Writing Update: The Seasons of a Writer

Every writer goes through seasons. Some are more productive than others—but each one is beautiful in its own way. Don’t discount one season just because you’re struggling through it, you’re still learning even through the struggles. You’re learning throughout each season of life.

This is something that has been on my heart lately… or perhaps I should say this year as I’ve been writing. Sometimes, as writers, we can become stagnant in the place we’ve reached in our writing. We forget that our journey is constantly changing and we’re always growing no matter how much it feels as though we’re staying in the same place. You’re not.

Perhaps, right now, the season you are in is to stay fruitful even when you feel stuck. I’ve felt this way for a while. I’ve felt as though I’m going in circles with my writing—not improving and not going anywhere. This was hard for me because I love to learn and I love to grow as a writer. So I struggle when I feel I’m going nowhere.

But it’s been a fruitful season for me all the same! And shown me that perhaps in this season, I need to take more breaks and enjoy this slow time. Enjoy doing things I may not always have time for during busy seasons. And that alone is productive.

We need to learn to be content in whatever season God’s placed us in (Philippians 4:11). It all comes back to enjoying the process. Because if we can’t enjoy each step it takes to reach our goal then we’re not going to enjoy our end goal either. Find joy in the little things even if that means bingeing a favorite series of books because you’re experiencing writer’s block. Don’t become focused on the block, but enjoy the time it’s giving you to read some old favorites!

For me, I feel like my writing process is changing every month it seems. Sometimes that can be hard for me because, if I had my way, I would find a hard and true process to write and stick to it every time. But that’s not how the creative process works. We learn something new with each book that we write and a lot of times that means finding a better way to enjoy the writing process.

But we have to be okay with that.

Now maybe I’m just talking to certain people here, maybe there are writers out there who have found the process that works for them and stick with it for each book they write. That’s great! I admire that. But I think for a lot of writers, it’s an ever-changing thing—depending on what season we are in.

I think that’s one of the many joys of writing. Learning new things through each season—through each book! It’s so fun and I feel myself growing and stretching with each one I write.

But maybe the season you’re in right now is a very busy, productive one and you feel a bit overwhelmed. How can you find joy in this season when it feels as if you’re running non-stop and still not getting anything done? I get this feeling all too well. But, dear writer, know that even these seasons are fruitful.

Maybe you’re going through a time when you’re having to neglect your writing because life is too busy. Take a break. And enjoy the season. Don’t become overwhelmed simply because you’re not in the place you want to be.

Enjoy where you are right here, right now.

Always know that even if you’re not enjoying the season God has placed you in right now, a change is right around the corner. So hold tight and hang on, surround yourself with people who will uplift and encourage you throughout each season. And you will make it through.

Your turn!

What season are you currently in? Do you struggle through the different seasons life brings you? How do you find enjoyment through each and every one?

Blessings, Allyson

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