How To Start Writing When You Feel Like You Don’t Know What You’re Doing

You’ve been feeling a desire and a nudge to write. You want to start, but you feel unsure about how to move forward. Here are four questions to help you get started and gain forward momentum as a writer.

1. Can you embrace uncertainty? You’ll feel like you should know more before you start writing. You’ll think things like, I’ve read books on this topic. Maybe my book isn’t needed. Or Am I sure God wants me to write?

Uncertainty is a part of writing. If your goal is to eliminate all unknowns before writing, then you probably won’t become a writer. A better approach is to jump in, start writing, and see where that leads you. You’ll find you feel more confident in some parts of writing than others. And the aspects of writing you feel less certain about? Commit to learning and growing in those skills.

2. Can you make time for writing? Writing requires some of your best time. If you can commit to a couple of hours daily, that’s great! Treat those writing hours as an appointment that can’t be canceled. But don’t discount smaller chunks of time. When I first started writing, I woke up before my kids, and those early morning small increments of time became the time I started making progress in my writing. 

Making time for writing may require you to say no to other responsibilities. If you keep adding to-dos to your schedule, you won’t have time to write. Learning to say no honors your goal of writing. 

Think about when your creative energy is at its best. Can you reserve at least part of that time for writing?

3. Can you find support in your writing community? You need the support of other writers, and they need you! Writing can be isolating. We’re often in our heads, thinking and overthinking. One of the benefits of COMPEL Pro is you’ll find people who get you, who can answer questions, and who can give you feedback. Also, a writing coach can give you valuable feedback and direction during the writing process.

4. Can you be your own writing advocate? I wasn’t very good at being my own champion in the beginning, but I learned, and you can too. Committing to writing meant I was taking time away from friends and family. Sometimes that was supported; sometimes not. Some people didn’t understand why I would dedicate so much time to something that initially wasn’t making money.

So how did I become my own writing advocate? It started with a mindset shift. I believed my message had value. When writing marriage books, I believed that sharing my desire to have a godly marriage along with being vulnerable about my marriage struggles would help my readers have stronger marriages. Do you believe your idea will benefit your reader?

Your first steps forward in your writing journey might feel tentative and wobbly. But you can feel some uncertainty and move forward simultaneously. You’ll find that as you make time for your writing, find support in other writers, and shift your mindset to believe in your goals, you’ll gain forward momentum in your writing. 

Blessings,
Melanie Chitwood

Write down the declaration: I am a writer! And display it somewhere you can see every day.