5 Writing Obstacles (& How To Overcome Them)
I love to write一always have. Sitting down with a blank page, scattered notes, and an idea I’ve been stewing on brings me life.
In the last few years, I’ve realized I also love helping others write一especially pastors, theologians, and nonprofit leaders. In 2022, I edited two books, a seminary dissertation, and wrote curriculum and marketing copy for organizations like TGC, Dwell Bible App, and The Chosen.
For every writing project I’ve helped edit or launch, there’s ten more that never get off the ground. Some of my friends have mountains of material just sitting there in Google drive, collecting digital dust. Unshaped, unseen, unknown.
Other friends I know are excellent communicators, educated, and full of wisdom, and yet, writing is always pushed to the back burner.
Sometimes that’s ok, when our energies are well-spent pastoring people, preparing sermons, leading a company, or loving our families. As Keller (who was initially a reluctant author) wisely advises:
Writing a whole book takes an enormous amount of energy and time, especially the first one(s). But as a younger man you aren’t being fair to your family or your church if you are giving the book the time it warrants. And you aren’t being fair to the reading public if you don’t.
There are seasons when writing distracts from other commitments that demand all of you, or you might wait years until you’ve learned some stuff before launching your words into the public sphere. Duly noted.
This post is about something different. I want to talk to those who feel ready to write, like they want to write, who suspect they have something significant to say—maybe not to millions, but to the people in their church, family, organization, company, etc.
The desire to write is there, but the habit isn’t.
I want to explore what keeps you from writing, and how you make writing a regular part of your weekly routine.
I want to explore what keeps you from writing, and how to make writing a regular part of your weekly routine.
I want your ideas—hard-earned by hours of reading, life experience, studying God’s Word, coffees with mentors, and all those learn-through-failure lessons that have shaped you—to live on paper. To have a home. A place where others can, at any time, listen to your story.
But what gets in the way? Let’s explore that.
#1: Lack of time
The infamous “lack of time” is a great place to begin. In American life, we flex our busy schedules, proud to be whizzing around like a meteor of efficiency. A “packed schedule” in the modern world is half excuse (I’m maxed out), half badge of honor (I’m important), but much of the time, it’s a myth.
Don't have time to write? Ask yourself why.
There may be a legitimate reason: you just had twins, or you’re caring 24/7 for a declining parent. Some seasons sap us creatively.
We all have the same amount of hours in a day.
But general busyness is a poor excuse. Many authors balance a massive workload outside of their writing. Here’s the inescapable truth: we all have the same amount of hours in a day. Those who write replace “I don’t have time” with “I will make time.”
A few examples off the top of my head:
Rosaria Butterfield wakes up to write at 4am.
Kevin DeYoung has nine children (last time I checked), is a full-time pastor, podcaster, professor, and conference speaker… and he writes all the time.
A pastor friend in Washington whose church is several thousand strong, who has four kids, writes 10k words a week.
When my friend Brett wrote his last book, he retreated to a coffee shop on Saturdays, and chipped away at his manuscript for a few hours.
Yes, our capacities are different, but if you really want to write, make time to do it!
Sound too simplistic? It’s not. Wake up earlier. Drop something less important. Schedule it.
#2: Lack of clarity or direction
Two challenges here.
First, maybe you’re not sure what to write about. The creative well feels dry. More on this in a few.
Second, your creative well is overflowing—you have too many ideas and it’s paralyzing.
Editor David Sluka gives a helpful diagnostic for narrowing a book topic. I think this works well for smaller projects, like blogs, articles, and ebooks, too. Ask the following questions:
What are you passionate about?
What are you frustrated at? What gets your blood boiling? Write about that.
When you get together with friends, what do you find yourself talking about? Just ask a good friend, or your spouse, who has to listen to your repeated rants about a topic.
As you study the scriptures, what are the messages the continue to grab your attention? Thematic threads that God has woven through your faith journey?
(Will’s addition) For pastors: what teaching series or sermon are you most proud of? Most impacted your life or your church? Start there.
Another exercise David recommends: If you were asked to talk for 15-20 minutes on any topic, what would you want to share? Sit down for 15 minutes and make a list of all the possibilities.
You might be surprised by how many ideas start flowing! Pick your favorites.
#3 - Lack of accountability
The stereotype is that authors are solitary creatures, holed up in an office or den, feverishly hammering away on a keyboard. But like any profession, the best writing happens through collaboration, which usually means working with an editor or focus group.
Don’t write in isolation.
That might sound so professional—it doesn’t have to be. An “editor” can be a coworker, friend, really anyone who you trust to speak into your work. A “focus group” can be a group of friends. Just make sure to include people of different ages, backgrounds, and perspectives so your feedback is robust, not lopsided.
One more thing…
It’s time to meet your best friend who moonlights as your worst enemy: deadlines. Alas, without healthy pressure, words never make it onto the page. Don’t let your idea die because you haven’t created a schedule. Ask someone to keep you accountable.
For me, I created this website as built-in accountability. Sometimes we simply need somewhere for our words to go, so we can share more often, without the pressure of publishing on larger platforms.
#4 - Lack of confidence
We all need encouragement, which is the part of editing I most enjoy. It’s easy to psych yourself out, or unfairly criticize the work of your own fingertips. The inner cynic snarls: Do you actually think anyone cares what you have to say?
I’m constantly pitching ideas to my wife, and even though she’s receptive and my biggest fan, it still feels vulnerable, and even silly, to verbalize something that’s half-formed. But when I take that risk, and find an idea sparks excitement or curiosity in another, it’s thrilling. Words start gushing.
Who speaks into your writing?
Who speaks into your writing, to make it better? Who fist bumps you when a phrase or sentence you wrote is beautifully crafted?
Find those people.
#5 - Lack of Budget
This one’s for those wanting to self-publish—perhaps to write something for their church, organization, or to put that storyline that’s always captured their imagination into a novel.
There’s no way around it: producing a good book takes money (for a good editor, design/formatting, and printing).
I’ve seen several books come to life for authors, thanks to a budget line item devoted to that purpose, at their respective church, organization, or network. It’s beautiful when that happens.
A good editor is worth the money.
But most of the time, you have to ask. Cast vision. Humbly but boldly put yourself out there. Explain how it benefits your people or furthers your mission.
Pastors: If you’re a pastor, see if your elders, board, or congregation will sponsor your book. Muster the courage to have a conversation. This isn’t about building your platform (check your heart on that, naturally)—it’s about resourcing people. You’ve given your life to whatever you do: surely you have things you want to say.
Leaders: If you lead a company or organization, the same principle applies. You’re probably writing to inspire people about the good work your people are doing, or to distill some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. There’s a good chance those you lead will get behind a writing project.
Is writing really worth it?
That’s a question only you can answer. No doubt you can produce a thousand reasons why you should put off writing, or why your project will flop, or [fill in the blank].
But for those who still have the spark inside—that insatiable itch to put words on paper—stoke the flame.
Mediocrity will plague a lot of your paragraphs. Push through it. Put your writing in the hands of better writers. Listen to them; be humble; keep writing.
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Note from Will: If I can help encourage you in your writing craft, as a fellow learner and writing enthusiast, please reach out. I’d love to have a conversation.
