Dedicated writers refuse to engage in habits that set them up for failure. We work hard to incorporate good habits that are proven successful.  

For writers who live and breathe their writing addiction but have a problem staying on task; these are writers who want to be published but don’t want to do the necessary work. That is not us! I’m offering help to identify symptoms and giving solutions to Overcome Writer Failure (OWF).  

1. Pacifier Writers  

A pacifier is used to keep a baby from crying. In the case of a writer, it’s whining about the publishing industry instead of writing better manuscripts. Learn the writing craft and keep trying. 

2. Paint Writers 

Don’t paint your world with illusions such as, “My mom says I’m the best writer in the state. I don’t need feedback.” If you want realistic feedback, ask someone other than a relative. 

3. Passionless Writers 

If a writer’s passion is not for his/her book idea, then a reader won’t be enthusiastic about it either. Develop ideas that keep you excited about your project. 

4. Peacock Writers 

Ouch. Pride stops us from success. It also brands us as unteachable. A humble writer learns the craft, develops a sense of the market, and is enthusiastic about edits. 

5. Peanut Writers 

Although George Washington Carver discovered 325 uses for the peanut, a peanut writer pens everything from T-shirt sayings to theology books. We all have varied interests, and that’s commendable, but find your writing niche and stick with it for maximum impact. 

6. Perspiration Writers 

Some writers don’t like to sweat. If you’re not dripping over your manuscript, then you’re not writing a quality manuscript. Writing is a contact sport: your mind is engaged with your heart and fingers. Sweat. It’s good for the soul. 

7. Pickle Writers 

Weak writers are afraid to write themselves into a pickle. They don’t want the challenge of discovery, research, or unpredictable outcomes. They also don’t sell their work. Grasp the challenge of discovery, research, and unpredictable outcomes. Then celebrate publishing your work. 

8. Plumber Writers 

Plumber writers flush all their work down the toilet and never seek publication. Need I say more? Find your confidence and reach your goals. 

9. Plywood Writers 

Plywood is flexible, inexpensive, easy to work with, and reusable. But it’s very hard to bend perpendicular to the grain. A plywood writer refuses to accept constructive criticism or change in the industry. Don’t be a plywood writer who insists upon writing his/her way.   

10. Popcorn Writers 

Popcorn writers are those who jump from one frying pan to another. They submit, are rejected, and submit again without revisiting the manuscript for ways to improve it. Review, revise, then resubmit. 

11. Potato Writers 

Some writers don’t want to write for free. It’s beneath them. Small potatoes grow into big ones, and those nonpaying manuscripts gain visibility and build our resume. A writer always learns in the creative process. 

12. Piranha Wannabe Writers    

Some writers will do anything to keep from writing. They like to swim through swift-moving waters with published writers, but they have one excuse after another not to work. They never make deadlines, even self-imposed ones. Don’t be a piranha wannabe writer who is devoured by the real piranhas who are swimming upstream.  

If any of these characteristics sound like you, then you may be heading for writer failure. Now is the time to change those bad habits and begin the next bestseller.