Are you one of those writers that want to produce an amazing piece of work? Something that has the power to change readers’ minds and hearts, maybe even their lives? Well, you’ve come to the right place so keep on reading and I will tell you why the best way to achieve even the wildest of dreams may require you to quit “the wrong things”. And then I will tell you why you should never, ever quit writing.

First, let’s look at something called ‘writer’s dip’, the one thing that could have you banging your head on the desk and wanting to throw all your hard work away.

What is Writer’s Dip?

Writer’s dip is when you find writing becomes too hard and all you want to do is walk away. That’s all it is, nothing more, nothing less. Out of all the professions in the world, writing is one where the dip is likely to the most experienced. Everyone thinks they can write but writing is far more difficult for an actual writer than it is for others.

The dip is an overwhelming feeling and it will happen only once you have committed yourself to write a novel or other work, and have put a significant amount of effort into it. It is that horrible sinking feeling that everything can go wrong just when you need it all to go right. It’s an awful feeling but it is something you should learn to love.

Yes, writing is very hard. Creative effort takes all the mental energy you can spare and a whole lot more besides. For every minute you spend writing, you expend 100% of your precious mental resources; a full mental burn and that is not an easy thing to keep doing.

What this means is that most writers will never achieve their dream. They will never finish their book and they will never be published and that is the best news you will hear all day.

Why? Because that means only people like you, people who truly care about their writing will be able to overcome the dip. Adversity makes us sharper because the value of what you are doing is preserved. This is why finishing a book is rewarding – most writers wouldn’t bother if it was too easy and that is why the dip is something you should embrace and why you should be quitting the wrong things.

Why Quit?

Why do the best writers actively look for the dip? Because they know that they can manage it where many others have failed. Remember, adversity is the enemy of your enemy, those that simply don’t have what it takes to write, and that makes it your friend.

How many people have told you that they want to write a book? How many of them have got as far as you? It’s time for you to feel good, embrace the hardship that comes from your true passion.

But, it is important to remember that not every hardship has the same value; some just aren’t worth the effort and in part two we’ll look at what you should quit and how.