"The Gentle Pen" - Consistency

When Writing Feels Hard: Staying Consistent Through the Rough Days

Let’s be honest.

Not every day as a writer feels like a magical burst of creativity. Some days feel like trying to wring words out of a sponge that’s already dry. You sit down to write and... nothing. Or worse—you write, and everything feels flat, tired, or just plain wrong.

And as a published children’s book author, let me tell you something from the heart:

That feeling? It never fully goes away. But we write anyway.

💭 The Myth of Constant Inspiration

I think we all start with this dreamy idea: that being a writer means waking up inspired every day, coffee in hand, ready to craft beautiful sentences that flow effortlessly.

The truth?

Some days, I stare at the screen for an hour before typing a single line. Other days, I delete everything I wrote the day before. And sometimes, I doubt whether the story I’m telling even matters.

But here’s what I’ve learned over time: waiting for inspiration is a trap.Writing is like any other practice—it grows when you show up, especially when you don’t feel like it.

✍️ Write Through the Fog

Some days will feel light, creative, and joyful. Others will feel slow and uncertain. But the words you write on hard days still count.

In fact, those might be the words that mean the most.

Children’s books, especially, are born from emotion. So even when your writing feels messy, awkward, or stuck—it might be tapping into something deeper than you realize.

You don’t have to be “on fire” to keep going. You just have to keep your hand moving.

🔄 Track Your Progress (It Really Helps)

When the going gets tough, it helps to look back and see how far you’ve come.

Try this:

• Keep a daily word count or a journal of your writing time

• Use a wall calendar or sticky notes for visual tracking (great for motivation!)

• Create a “done” folder where you drop finished scenes or pages—watch it grow!

Even five minutes of writing a day is progress. Even one sentence is something real.

Some weeks, I only write a paragraph or two—but I remind myself that slow progress is still progress.

🧠 Be Gentle, But Keep Showing Up

Writer’s block isn’t just about not knowing what to say. Sometimes it’s fear. Or doubt. Or exhaustion.

So here’s my advice, writer to writer:

• Take a walk

• Switch to pen and paper

• Write something silly or small

• Revisit your favorite children’s book for a spark of joy

• Or write to your younger self—what would they love to read?

Just don’t give up.

There’s a child out there waiting to laugh, dream, or feel seen because of your story. That’s worth pushing through the tough days.

🌱 Final Thought: Discipline Isn’t Cold—It’s Courage

Consistency doesn’t mean forcing perfection. It means showing up, heart open, even when it’s hard.

That’s what makes you a writer—not the perfect sentence, but the decision to keep writing anyway.

So if today is a foggy day for you, I see you. Keep going.

Your story still matters. And you are doing brave, beautiful work.

Gentle always,

Liv

💬 What’s one thing that helps you keep writing when you're stuck? Let’s gather our tricks in the comments—no judgment, just encouragement. 💛

#WritersBlockIsReal#KeepWritingAnyway#OneSentenceAtATime