5 Reasons Authors Fail

5 Reasons Authors Fail; Merely just the thought of writing a book is a gargantuan task, a dream for many, and a reality for only the very few.

Conversely and in spite of the growing popularity of self-publishing,(such as Amazon KDP), and the accessibility of ease-of-use tools designed to make writing easier… 

Many aspiring authors hesitate when it comes to writing their first book. 

Ultimately, the reasons for justification are complex and multifaceted, encompassing both personal, media and societal influences. 

All in all, I’ll explore five key reasons why people hesitate to write their first book, exploring issues such as fear of failure, perfectionism….

….through to lack of time, imposter syndrome, and the seemingly overwhelming nature of the task.

1. Fear of Failure

Unsurprisingly, one of the most significant reasons people hesitate to write their first book is the overwhelming paralyzing fear of failure. 

For many, the dream of writing a book is a deeply personal and emotional aspiration. 

However, their perceived fear,(and it is perceived), that their book won’t meet expectations—whether personal or external—can be daunting. 

This fear manifests in all manner of ways, including the fear of criticism, rejection, and disappointing oneself.

Fear establishes itself as the predominant reason and forms 5 reasons why authors fail.

5 Reasons Authors Fail;The Graveyard of Dreams Are Killed More Through Fear Than Procrastination 

Aspiring authors dream of writing a book, they often have high hopes for its reception. 

Consequently, within their own psyche, the book might be a masterpiece, something that will resonate with readers, win awards, or even become a bestseller. 

However, the shattering reality of the book industry is that not every book is successful.

Writing leaves the writer very vulnerable; once the words are on paper and shared with the world, they are subject to scrutiny. 

Basically, the idea of emptying one’s heart and soul into a project only to have it criticized or ignored can be emotionally crippling & quite demoralizing.

Fear Is A Conquerable Demon

Additionally, fear of failure also extends to the fear of not being “good enough” as a writer. 

Aspiring authors may irrationally compare themselves to seasoned writers or established authors, convincing themselves that their work will never measure up to their idols. 

This personified self-doubt can prevent many from even starting. 

They may very well doubt themselves as, “Who am I to write a book?” or “What if no one likes it?” 

Unsurprisingly, the harsh inner critic can be so much louder than amplifying and suppressing any external voice of encouragement.

5 Reasons Authors Fail; Whether A Man Believes He Can Or Can’t, He Is Right- Henry Ford

The key to overcoming this fear lies in embracing the idea that failure is not the end, but a part of the creative process. 

Furthermore, it isn’t uncommon for successful writers to have faced rejection or failure at some point. 

For example, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter manuscript was rejected by numerous publishers before it found a home. 

Therefore, the fear of failure can be diminished by recognizing that every writer, ,(much like jobbing actors), no matter how successful, has faced setbacks along the way.

2. Perfectionism

Incidentally, tying hand-in-hand linked to the fear of failure is perfectionism, another powerful driving force that stops people from writing their first book. 

Perfectionism creates unrealistic expectations that can sabotage the writing process before it even begins. 

Aspiring authors often believe that their writing must be flawless from the very first draft, little realizing that it is a ‘progressive developmental journey’.

Writing Perfectionism Is A Myth

Perceived writing perfectionism shows up in a variety of ways;

From crafting the perfect opening sentence, structuring the plot immaculately from the outset….

or ensuring that every word, sentence, and paragraph is word-perfect before moving forward. 

Ultimately, this mindset can literally trap a writer in a never-ending cycle of editing and rewriting.

Albeit, making it almost impossible to progress beyond the initial stages of their book. 

As a result, many potential authors abandon their projects altogether. They’re convinced that they are incapable of producing “perfect” work without the imminent temporary setbacks necessary to overcome.

The notion that the first draft needs to be perfect is sadly a commonly held misconception. 

Again, this forms a vital brick that builds a wall as to 5 reasons authors fail.

A Developmental Journey 

Many professional authors will admit that their initial drafts are far from polished. 

Bestselling author Anne Lamott, in her book Bird by Bird, famously talks about the importance of “shitty first drafts.” 

According to Lamott, the purpose of a first draft is simply to get the ideas down on paper without worrying about perfection. 

The refining process comes later during editing and revisions.

Because in order to overcome perfectionism, aspiring authors need to give themselves permission to write poorly, at least in the initial stages.

It’s paramount to fully comprehend that writing is a process, and the first draft is only the starting point. 

Simply put, it is in the act of revising and rewriting that the magic happens, and no writer’s work is perfect from the outset.

The above personifies 5 reasons authors fail.

3. Lack of Time

Another seemingly significant obstacle for people who aspire to write their first book is the lack of time. 

In today’s fast-paced world, many people lead busy lives filled with work, family obligations, and social commitments. 

Although. these facets have been embedded in society since the fabric of time began. 

The very idea & thought of sitting down to write a book can seem overwhelming when one is already struggling to find time for everyday tasks.

You Can Eat An Elephant A Bite At A Time….

