I read a Facebook post that made me and a lot of other writers think. Last I saw, the post had close to 300 comments!
It was about someone the author knew who wanted to hire a ghostwriter to write his memoir. She advised him to write it himself, then hire someone to edit/rewrite it. She saw him a year later, and he had only written a chapter or two.
He couldn’t understand how writers do it.
So, let’s go over why and how writers keep writing to get the job done.
WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A WRITER?
Many people like the idea of being a writer. They imagine quiet mornings, sitting at a desk and gazing out a window at a scenic setting, bursts of muse-inspired creativity, and the satisfaction of seeing their name on a book cover or byline.
But that’s not the reality. Being a writer is far more demanding and, at times, frustrating.
Writing isn’t just about talent or creativity. It’s about resolve, determination, focus, patience, perseverance, and something that’s often overlooked: self-care. These are the qualities that separate writers who want to write from writers who actually do.
Let’s take a closer look at what it really takes.
- Resolve.
Resolve is the firm decision to pursue writing even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or discouraging. You know you’re in it for the long haul. Instead of saying, “I want to be a writer,” you say, “I am a writer.”
Every writer faces moments of doubt. There are unfinished drafts, writer’s block, rejections, negative feedback, or long stretches of silence. Without resolve, those moments become stopping points. With resolve, they become part of the process.
For example, a new children’s writer may submit a manuscript to multiple publishers and receive nothing but form rejections, or nothing at all. A writer with resolve doesn’t quit. Instead, they reassess, revise, and submit again, knowing rejection is not a verdict; it’s feedback.
Every writer also faces the ups and downs of life—good days, bad days, sickness, sadness, and so on.
Resolve is your anchor. It keeps you in your seat, typing or writing, even when enthusiasm fades or things get challenging. It’s the will not to give up.
- Determination.
Determination is showing up even when you don’t feel like it. It gets you to the keyboard when motivation is nowhere to be found. Writing is work, and like any profession, it requires consistency.
Many aspiring writers wait for inspiration. Professional writers create a writing routine. They understand that progress comes from regular effort, not occasional bursts of creativity.
Consider a writer juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities. They may only have thirty minutes a day to write. Determination means using that time instead of scrolling social media or putting it off until tomorrow.
Small, determined efforts add up. A few hundred words a day can become a finished manuscript faster than you think.
- Focus
Focus protects your writing time and energy. It’s one of the most underestimated skills a writer needs. Distractions are everywhere. There are children, household chores, email, social media, and self-doubt. Without focus, writing time gets eaten away.
Being focused means setting boundaries. It might mean turning off notifications, closing unnecessary tabs, or letting others know you’re unavailable for a short period. It also means mental focus—staying with your project rather than constantly jumping to new ideas when the current one feels challenging.
A focused writer finishes drafts. An unfocused writer starts multiple drafts, but rarely completes any.
Focus doesn’t require perfection. It requires intention.
- Patience.
You have to understand and accept that writing takes time. Patience is essential because writing success rarely happens quickly. Learning the skills, publishing opportunities, and audience growth take time, often years.
Many writers become discouraged when their first book doesn’t sell or their blog doesn’t gain immediate traction. But writing is a cumulative effort. Each piece you write improves your skills, clarifies your voice, and builds credibility.
Think of patience as trust in the process. Every revision, every submission, every lesson learned moves you forward, even when results aren’t visible yet.
Writing isn’t a sprint. It’s a long-distance journey.
- Perseverance.
Perseverance is continuing despite setbacks. It’s patience in action. It’s continuing to write through rejection, criticism, slow progress, or self-doubt.
Every successful writer has faced setbacks and challenges. The difference is that those who create a writing career or finish their manuscript don’t let those setbacks decide their future. They learned, adapted, and kept going.
For example, a writer may receive feedback that their manuscript isn’t
ready. A persevering writer doesn’t see that as failure. They see it as an opportunity to strengthen their work. They keep learning the craft, revise, and seek professional help if needed.
Perseverance is the quiet, steady force that carries writers through the hardest moments.
- Self-care.
The business of writing can be challenging and demanding; it’s essential to protect the writer behind the words.
Self-care for writers isn’t an indulgence or optional; it’s essential. Writing requires mental energy, emotional resilience, and ongoing concentration.
When writers push themselves without rest, they risk burnout, creative blocks, and growing resentment toward the very work they love. Self-care means recognizing that your ability to write well depends on your overall well-being.
Practically speaking, self-care can be simple:
-Take breaks during long writing sessions by stopping every half-hour to walk for 5 minutes.
-Get enough sleep (if possible; I have a problem with this).
-Pause and step away when frustration builds, or you feel overwhelmed.
-Allow yourself time to read for pleasure instead of productivity.
-Create a writing schedule. Don’t work 10-hour days, 7 days a week. This example is exaggerated, but you get the gist. Writing is a job; set your hours.
Self-care also means managing expectations, understanding that you don’t have to produce constantly to be a ‘real’ writer, and knowing when to pause. By caring for your mind and body, you protect your creativity and focus, and ensure you can keep writing long term.
SUMMING IT UP
Being a writer isn’t about waiting for a surge of creativity or perfect conditions. It’s about showing up consistently, learning continuously, and believing in your work enough to keep going.
Resolve keeps you committed. Determination keeps you working. Focus keeps you productive. Patience keeps you grounded. Perseverance keeps you moving forward. And self-care helps you to keep going.
If you’re willing to cultivate these qualities, you already have what it takes to be a writer. Success will follow in time.
Writing is about knowing what needs to be done and doing it. Writers aren’t born; they’re built one word, one page at a time.
Turn Your Idea Into a Children’s Story
Children’s Writing: Get to Know Your Characters
Republishing Your Previously Published Children’s Book
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
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WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
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You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
