Writing a book isn’t just a creative act, it’s a mental marathon. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by the blank page, or spiraling after a tough writing day, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to build mental fitness as a writer. You’ll learn why talent isn’t enough, and how developing emotional resilience, self-trust, focus, and flexibility can keep you moving forward, even when the work feels hard.
I’ll share practical ways to strengthen your mindset, protect your creative energy, and build the kind of inner stamina that helps you not only finish your book, but enjoy the process.
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Episode at a glance:
[02:19] What Is Mental Fitness?
Mental fitness is your mind’s ability to stay clear, calm and resilient under pressure. For writers, it’s about navigating the ups and downs of the creative process, trusting your instincts and believing in your vision of the story. It helps you bounce back faster after setbacks and maintain creative momentum even when motivation and competence dips, which it inevitably will.
[04:24] Emotional Resilience
You want to learn to ride the emotional roller coaster of writing without derailing. Allow yourself to feel frustration or disappointment without giving up. Getting stuck in the middle of your draft simply means that you’re on the verge of your next breakthrough. Be patient and persistent.
[06:17] Faith In Your Vision
Develop trust in your ideas and your instincts. Your first draft doesn’t define your ability. Be selective about the feedback you put to use in your story, especially when several people are chiming in. Use the feedback that resonates for you instinctively, and is in alignment with your vision.
[08:08] Flexibility
You want to stay open to new solutions and directions. Approach your works in progress with curiosity and openness, not a rigid adherence to expectations of genre. The great thing about writing is that it’s not carved in stone, and it’s not glass. It can’t break. It’s malleable. So play and experiment.
[09:42] Focus and Discipline
Create routines and rituals that keep you grounded and productive. Be consistent. You don’t have to write every single day, but you do want to create a routine that keeps you in the game for the long term.
[11:28] Self-Care
A nourished body supports a creative mind. That might mean a walk outside, a nap or a break from looking at your screen. Mental fitness goes hand-in-hand with physical fitness – eating healthy, getting daily movement in, and prioritizing sleep. I’ll share some of my own methods for keeping my mind sharp, calm, and focused.
[13:02] Reset Your Mind
We tend to beat ourselves up with negative self talk. When the inner critic pipes up, respond with awareness and self compassion. Don’t believe your thoughts. Get curious. Ask, “What’s the fear here? What’s the truth?” You want to catch it when you think it, then quickly reframe it.
[14:10] Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Even a half finished book is progress. That messy scene you wrote today? That’s progress. Don’t minimize your accomplishments. The fact that you’re even taking on writing a novel or memoir or short story is a big feat in itself. Instead of looking for the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, look for the gain in how far you’ve come. This is a great way to reframe any self criticism or doubt you may be feeling at any point in the writing process.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan
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