" My Writing Is Failing Me"-Lessons I Learned from My Failed Writing and How to Improve It

 As a writer and someone who has always found comfort in words, I often find myself in situations where I feel like my writing is failing me. There are days when I sit in front of my screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, and… nothing. The words don’t land the way they used to.I can’t help but admit it — my writing is failing me, and I never thought I’d reach this point.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be a little nervous, a little scared as you are writing. Good writing is risky writing.

There is a wonderful John Irving quote: “If you don’t feel you are possibly on the edge of humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing, then what you’re doing probably isn’t very vital.

If you don’t feel that you are writing somewhat over your head, why do it? If you don’t have some doubt of your authority to tell this story, then you’re not trying to tell enough.”

How comforting is this — a master writer telling us all to be dangerously daring, to be scared, to be more than a little nauseous as we ply our craft?

Failing is a strong word to use when we talk about writing, mostly because writing is an ongoing journey, and it is almost impossible to say that we've ‘failed’ at it. However, this doesn’t change the fact that many writers DO FEEL like they are failing at writing.

Failure is an opportunity for greatness. It is an intrinsic to the writing process, as falling is to skating. DON’T GIVE UP. Lessons I have learnt from my failure.

Here’s what I learned from my failed writing and how you, too, can transform your writing setbacks into stepping stones for growth:

Ø Read Out Loud: Read what you have written aloud to see how it sounds. This is the first step to checking your piece for awkward writing. There were times I stopped reading to focus more on writing.

Ø Shorten Your Sentences: The next way to avoid awkward writing is to take out every unnecessary word, phrase, and sentence. I didn’t understand that great writing is rewriting.

Ø Write with a purpose: One of my biggest mistakes was writing without clarity or purpose. I would dive into articles or stories without knowing what message I wanted to convey.

Ø Create a writing schedule: Even 20 minutes a day can lead to growth. Discipline turns you from an amateur into a professional.

Ø Review grammar and spelling basics: Strong writing begins with a firm grip over grammar and correct spelling — they’re the foundation of good writing.

Ø Get feedback: A fresh pair of eyes can offer valuable insights and highlight areas for improvement you might miss.

Ø Think about structure: Organize your ideas logically with clear introductions, transitions, and conclusions to guide the reader effectively.

Ø Write consistently: The more you write, the better you get. Make writing a daily habit to refine your style and voice.

Ø Freewriting: One technique that has worked wonders for me is free-writing. I allow myself to write without judgment.

Ø Know some common fixes: Familiarize yourself with frequent writing mistakes and easy ways to correct them , like avoiding passive voice, and improving clarity.

Final Thoughts

Feeling like your writing is failing can be disheartening, but it’s crucial to remember that these moments are temporary. By understanding the underlying causes and employing effective strategies, you can overcome creative blocks and rediscover your voice.

Writing is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs — embrace it, and allow yourself the grace to grow as a writer. With patience and practice, you’ll find your flow again and create work that connects with both you and your readers.

If you’re reading this and feeling the same way — disconnected, blocked, or stuck — you’re not alone. Every writer faces rough patches. Every creative person doubts their gift at some point. But this isn’t the end of our writing journey. It’s just a chapter.

I’m not giving up. I’m learning to rewrite my voice, one word at a time. And maybe, just maybe, that’s where the magic lives — not in never failing, but in always choosing to begin again.

Could you please let me know, in the comments, when you felt like a failed writer, and how you overcame them??

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