I don't think there's really too much that I can say to introduce the topic for today. There's obstacles everywhere we look and today Cia has written up an article that takes a look at some of the most common ones that plague authors. Not only does she name them, but she gives some great tips on how to overcome them. We'd also like to hear some of the obstacles you're faced with when writing and how you overcome them!

Any good writer knows it doesn’t come easy. From conception to publication—however far along that route you go—writing is definitely a labor. For many, it’s a labor of love, but it is still an endeavor that takes a lot of time and effort. We try to share a lot of information about writing and editing, to help authors on the site, but this week we’re looking at the act of writing instead of the result, as well as a few things that might trip an author up and how to get past them.

Tick, Tock… Beating That Clock!
Finding the time to write can be hard. Life doesn’t stop just because we get an idea, feel like writing, or face a looming deadline. Something has to give… be it the dishes, your lunch break, or sleep. For some, using voice recording software increases the time to write their rough drafts—getting it all out for editing when time isn’t at such a premium.

~Log your time expenses. Okay, yeah, it’s a bit of work and won’t get you writing immediately. But keep track of what you do each day and when. A lot of what we do is routine-based. Then eliminate.
Do you have to vacuum every day? Who says you need to open all the junk mail? Do you have to watch the news in the morning or evening? Why not set your phone or computer to get breaking news from a local station and get a weather app?

~Set a scheduled writing time. Hold that time sacred. Habits, once formed, are hard to break. Respect the time you set, and ask others to respect that time too. Beat distractions off with a spare keyboard, if necessary.

~Get up two hours earlier. You can sleep when you meet your deadline. Just remember to set that coffee pot!

My Space—No, Not the Pre-Facebook Website.
Growing up, did you do your homework in front of the TV? Does your boss let you read gay romance while you work? I bet not. Where you work is just as important as when you work. But not everyone is lucky enough to have an office for writing. So what can you do?

~Remove distractions. If you get up early to work while everyone is sleeping, make sure you leave the TV off. Don’t check your email; don’t read the news. Open your writing program/app only.

~Reduce distractions if you can’t eliminate them. Create a visual barrier—a sheet or a cardboard divider set up on the table. Wear earplugs or headphones.

~Find an alternate location. Maybe you work best in a café or library.

Beating Your Block
We’ve all been there—that moment when inspiration dries up and writing becomes akin to beating our heads against a brick wall. It can be overcome. But first you have to figure out why you’re blocked. Is it a time or location issue disrupting the flow of writing? Did you write yourself into a corner? Do you just not feel the story anymore?

~Don’t re-read your work. There’s a time and a place for criticism for your chapter or story. That’s called the editing phase. Just write! Worry about creating a polished piece once you get it down.

~Set deadlines—and keep them. A lot of people work better when motivated by a goal. A chapter a week, 5,000 words every five days, a novel in three months… whatever works for you. Then take a break! When you meet your goals, give yourself time off. You’ve earned it.

~Beat the creative block by sharing your stumbles. Talk to a friend, a fellow author, a dedicated reader… and be honest. Sometimes getting it out can reduce the stress enough to let you take a step back.

~Work on more than one project. Sometimes changing gears can get you back in motion. Try some flash pieces or prompts if you’re in the midst of a novel. Switch up genres and styles. Stretch and expand beyond whatever has halted you in your tracks.

We all face obstacles. The only way past them is to just keep trying. Have you faced writer’s block before? What happened, and how did you beat it?