12 Reasons You’re Not Writing What You Want to Write

1. You don’t know what you really want to write about yet.

2. You have a lot going on, and just haven’t made the time for it lately.

3. Or, more accurately, your time management skills need some work. (You know who you are.)

4. You’re not sure spending time on the thing you REALLY want to work on will actually be worth it.

5. You’re mostly writing about what you know your friends/family would be interested in reading.

6. You’re sticking with what’s most popular, because it’s safer.

7. You know what’s going to — and what isn’t going to — make you the most money.

8. You haven’t broken into your “niche space” yet, or don’t know how to.

9. You’re convinced it’s not “unique” enough to matter.

10. Two words: Self. Doubt.

11. You know getting it “right” is going to take a lot of work, and that’s really, really overwhelming.

12. It’s “not the right time.” Later. Not yet.

Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a staff writer with The Cheat Sheet, a freelance editor and writer, and a 10-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.

Help Novelty Revisions become a more valuable resource for aspiring writers. Join us on Patreon.

Responses

jeffreybotah

Mar 10, 2018

I can really relate to reasons 9 and 10, to be honest I can relate to all of them but those two really stuck out.

Reply
1. Meg Dowell
  
  Mar 11, 2018
  
  There’s this small voice in our heads that likes to remind us how small and ‘average’ we are. It’s hard not to listen to it, and it does make writing that much harder when you don’t feel like it’s worth the effort. But I’ve found that the more I finish what I’m writing anyway, and push it out into the world, the more I’m reminded that voice is a mean mess of lies. It does take a lot out of you, to go against every urge you have not to continue. I get it. :(
  
  Reply
lynettedavis

Mar 10, 2018

Reblogged this on Memoir Notes.

Reply
Ellie P.

Mar 10, 2018

#2 & #3! Oh yeah! Arghh…

Reply
1. Meg Dowell
  
  Mar 11, 2018
  
  I know, I know. ;) I’m wrestling with it too. Might have to go on a Netflix hiatus for a few months haha … *sobbing*
  
  Reply
  1. Ellie P.
    
    Mar 11, 2018
    
    Poor you! 😬😬😂
  2. Meg Dowell
    
    Mar 12, 2018
    
    :) :) :)
Don Massenzio

Mar 11, 2018

Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from the Novelty Revisions blog with 12 reasons you’re not writing what you want to write

Reply
Anna Dobritt

Mar 11, 2018

Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.

Reply
claire plaisted

Mar 11, 2018

Reblogged this on Plaisted Publishing House and commented:
Reasons you may not be writing what you want.

Reply
Tom Gould

Mar 11, 2018

I suffer from horrendous self doubt despite having published an e-book 8 months ago. How can I overcome this?

Reply
1. Meg Dowell
  
  Mar 11, 2018
  
  First, see my comment to jeffreybotah above. I literally published it the second you left your comment, haha. I hope that helps. Second, check out this post: https://megdowell.com/2017/08/02/how-to-crush-self-doubt-and-do-all-the-things-that-scare-you/
  
  I hope that helps as well. Everyone has different reasons for doubting their ability to write and publish, but maybe something here will stand out to you personally.
  
  Reply