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The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 13 Aug 2017, 00:33
by Nwoko Solomon Ikechu
Authoring a book or books is not a day job. There are so many challenges and difficulties authors face. In your personal view, what are the major challenges or difficulties that authors face? Do you have any suggestions on how to handle them?

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 18 Aug 2017, 16:11
by Angela Stripes
Well, just a thought: a lot of writers and authors are artists at heart. Artists usually have trouble feeling confined by structure, which is an awesome support for completing a large project, such as writing a book. See the dilemma?

I've never been more productive than when I've had a deadline. The only time I've ever finished a rough draft of a book was in 7th grade, when I made a New Year's Resolution to finish it. Sure I was cramming at the last second (finished the goal the day before the New year) but I got it done.

I also took a few creative writing classes, and finished a total of 5 short stories and 3 poems in 2 semesters. That felt insane, but I paid for the courses and had someone to read my work, and it provided the necessary motivation. I don't love what I wrote in that particular time period, but its something that gives me confidence in an accomplishment.

So.. just a thought. There are no doubt many more challenges out there, but I think that's a big one for me personally.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 18 Aug 2017, 22:14
by Nwoko Solomon Ikechu
Thank you so much for your contribution and sharing your personal experience in writing. Authors also face the challenge of "Writer's Block", that is, the inability to think of what to write, how to go about what to write or to complete a work in progress, as you have rightly pointed out. When ever I'm faced with this challenge, I usually take a moment off to refresh my mind. I will drink cool water or nonalcoholic drink, take my bath and lie down even if sleep refuses to come. I will try not to think anything but to just relax my mind. I always gets up with refreshed mind, new and great ideas of what to write or what to add to my ongoing write up. I think this helps a lot to solve the challenge of writer's block that authors face often.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 18 Aug 2017, 23:34
by Angela Stripes
That's awesome, I'm glad you've found something that works for your writer's block. Sometimes the opposite helps me, getting up to do a chore or take a walk outside. Those things inspire me. But I will try your method, too, and see what comes of it. Thank you for sharing!

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 19 Aug 2017, 18:15
by KS Crooks
Time is a common obstacle, as most of us have a full-time job and a family occupying most of our time. This is a reason why so many writers emerge when they are retired- more free time to think, create and write. I like to write while on the subway on the way to work. This gives me 45-60 minutes to delve into my world with no distractions. Occasionally I will also write before going to bed instead of my customary reading.
A second common concern is having someone read your work. As with any type of art form, it's something you pour your heart into with the hope of others enjoying what you've created. There's usually some fear that people will be harsh with their feedback or simply not enjoy the story. Choosing the correct people to share your early work with is key, as well being open to suggestions and seeing things from different perspectives.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 19 Aug 2017, 19:36
by Nwoko Solomon Ikechu
Thanks KS for this wonderful contribution. I have always say that a good editor is not someone who will conceal what you have written and say, "start again" or "this is a trash". But is one who will conceal what you have wrongly written and suggest what you should have written. We should be confident on our ability to come up with a good book, this is the best way to fight against fear of being laughed at or mocked. In the issue of time as you have rightly pointed out, a writer should travel with pen and paper anywhere he/she will send at least 30 minutes. Ones again thank you for this wonderful contribution.

-- 19 Aug 2017, 19:41 --

You are most welcome Angela. Go ahead and try it, it helps and works a lot.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 21 Sep 2017, 05:55
by Ashley Simon
I try to give myself deadlines. Whether that means taking a class, writing for a client, committing to a project with a writing partner.... Anything that keeps me from being the only one who is counting on my words. I used to shy away from this - worried that having a cold deadline would interfere with my creativity - but I've found just the opposite to be true. In fact, when I am working toward a deadline, I become a lot more productive on other small projects I do for fun. That's what works for me!

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 21 Sep 2017, 23:39
by Angela Stripes
Ashley Simon wrote:I try to give myself deadlines. Whether that means taking a class, writing for a client, committing to a project with a writing partner.... Anything that keeps me from being the only one who is counting on my words. I used to shy away from this - worried that having a cold deadline would interfere with my creativity - but I've found just the opposite to be true. In fact, when I am working toward a deadline, I become a lot more productive on other small projects I do for fun. That's what works for me!
How do you find clients? Just curious, as a writer trying to make a go of it. I found taking a class increased my productivity as well!

-- 21 Sep 2017, 21:40 --

Or, I suppose I should ask what kind of writing your clients are in need of.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 22 Sep 2017, 04:28
by Ashley Simon
Angela Stripes wrote:
Ashley Simon wrote:I try to give myself deadlines. Whether that means taking a class, writing for a client, committing to a project with a writing partner.... Anything that keeps me from being the only one who is counting on my words. I used to shy away from this - worried that having a cold deadline would interfere with my creativity - but I've found just the opposite to be true. In fact, when I am working toward a deadline, I become a lot more productive on other small projects I do for fun. That's what works for me!
How do you find clients? Just curious, as a writer trying to make a go of it. I found taking a class increased my productivity as well!

-- 21 Sep 2017, 21:40 --

Or, I suppose I should ask what kind of writing your clients are in need of.
Angela,
I worked on staff at a nonprofit for about a year and gained some valuable experience as a grant writer. Since then, I quit my job to pursue freelance work, and my clients are primarily small nonprofits looking to grow their capacity. It's a very specific type of writing, but I love it!

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 22 Sep 2017, 10:31
by Orang-U-Can
Nwoko Solomon Ikechu wrote:Authoring a book or books is not a day job. There are so many challenges and difficulties authors face. In your personal view, what are the major challenges or difficulties that authors face? Do you have any suggestions on how to handle them?
The challenge is not writing but editing and that requires financial input.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 30 Sep 2017, 11:43
by BoyLazy
I would like to know more on this as well..

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 03 Oct 2017, 15:00
by Angela Stripes
Ashley Simon wrote: Angela,
I worked on staff at a nonprofit for about a year and gained some valuable experience as a grant writer. Since then, I quit my job to pursue freelance work, and my clients are primarily small nonprofits looking to grow their capacity. It's a very specific type of writing, but I love it!
Wow, cool. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 05 Oct 2017, 03:10
by Gifty Naa Akushia
The major challenges for authors I think are time to write and honest people to proofread or review the book.

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 07 Oct 2017, 02:39
by charles juma otieno
Nwoko Solomon Ikechu wrote:Authoring a book or books is not a day job. There are so many challenges and difficulties authors face. In your personal view, what are the major challenges or difficulties that authors face? Do you have any suggestions on how to handle them?

Re: The major challenges or difficulties authors face

Posted: 26 Oct 2017, 14:28
by Brandi Noelle
I think the most difficult challenge any writer faces is self. Self-doubt, self-consciousness, self-insecurities. I have struggled with this time and time again and the only thing that results is an insufferable case of writer's block. That, of course, becomes the proof I needed to justify my negative feelings as truth.

The best advice I ever read in dealing with this came from Ernest Hemingway. He once said, "I always stopped [writing] when I knew what was going to happen next. That way I could be sure of going on the next day." Now, I follow his practice of stopping mid-scene. It helps to keep the flow going when you sit back down later, and then you have a feeling of success instead of obsessing over a scene that is not coming together or is forced.

Hemingway was a plethora of wisdom when it came to writing. He also had the great idea to "write drunk; edit sober." Not to say, writing DRUNK is the best idea, but a glass of wine can lower the inhibitions and sobriety can help separate the writing gems from the flops.