How to Cope with Writer's Stress
If you are a writer who depends solely on your writing income to pay the bills, you have probably experienced writer's stress. While stress is always damaging, there are special problems that come with stress for people who rely on their creativity for a living.
As a writer, you are your own boss, which is wonderful. But, you are responsible for both getting the jobs you need to pay your bills and telling yourself when it's time to quit. If you aren't careful the stress of having to perform on deadlines and pay bills can become all-consuming. The frustration of it all can dominate all your thoughts so that you have difficulty either writing or resting. The inevitable result of this is writer's block. Or, worse, writer's freeze, where you feel completely immobilized by all of your anxieties and your need to produce.
Writers are faced with isolation, criticism, fear of criticism, rejection, fear of rejection along with all the other trials and tribulations of modern life. If you have a family who is unsupportive or disrespectful of the fact that you are a self employed writer working from home, then you have another layer of stress that can become an agonizing burden at the time when you most need support.
Some days you just want to quit, but it isn't an option. For many freelance writers, earning a living from home through self employment is their only option. In fact, it's their last chance in a difficult economy.
It's like being stuck right in the middle of a dark tunnel. Going back is not an option and you're not sure where the light at the end of the tunnel is, but you have to keep running forward, trying to reach it.
How to Cope
If you are dealing with publishers and receiving a battery of rejection letters, remember that it is all part of the process. Remember that it is all part of the process. Re-evaluate how you are doing what you're doing and see if there is something you're missing. See what you can do better.
If you are a freelance writer dealing with difficult clients, remind yourself that it may not be personal. If you are dealing with a client who is too difficult or who isn't paying you like they should, remember there are more fish in the sea.
If you are completely stuck on your writing there are different things you can try. If it is fictional piece, your strategy might be different. For instance, you might get things rolling again by doing research. You might want to follow that research by a total break and distraction from your writing while you allow your research to be properly digested. After this process, you may be able to complete your project.
If you are working on a non-fiction project or a copywriting project a similar strategy may work.
If you just can't get started, try outlining your project first. Even if you're having writing a short article or a piece of sales copy, this may work.
Another technique is to write something else first. Sometimes the pump has to be primed - in this way writing anything becomes an exercise in writing itself.
At other times, some problem or issue may be plaguing your mind. In this case, you may have to purge these ideas on paper before you can get to your real work without putting forth a monumental forced effort.
Sometimes this state of affairs can be alleviated by adequate sleep. Even a nap can be beneficial.
What to Avoid
- Avoid people, especially negative people.
Avoid the telephone. Don't even answer it unless it's a business call.
Stay out of mindless online forums and chat rooms.
Turn off the television and keep it off. It is designed to keep you emotionally stirred up and distracted.
Don't read the newspaper. Avoid the news.
Accept the Fact that Life is Full of Stress
Life is stressful. Everybody's life is stressful. When you work from home as a freelance writer, you are probably under less stress than most people who are forced to work to stay alive. Some days are going to be better than others. There is light at the end of the tunnel, it's only a matter of time before you get there.
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