Authors are human beings, just like everyone else. They come from all walks of life, economic statuses, faith backgrounds, races, ethnicities and geographical locations. They’re affected by “the human condition,” which can sometimes include a personal crisis. If you’re an author whose current work in progress (WIP) is suffering because of personal problems, this post is for you.
When health issues, marital problems, financial crises or other personal matters impede the quality of your work, your WIP starts to suffer. On one hand, you might think it’s best to forge ahead and keep writing. While this might be helpful in some aspects, such as avoiding writer’s block, is it really a good idea to keep writing when you’re distracted, not focused and the quality is just not there?
Acknowledging your personal crisis helps to restore your ability to write
There’s a difference between overcoming and moving forward despite the curveballs life sometimes throws our way and living in denial. Not thinking about or acknowledging your personal crisis isn’t going to magically improve your writing skills. It’s always best to acknowledge a crisis; then, you can take steps toward a solution or, at least, toward healing. As an author, you can’t expect life to be perfect every time you sit down to write.
However, if a particular personal crisis is negatively affecting your ability to write, it might be best to face your troubles head-on rather than pretend they don’t exist. This might include speaking with your publishing team to let them know that your WIP has been delayed. In fact, an experienced editor might be able to provide some helpful suggestions.
Make necessary changes to accommodate your needs
While navigating a personal crisis, consider adapting your writing routine to allow time for self-care. For example, if you typically set a word-count goal each day, cut it in half for a few weeks. If you spend five hours writing every day, dial it back to three hours, instead, until you feel stronger and ready to be more productive. It’s imperative that you take time for self-care and nurturing, which promote emotional, mental and physical well-being.
Instead of lowering your expectations, you might be the type of person who needs more structure and routine during times of crisis. If that’s the case, then consider prioritizing your writing schedule and creating a list of attainable goals each day. Setting a strict schedule might be just what you need to push through and continue a WIP when a personal crisis hits.
Take time off if you need it
Consider taking a sabbatical from writing if you’re unable to deal with a personal crisis and continue your WIP. It’s better to step away and return to work when you’ve had time to rest and to deal with the personal issues that affect your work. On a positive note, there’s a certain amount of truth to the old saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” And, who knows? You might be able to draw from your experiences during a personal crisis to write a best-selling novel!