to find our way. Even the most successful writers have days when they feel like quitting. I know this because I’ve been there myself and still am from time to time. 

But keep going! You can do it if you just keep going, even if it’s one word at a time or one sentence at a time.

Further Reading

Expand your knowledge and find more insights on overcoming writer’s block and pushing through creative challenges:

Navigating Through Writer’s Black Hole: Discover personal experiences and strategies for navigating through creative roadblocks and emerging stronger as a writer.

Creative Solutions for Novel Writing Walls: Explore creative approaches to overcoming obstacles in your novel writing journey and finding renewed inspiration.

Breaking Through the Writing Wall: Learn effective techniques to break down the walls of writer’s block and continue your writing journey with confidence.

FAQs

Have questions about overcoming challenges in your novel writing process? Here are some common queries and answers to guide you:

How can I overcome writer’s block effectively?

Writer’s block can be frustrating, but trying different techniques like freewriting, changing your writing environment, or taking a break can help spark your creativity and overcome the block.

What should I do when I feel stuck in my novel’s plot?

When your novel’s plot feels stagnant, try brainstorming new directions, revisiting your characters’ motivations, or introducing unexpected twists to inject new life into your story.

How do I stay motivated when my novel hits a rough patch?

Staying motivated during challenging times in your writing journey requires setting achievable goals, celebrating small victories, and reminding yourself of the reasons you started writing in the first place.

Are there any unconventional methods to overcome creative hurdles?

Absolutely! Exploring different creative mediums, seeking inspiration from art or music, or collaborating with other writers can provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to your writing challenges.

How can I maintain a consistent writing routine despite obstacles?

Creating a structured writing schedule, setting realistic goals, and holding yourself accountable through writing groups or online platforms can help you maintain consistency and overcome obstacles in your writing routine.