Writing Should Be Fun: How to Take the Pressure Off and Do Your Best Work

Writing, especially when you can't help but chase perfection, can be daunting. Maybe you associate stress and pressure with writing—I used to for sure, trust me. In college I’d wait until a few days before the due date to start that ten-page essay. Instead of feeling pumped as I wrote my amateur analysis of Beowulf, I began to think dropping out of college wouldn't be so bad. (Maybe that's a valid reaction to deciphering Old English, though.) I don't know why I did that to myself. Every single essay up until my senior year was fraught with anxiety and expectation of flawlessness. I was concerned with an A grade, not the content, flow or any remote interest I had.

Does that sound familiar?

If you’re an adult writer, out of school with no looming deadlines, there’s no need to feel boxed in as you build a story. Transform your attitude toward writing to one of eagerness to create. Here are some tips to get you there.

Write What You Know

If you’re an expert DnD Dungeon Master, write a story based on Druids and Elves navigating a fantastical kingdom. If your family has kept bees in your backyard for generations, consider putting together a how-to guide for aspiring beekeepers. Lay out what you know. Say, if you have no previous interest in sci-fi or time travel, maybe your forte lies elsewhere. Nothing wrong with that. But if you’re truly eager to write the next Outlander and don’t mind diving into some research—go for it! Just make sure you build a foundation of knowledge and passion for the subject before you commit.

Change Up Your Scenery

There’s nothing more relaxing than walking to my favorite café and writing with a hot Americano alongside my laptop. I’m fond of the music and pleasant chatter, and since I go to the same one on the regular, I’ve even gotten to know the baristas.

However, maybe the noise is too much. The in-and-out bustle in your peripheral too distracting. Some writers need silence, and in that case a private library room might be suitable, or even a comfy recliner at home. Make sure that you’re physically comfortable—with your space at a good temperature, too—in order to do your best work.

Make it Social

Have any friends or family who like to write? If you're comfortable with it, I'm sure they'd love to see your progress. I've had a friend since college who shares similar interests. We enjoy bouncing ideas off one another and giving encouragement in the face of writer's block. Having a writing buddy makes the process significantly more fun—and likely will improve the quality of your writing.

Better yet, I recommend making new friends through a writer's club. I haven't found a good group in my city yet, but I'm on the search. GR natives: email me if you know one!

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Especially if you don't have deadlines set in stone or external pressure, writing should be a relaxing outlet in which you can let creativity run wild. In summary: write the narrative that comes naturally, in a conducive environment, and ideally with a friend or two to check in with. You'll find your writing will bloom—mold itself into the best shape possible, with a strong voice and passion, before presenting it to an editor. Wink, wink.