Why Is Writing So Freaking Hard (But Worth It)?

My first idea for the title was "The Kryptonite of Writing." In any case, this post is about why the hardest art form is also the most rewarding

📝 1,060 words. ⏳ Estimated reading time: less than 8 minutes.

Writing good fiction is freaking hard.

Writing might be the toughest of all the creative activities.

I know creativity isn’t just for artists. Entrepreneurs, scientists, and journalists are super creative, too. They’re similar to artists, right?

Today, I’m going to talk about traditional arts—literature, performing, and visual—and explain why writers face a big challenge in making art.

I won’t add notes about the psychological and emotional toll of solitary writing today. I won’t talk about isolation, loneliness, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, mental fatigue, pressure to be perfect, and vulnerability. Not today!

Writing isn’t a passive activity

Writing is unique from other art forms because it’s not passive.

When you read a book, you’re not just an observer like with a painting or a movie. You’re a consumer of the words. You have to actively pay attention, or you’ll miss the beauty and art in the story.

That’s true for the writer too.

Writing has unique challenges.

One of the toughest things? It’s just you and the page.

Your body doesn’t move much (except for your fingers), and it can feel pretty lonely. Some people might love that quiet time, but for me, it can be tough.

The challenge is genuine

In writing, you can do anything, and that’s amazing and terrifying at the same time.

When thinking about other art forms like painting or building, there are rules to follow. For example, in a painting, you can’t paint a sunset that goes on forever because the canvas has edges. And in building design, you can’t make the walls float because of gravity!

Writing is a completely different matter.

Image by Franz Bachinger from Pixabay

There are no physical limits.

I can create anything I can imagine. My story could take place in a world where the sun never sets, or in a city where buildings float like balloons. I can invent new creatures, make up my own rules for how the world works, and take my characters on wild adventures that could never happen in real life.

Freedom is amazing—it’s like a superpower! But it can be intimidating.

When you can do anything, it’s hard to know where to start, or where to go to.

There’s no one telling you, “This is how it has to be.” You have to figure it all out on your own, and that can be overwhelming. It’s like standing in front of a giant, empty field with a shovel and being told you can dig anywhere. Where do you begin?

That’s why writing can feel challenging. The possibilities are endless, making it hard to choose one path. But it’s also what makes it exciting. You get to decide everything, and your only limit is your imagination.

People think artists wait for inspiration, but that’s not true. You have to put in the effort, even when you don’t feel like it.

It’s like surfing: you can’t just lie on the board and expect to catch a wave. You have to paddle, even if you’re not sure you’re going the right way. And in writing, it’s hard to know if you’re following the correct path.

In other arts, you can step back and see what you’ve done—how the brushstrokes make a painting, or the dance moves create a routine. But writing doesn’t give you that instant feedback. You’re immersed in the details of your sentences, and it’s hard to see the bigger picture.

No shortcuts, just hard work

Writing is tough. Unlike performing arts, there’s no script or song to guide you. It’s unique, and it’s hard to gauge your work until you’re deep into it. That’s what makes it challenging.

I’m not saying writing is harder and better than other art forms. I just want to share why it can be difficult, and why it’s okay if you’re struggling.

Writing is a unique kind of hard work, but when you finally get it right, there’s nothing quite like it.

Keep pushing, and remember that the struggle is part of the process.

The power of struggle

Sometimes it can be hard when I sit down to write. I get stuck on a sentence or can’t figure out what happens next. It’s frustrating, like climbing a mountain and slipping back down. But the struggle is important.

Facing writing challenges pushes me to think harder and get creative.

If I can’t figure out my character’s reaction to something tough, I have to dig deep and empathize. It makes me reflect on my feelings and experiences, helping me understand myself better. The better I understand, the better I write about my characters’ feelings.

Also, every time I work through a struggle, I learn something new. If I get past that tricky part, it feels like a huge victory! It’s like I’m earning my writer badge for perseverance. Each time I solve a problem or express my thoughts, I grow as a writer and as a person. It teaches me resilience—the ability to continue, even when things get tough.

Struggles in my writing can lead to unexpected surprises. When I push through a hard spot, I might come up with an idea that I never would have thought of if everything had gone smoothly. It’s like discovering something valuable after persevering through difficulties. Those moments can enrich my writing.

The struggles in writing help me grow and make my journey more meaningful. I’m learning, discovering, and becoming a better writer.

Embracing the struggle helps me appreciate the process, making every word I write feel valuable!

Before leaving

Just a reminder, every writer faces struggles. It’s normal!

The tough moments can feel heavy, but that’s where significant progress is made. Pushing through the difficult parts helps me grow as a writer. So, next time you feel stuck or frustrated, remember it’s part of the game.

Keep writing, keep dreaming, and don’t fear challenges. They help you grow! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures and discoveries in your writing. Until next time, let’s embrace the struggles and celebrate the stories waiting to be told!

Until next time, my fellow word wranglers! May your plot twists be twisty and your coffee strong!

—Simon

A service note:

Starting next week, I’ll start giving this newsletter a bit more structure. It will be issued once per week, for now. If you agree or disagree with this idea, or if you want to suggest me on which day I should publish the newsletter, I’m just one message/comment away! Aitäh!¹

Hey there! I’m Simon, a business owner who’s totally passionate about writing (and one day, I hope to marry the two!).

Lately, I’ve been hooked on Forensics: The Real CSI on HBO. Also, I recently read the awesome How to stay happy for the rest of your days by

Will Myles

in his

Turning The Page

. I think you should read it, too!

By the way, if you’re interested, I’ve got a couple of freebies you can snag—one’s about character archetypes, and the other’s a guide on writing dialogue in fiction.

I’d love to hear what you think about this article! Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below so we can chat about them.

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1. “Aitäh” is the Estonian for “Thank you”!