5 Things You Need To Sacrifice If You Want to Be A Better Writer

Becoming a better writer takes dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to make a sacrifice here and there along the way.

Those who are willing to make the necessary sacrifices will see rewards beyond those who aren't. 

But keep in mind that many of these sacrifices are doubled-edged swords, while they may help you become a better writer, they are called sacrifices for a reason. 

In the end, something has to give. 

Comfort Zone 

As a writer it is sometimes necessary for our stories for us to step in the shoes of others to bring our characters to life, but what if we have a character that we want to write, but know nothing about? 

Well, it's time to step out from behind the desk and interact with someone who might know the answer.

In my current work in progress, my protagonist falls for a soldier who is stationed in Texas, and while I have been to the bases there, visiting with my brother, I have never been the one in uniform so I had to convince my brother and sister in law, both of whom are service members to fill in the gaps that I was missing. 

Now this might not be something that is out of your comfort zone, but I prefer to keep my writing and my family as far from each other as possible, to write a better story. I had to make the sacrifice to explain to them the story and my characters so that they could give me the most accurate information they could. 

Free Time 

So you want to be a better writer?

Say goodbye to your free time. 

Because there's no such thing. 

No this doesn't mean that you aren't going to have time to hang out with your friends, see your family, or see that new show on that streaming service with that actor that you've been wanting to see for the longest time - but it does mean that that you should be putting writing forward when you can, 

Not first - forward. 

If you've hung out with your friends every single day after work, then it's time for you to take a few days off from seeing them to get some words written. 

Distractions 

We all love our phones, our shows, our pets, and our hobbies, and you know what else we love? Being distracted. 

If you want to be a better writer you have to stop scrolling through social media and seeing all of those other writers and authors who have finished their books and thinking that it's going to be you one day and put down the phone and get to writing. 

Yes, even you reading this article about being a better writer is a distraction from doing the one that that will make you a better writer - go write! 

Fear Of Failure 

All writers are afraid of something and no I don't mean something like spiders, or the dark, or that shadow that seems to follow you around, always lurking at the very corner of your vision, but by the time you try to see it, it's disappeared -  or in my case plummeting to my death in an elevator. 

Writers fear rejection and failure just like everyone else, but we need to keep writing, keep submitting, and keep putting ourselves out there despite that fear. 

Sure it never really goes away, but you have to keep going in the elevator despite being afraid of falling. 

Instant Gratification 

There is no such thing as instant gratification when you are a writer so you need to sacrifice the thought of it before you go any further into your writing journey. 

Writing is a long-term goal and dream because the words you write today won't get into the hands of your readers for at least a few months or even a year. 

If you want instant gratification go post on social media, get your fill of likes and comments, and then get back to writing. 

Best of luck 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:00 pm EST

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