• Overcoming Writer Perfectionism, Anxiety, and Imposter Syndrome

    Writers often face varying levels of perfectionism, writing anxiety, and even imposter syndrome when working on their books. What many don’t realize is that these traits can create a lot of trouble for writers. Perfectionism can stir up feelings of not deserving earned successes (imposter syndrome), and, if not addressed in time, these thoughts can turn into anxious feelings about writing. The Perfectionist Writer Perfectionism is rooted in the fear of failure, which can keep writers from finishing their book. Perfectionists are inclined to view life as one endless tally of accomplishments and failures. They often will avoid situations they…

  • How to Effectively Overcome Writer’s Block

    Overcoming writer’s block is an achievable challenge. By incorporating effective methods such as engaging in creative activities during breaks, setting clear goals and deadlines, and outlining ideas before writing, you can regain your writing momentum. Remember, writer’s block is a common obstacle, but with persistence and the right strategies, you can certainly overcome it. Check out these effective and simple ways to combat that stuck feeling and help you find your writing groove. Go For a Walk Give your eyes a break from the screen and take a short walk around outside. The fresh air will help clear your mind,…

  • Fighting and Overcoming Writer’s Block (and Other Obstacles) from a First-Time Writer

    The thoughts are flowing, the pages are forming, and then all of a sudden — bam! You hit headfirst into writer’s block, along with procrastination, sentence forming issues and the desire to be perfect with every word you write. Xulon Press knows more than others what it is to be stopped by writing hindrances, as several of our own staff members have struggled, and overcome, these same author issues. Hear two staff members’ stories, Mimie Auxila and Michelle Johnston, describe their own writing experiences and how they surpassed the pitfalls of writing their first book. 1) What are your books…

  • Squashing Your Inner Critic and Other Fun Ways to Fix Your Creative Dry Spell

    There is nothing more exciting than penning a novel, poem, essay, prose, blog or script. Any writer looking to complete a piece of work suffers from highs and lows in the writing process – from the sweet rush of ideas that flood the soul at random times of the day, month or even years, to the dull moments that arise when trying to coax the writing process along. Here’s a list of ideas that can help you breeze through your moments of blockage. This is not in any particular order of importance; feel free to experiment with some or all…