The Writer's Curse and Three Ways to Break It

We’ve published a lot of original content on Instagram over the years. Sometimes, it’s fallen into the void of social media obscurity. But every once in a while, a post of ours seems to have cut to the heart of writers. One of those posts was this one on the writer's curse from a few years ago:

The concept of the “creator’s curse” centers around the idea that the more you create, the more you know. Extending this idea out over a lifetime of creative endeavors brings us to the paradox of the more art you make, the less satisfied you are with it.

When our focus narrows from the broader idea of “creator’s curse” to “writer’s curse,” we arrive at our pithy little meme which defines it as: “Never being satisfied with a story when you finish it because your skills improved through the act of writing it.” This paradox is a mental battle that all writers face at some point in their creative journey IF their skills and self-awareness are growing. And of course, we hope we’re constantly growing.

If we’re not careful, we writers can get caught up in the writer’s curse to such an extent that it affects our creative lives. Below are a few dangers of falling under the curse’s power and, more importantly, strategies to overcome them.

Danger 1: Never Finishing Your Writing (The Perfectionist Trap)

There’s a legend in the literary world about writer Tim O’Brien. He wrote The Things They Carried, which is regarded as one of the greatest short story collections of all time. It was a winner of multiple awards, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and appears in multiple collections that list out “100 Books You Must Read in a Lifetime.” A story is still floating around today about how the renowned Mr. O’Brien was walking up to a podium to read from his collection with a red pen in his hand, revising his work with each step.

We’ve probably all felt this way at some point—never satisfied with our writing, never good enough. It’s a rough place to be, especially if the pursuit of perfection robs you of sharing your work with others. The truth is that your writing will NEVER be perfect because you’re constantly growing as a writer, and that’s actually a good thing.

Strategy to try:
Try focusing less on the product and more on the process and your growth. It’s not to say that your finished story isn’t important and worth celebrating—it absolutely is. However, the journey is worth your celebration too. When you see not just what you’ve created but how you’ve changed as a creator, you’ll unlock a whole new source of joy. The truth is that we’re usually our own harshest critic, which means you’ll always see flaws in your work. But when your story is the best it can possibly be for you at this moment in time, free yourself to share it with others so you can keep growing as you embark on a new chapter.

For more on what to do with perfectionism, check out Rachelle’s blog post on the topic.

Danger 2: Imposter Syndrome for Writers

When the writer’s curse has you feeling down about your talent, it’s easy to feel like a fraud, and another term for that feeling is imposter syndrome. Melissa, one of our editors, has talked about imposter syndrome at Embers before because it’s something so many writers struggle with. In our dark moments, we consider whether or not we should even call ourselves writers. So how can you shine a light in that darkness?

Strategy to try:
First of all, surround yourself with talented, honest writer buddies. You don’t have to have a ton of writer friends, and you need not have even met them in person. But find a community of writers who understand your struggles (because they have them too), are passionate about you and your work, and can lift you up when you’re feeling low. Don’t have a community yet? We highly recommend AuthorMedia.social as a great place to get started.

Whether you find a great group of writer buddies or not, consider putting together a “proof of talent” document for yourself—this is a document where you’ve saved positive reviews, encouraging beta reader feedback, and other kind things people have said about your work. When you’re struggling to believe in yourself, take out this document and read a few snippets to prove to yourself that people think your writing is great even when you don’t.

Danger 3: Losing the Joy of Writing (Creative Burnout)

If we let the burden of perfection and the lie of imposter syndrome settle in, a third danger can take hold—creative burnout. The joy, the magic, the sheer release of endorphins that you normally experience when you write are suddenly absent. Writing no longer feels like a passion, it feels like a chore, and it feels like part of you is missing.

Strategy to try:
Step away from your keyboard and use another part of your creative brain–read outside your genre, bake a cake, paint a portrait. A good time to do this would be in between drafts of your current project or just when you’re feeling disconnected from your story.

When it’s time to jump back into writing, the use of a mantra might help you return your heart and mind to your passion. By mantra, I mean some sort of creed that you come up with that reminds you why you write in the first place. Something like, “I write so those without a voice can have one,” or, “I write to give readers a doorway into fantasy worlds,” or, “I write my fears so that I can conquer them.” Put your reason for writing in a prominent place, and whenever you lose touch with why you’re writing, read it again to remind you.

Final Thoughts on the Writer’s Curse

A final note as you consider the writer’s curse—accept that the continuous pursuit of anything worthwhile will sometimes be difficult. You’re in a long-term relationship with writing, and that might get rocky once in a while. But that’s okay. After all, true love is patient and kind, and you must be patient with yourself and your creative journey. The curse may occasionally cast its darkness over you, but love? Well, that can conquer all.

~Madeleine Mozley