First published: September 21, 2025 by Paul W. Romero
For anyone who may need a bit of cheerleading in their writing journey, just know that you got this. If I can do this, then so can you. Some days will be more productive than others. Some days will be good and some days not so much. Things will come up, the process will hit roadblocks and speedbumps, but just like the story arcs of our stories, so are the arcs of our writing journeys. I may be the only one who thinks this way, but in case I’m not. You got this! Someone out there, even if it’s just you, needs your story. Finish it. You owe it to yourself and the world.
Finish your story. You owe it to yourself and the world.
Come up with a plan to tackle the entire process in smaller digestible chunks. Pace yourself so you don’t burn out. Work early and work ahead whenever you can to make up for the days when you can’t work on the manuscript. Breathe, and believe in yourself. You’re almost there. You can do this.
On days when you don’t feel in the mood, trick yourself. Open the document. Glance at it. Think about it. Do it. Reward yourself when you finish a small goal. Smaller victories lead to bigger ones and before you know it, you’re finished.
On days when you’re not in the mood, trick your brain. Open the document. See what happens.
The key is to keep going, prioritize writing time, and just do it. So much of paralysis comes from overthinking. Just do it and whatever happens, at least it’s done. Right or wrong, it’s better than a blank page.
Get the words onto the page. It doesn’t matter how good or bad the writing is (spoiler alert: it will probably be bad and that’s okay). You can’t edit a blank page. Repeat: YOU CAN’T EDIT A BLANK PAGE.
If you are on to what I call the dreaded revision stage, here is a bit of extra insight and thinking out loud that may help. This was taken from a discussion post at the end of my MFA in Creative Writing program which at the time of this post will be less than five weeks away.
What I am most excited about is seeing the final version of the story take shape. The fruits of my labor come to life, and a sigh of relief that I finally finished it. I sucked it up and actually finished it. I’m excited to see how it all comes together and all the experience I will gain from it. I’m also looking forward to seeing how everyone else’s stories come to fruition.
What I’m least excited about is the actual editing part as opposed to the revising part. More specifically the proofreading and spelling and grammar. The nuts and buts and final fine details. The major chunks are frustrating to fit together, but I would rather do that part since it involves creative thinking. But when it comes to the specific details of using the correct formatting, the correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, those aren’t up to interpretation per say. There are hard and fast rules to follow so as not to confuse the reader and to make the manuscript look professional as opposed to unedited.
I’m also worried about burning myself out again. I have a lot of revisions to do, and I’ve already been working on them since early summer. I know I got a lot of work ahead of me, and rather than pacing myself and scheduling manageable chunks, I end up going for long sprints followed by unproductive days.
At the risk of adding to the bad therapist comment, I feel like on a deeper level my perfectionist brain still gets in the way. I can never do things in moderation. I always have to do them in extremes. Either I do it all at once and way too much, or I don’t do anything.
Perfection is a trap. Don’t fall for it.
Once again, going back to my gym analogy, rather than working out a few body parts at time and allowing the muscles to rest and recover, I have to go all in and beat my muscles to submission with each workout and minimal downtime. Disclaimer: that was the old me. The new me took a break from the gym since the beginning of the year, and for that reason: burnout. Also, I’m getting more addicted to writing, and for me that’s a good thing.
Here are some quotes I looked up and like about the revision process:
“I’m a rewriter. That’s the part I like best…once I have a pile of paper to work with, it’s like having the pieces of a puzzle. I just have to put the pieces together to make a picture.” – Judy Blume
“It is no sign of weakness or defeat that your manuscript ends up in need of major surgery. This is common in all writing and among the best of writers.” – E.B. White
“Books aren’t written—they’re rewritten.” – Michael Crichton
“Good writing is essentially rewriting.” – Roald Dahl
“The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost
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Paul W Romero 