Naturally, writing a book requires a substantial time investment, and for many, the very thought of dedicating months or even years to such a project feels impossible. 

Again, the old adage, You Can Eat An Elephant A Bite At A Time is very apt here.

The act of writing isn’t just about putting words on a page; it involves research, planning, outlining, editing, and more. 

For people with full-time jobs, children to care for, or other demanding responsibilities, it’s easy to see why they might hesitate to take on such an overwhelming commitment. 

5 Reasons Authors Fail; Discipline Is The Master of All

However, it’s important to appreciate that most authors do not have unlimited free time. 

Many famous authors have written their books while juggling other commitments. 

For instance, Stephen King wrote his first novel Carrie while working as a high school teacher and supporting his family. 

He famously wrote for a few hours each day before and after his workday.

Similarly, Toni Morrison wrote her early novels while raising two children and working full-time as an editor.

The key to overcoming this hurdle is stringent self-discipline, effective time management and to prioritise, even if it’s limited to just 30 minutes a day. 

Setting small, achievable goals can help aspiring authors make steady progress over time.

As opposed to focusing on the enormity of writing an entire book which will inevitably cause the demons to resurface.

By breaking the task down into smaller, manageable chunks, the process feels less overwhelming.

4. Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is another common reason why many aspiring writers hesitate to write their first book. 

Certainly this refers to the feeling that the author is a fraud & that they don’t deserve their success or accomplishments.

Additionally, they will eventually be “found out” as not being good enough or worthy.

This feeling of inferiority is particularly prevalent among writers, who may doubt their talent, skills, or ability to write a book that anyone would want to read.

Although, many aspiring authors wrestle with thoughts like, “I’m not really a writer,” or “I don’t have anything new or valuable to say.” 

5 Reasons Authors Fail; Confucius Say; Don’t Listen To The Gremlins Of Your Mind

This limiting and damaging belief system,(which is all it is really), is that because they don’t have formal writing training, they aren’t qualified to write a book.

Or simply that their ideas aren’t original or important enough. 

This kind of thinking can lead to paralysis, preventing them from ever starting.

Imposter syndrome is not limited to new or aspiring writers. 

Consequently, even seasoned successful, published authors often experience these feelings. 

Neil Gaiman, the acclaimed author of American Gods and The Sandman, has spoken openly about his struggles with imposter syndrome. 

Admittedly and despite his success, he often feels like he doesn’t belong and that he’s not as good as people think he is.

Rest assured, almost all have these ‘gremlins in their mind’.

To combat imposter syndrome, aspiring authors need to remind themselves that their voice and perspective are unique. 

While it’s true that many books have been written, no one else has the same life experiences, insights, or way of telling a story as they do. 

Furthermore, writing is a skill that improves with practice. 

Simply summarized, the more a person writes, the more confident they will become in their abilities.

5. The Overwhelming Nature of the Task

As mentioned, the sheer scale of writing a book can be another reason why people hesitate to start which again encompasses 5 reasons why authors fail. 

Writing a book is a mammoth project that requires careful planning, sustained effort, and a considerable emotional investment. 

For those who have never written anything longer than an essay or short story, the idea of writing a book can seem insurmountable.

Many get stuck before they even begin because they don’t know where to start. 

Should they outline the entire book first? 

Should they start writing and figure it out as they go? 

How long should the book be? 

How do they develop characters, plot arcs, and themes? 

These questions can create a sense of overwhelm that stops people from taking the first step.

5 Reasons Authors Fail; Enjoy The Journey & Not Just The Arrival

Moreover, the process of writing a book doesn’t end when the first draft is finished. 

After the writing comes editing, revising, proofreading, and possibly seeking feedback from beta readers or professional editors.

Conclusively, there’s the decision of whether to self-publish or pursue traditional publishing, both of which come with their own challenges.

The thought of navigating all these steps can be enough to make anyone hesitate.

To overcome this feeling of overwhelm, aspiring authors can benefit from breaking the process down into smaller, manageable steps. 

Instead of focusing on the end goal of having a finished book, it’s helpful to concentrate on the next immediate task.

Whether that’s writing a single chapter, outlining the next scene, or simply committing to writing a certain number of words each day. 

By approaching the project incrementally, the task becomes less daunting, and progress becomes more achievable.

Of course, it goes without saying, yet worthy of mention that it’s important to enjoy the ride and not just arriving at the final destination.

In Summary

Writing a book is a challenging yet immensely rewarding endeavor. 

The hesitation that many aspiring authors feel is understandable.

In face of the numerous obstacles they’ll confront—fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of time, imposter syndrome, and the overwhelming nature of the task. 

However, by recognizing and by individually addressing these barriers, writers can push past their doubts and take the first step toward achieving their goal. 

Ultimately, the desire to write and the willingness to persevere through the difficulties will determine success.

Every writer starts somewhere, and the journey begins with that first word on the page.

And so this concludes 5 reasons why authors fail.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process and to never give up on your dreams.

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