The Top 10 Most Common Writing Obstacles Every Writer Faces (and How to Get Through Them Without Losing Perspective – or Your Mind)

Common Writing Obstacles – Writing isn’t always romantic candlelight, flowing words, and story-fueled euphoria.

Sometimes it’s staring at the blinking cursor like it owes you money.

Every writer—new or seasoned, plotter or pantser—runs headfirst into obstacles. It’s part of the job. The secret? Recognize them, face them head-on, and keep going.

Here are the ten most common writing hurdles and how to bulldoze your way through them:

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1. Common Writing Obstacles – The Blank Page Paralysis

The Problem: You finally sit down to write… and nothing comes. The screen is white. The page is silent. You suddenly question all your life choices.

The Fix: Start messy. Write a bad sentence on purpose. Describe your setting with cliché. Let the characters argue over nothing. The key is momentum. You can clean it up later—but only if it exists.

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2. Common Writing Obstacles – Perfectionism

The Problem: You can’t move forward because you’re too busy tweaking the first paragraph… for the 12th time.

The Fix: Give yourself permission to suck. First drafts aren’t for brilliance—they’re for building bones. You can sculpt the art in revision. For now, let it be ugly and alive.

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3. Common Writing Obstacles – Impostor Syndrome

The Problem: You think, “Who am I to write this?” or “This has been done better by someone else.”

The Fix: You’re the only one who can tell your story in your voice. That’s your superpower. Remind yourself: it’s not about being the best. It’s about being authentic and relentless.

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4. Common Writing Obstacles – Distractions (aka Life)

The Problem: Kids, pets, partners, laundry, bills, notifications. Writing time gets squeezed until it vanishes.

The Fix: Guard your writing time like it’s sacred. Schedule it. Even 20 minutes. Use headphones, shut the door, go dark on social. Writing doesn’t need endless hours—it needs focused ones.

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5. Common Writing Obstacles – Mid-Story Burnout (a.k.a. The Muddy Middle)

The Problem: You’ve lost steam halfway through the book. The plot feels wobbly. You’re not sure where it’s going.

The Fix: Revisit your character’s goal and what’s at stake. If you’re bored, raise the tension. Add a twist, a betrayal, or an unexpected complication. Light a fire under your plot—and your butt.

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6. Common Writing Obstacles – Comparison Trap

The Problem: You read someone else’s beautifully polished novel and suddenly feel like quitting.

The Fix: You’re comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone’s final cut. That published book went through dozens of revisions. Stay in your lane. Use others’ success as fuel, not a reason to stop.

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7. Common Writing Obstacles – Rejection and Criticism

The Problem: You got a bad review or a form rejection and now you’re questioning everything.

The Fix: Rejection isn’t personal—it’s part of the process. Every writer gets them. Learn from constructive feedback, and let the rest slide off. Keep submitting. Keep writing. Thick skin, fierce heart.

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8. Common Writing Obstacles – Lack of Motivation

The Problem: You just don’t feel like writing. Days pass. Guilt creeps in.

The Fix: Motivation is unreliable. Habit isn’t. Show up anyway—even when it’s hard. Often, writing begets motivation, not the other way around. Start with a 10-minute timer. See what happens.

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9. Common Writing Obstacles – Plot Holes & Story Problems

The Problem: You realize your timeline’s a mess, or your twist doesn’t make sense, or your villain just… fizzled out.

The Fix: Don’t panic. Step back and troubleshoot. Sketch out timelines. Use sticky notes. Talk it out with a writing buddy. Most problems are fixable with perspective and patience.

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10. Common Writing Obstacles – Fear of Finishing

The Problem: You’ve almost finished the book—but something’s keeping you from wrapping it up.

The Fix: Fear of failure—or success—is real. Finishing means you’ll have to share it. Maybe even risk rejection. Do it anyway. Finish scared. Finish imperfectly. But finish. That’s where the magic is.

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Final Word

Every writer faces these obstacles. You’re not alone. The difference between those who dream of writing and those who actually finish the book?

They keep going—even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

So when you hit the wall, don’t stop. Climb it. Break it. Write your way through it.

Because your story? It’s worth it.

If you enjoy learning more about writing, be sure to join our community! We are beginning a new developmental series on writing that any writer or hopeful writer won’t want to miss. And be sure to check out our a deep dive on each of the literary devices which are so important in writing and in understanding the nuances in literature.