by Suzanne Lieurance
Many writers have the talent to succeed. They have ideas. They have notebooks full of story concepts. They have writing books on their shelves and courses on their computers. Yet year after year, they still struggle to finish what they start.
Meanwhile, other writers seem to make steady progress. They finish manuscripts, submit their work, publish books, and keep moving forward.
What makes the difference?
It’s not talent or luck, and it’s usually not time. More often than not, the difference comes down to identity.
The Way You See Yourself Matters
Every action you take is influenced by how you see yourself.
Someone who sees themselves as a runner is more likely to lace up their shoes and go for a run. Someone who sees themselves as a healthy person is more likely to make healthier choices.
The same is true for writers. If you see yourself as someone who wants to write, you’ll write when the mood strikes. If you see yourself as a writer, you’ll be much more likely to write even when you don’t feel inspired.
That shift may seem small, but it changes everything.
Many Writers Are Waiting for Permission
Some writers are waiting for a book deal before they feel like a real writer. Others are waiting until they finish their first manuscript. Some are waiting for more confidence, more experience, or more validation.
The problem is that confidence usually comes after action, not before it. You don’t become a writer because someone else says you are. You become a writer when you decide to act like one.
Your Results Often Follow Your Beliefs
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to find evidence that supports what you already believe?
If you believe writing is difficult, you’ll notice every obstacle. If you believe publishing is impossible, you’ll focus on every rejection. If you believe you’re not disciplined enough, you’ll see every missed writing session as proof.
But when you begin changing those beliefs, something interesting happens. You start noticing opportunities.
You start taking action more consistently. You begin creating evidence that supports a new story about yourself.
Small Shifts Create Big Changes
Many writers think they need a major breakthrough. In reality, lasting change often starts with small daily shifts.
A new thought. A new habit. A new decision about who you are becoming.
Those small shifts compound over time. One day of writing becomes a week. A week becomes a month. A month becomes a finished manuscript.
Becoming the Writer You Want to Be
If you’ve been feeling stuck, it may be worth asking yourself a different question. Instead of asking, “How can I get myself to write?” Ask, “Who do I need to become in order to create the writing life I want?”
The answer to that question can change everything.
And, if you’d like help making that shift, my 7-Day Writer’s Manifestation Kickstart is designed to help you begin thinking, acting, and showing up as the writer you want to become. Learn more about it here.
Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books and a transformational Law of Attraction coach for writers who are ready to stop waiting to feel like the real thing. At Write by the Sea, she guides writers through the identity shift that changes everything — not just the writing, but the whole life built around it. She is the publisher of Manifesting Monthly magazine and the host of Monday Morning Manifestors.
