Why Most Writers Quit; Why You Won’t

Most people who say they want to be writers won’t stick with it.

Week 4: Why Most Writers Quit; And How to Make Sure You Don’t

Let’s be honest for a minute.

Most people who say they want to be writers won’t stick with it. Not because they aren’t talented. Not because they don’t have good ideas. And not because they aren’t passionate.

They quit because staying the course is hard. Nobody told them just how hard it gets.

And I don’t mean hard in the romantic “Suffering Artist” kind of way. I mean "Grind it out when no one’s watching," "push through rejection," "ignore the inner critic," "write even when you’re tired and busy" kind of hard.

So today’s newsletter is not just a pep talk. It’s a roadmap for how to stay in this for the long haul even when everything inside you is telling you to quit.

Let’s talk about the truth behind why people give up and how to outlast them all.

The Fantasy of "One Day"

Most people start writing with a fantasy.
"One day, I’ll publish a book.”
"One day, someone will discover my talent.”
"One day, writing will be easier.”

But here’s the trap: “One day” never just shows up.

People get frustrated when they don’t hit it fast enough. They expect more progress sooner. So they stall out when:

They finish one story and realize it’s not very good.

They get no response from agents or editors.

They lose motivation halfway through a draft.

Life throws curveballs and writing doesn’t pay the bills.

They think this means they’re not “real writers” But that’s the lie.

Every real writer faces this. The ones who make it just don’t stop.

Reason #1 Writers Quit: They Wait for Permission

No one’s going to officially label you a “writer.”

There’s no golden ticket. No tap on the shoulder.

People stall out waiting for validation:

A publisher to give them a contract.

A mentor to say, “You’ve got it.”

Social media to reward them with likes and shares.

But being a writer isn’t about outside approval. It’s about doing the work, with or without an audience.

Want to stop quitting? Decide you’re a writer now, and act like one.

Reason #2 Writers Quit: They Chase Perfect

Somewhere around page 30, or chapter 5, or draft 2; perfection starts whispering.

“This isn’t good enough.”
“You’re not as talented as so and so.”
“You’ll embarrass yourself.”

And a lot of people listen. They don’t know that perfectionism is just fear wearing nice clothes.

Truth: your first draft will probably suck. Sometimes your tenth draft will too. So what?

Writing is messy, clumsy, and full of doubt. You grow by going through it, not by avoiding it.

If you can learn to be consistent instead of perfect, you’ll outlast 90% of the writers who started the race with you.

Reason #3 Writers Quit: They Expect Speed

We live in a world where fast wins are everything.

Quick views. Instant likes. First drafts done in a weekend.

But writing doesn't reward speed.

It rewards persistence.

Yes, some people get lucky early on. But most of the writers you admire; the ones with long careers and books that matter; they took years.

Years to find their voice. Years to finish that novel. Years to get published. Years to learn how to get better.

If you want to be a writer for life, stop timing yourself.

Don’t measure your success in weeks or months. Measure it in decades.

Reason #4 Writers Quit: They Think Talent Is Enough

This one’s sneaky. A lot of talented people quit because they never learned discipline.

They were praised early on. Told they were gifted. So they didn’t build the habit of writing when it’s hard.

Meanwhile, someone with less raw talent, someone who just showed up every day, kept growing. Got better. Learned to revise. Took feedback. Finished drafts.

It’s not the best writer who wins. It’s the one who keeps writing.

Reason #5 Writers Quit: They Don’t Know What to Do Next

Sometimes it’s not fear or laziness or burnout. It’s confusion.

You finish a project and don’t know what to do with it.

You get rejection letters and don’t know how to respond.

You lose steam and don’t know where to find it again.

When you don’t have a plan, quitting feels like the only option.

So here’s what I suggest:

Always have a next project. Even before the current one is finished. Even if it’s just a loose idea.

Break the work into smaller parts. Don’t say “write a novel.” Say “write 300 words today.”

Stay connected to other writers. Whether it’s one accountability partner or an online group, don’t go it alone.

Confusion is a mood. Clarity is built. Create a system that makes quitting less tempting.

Five Habits That Keep Writers Going

Now that we’ve talked about why people quit, let’s shift the focus to what actually keeps writers going even when it’s tough.

Here are five habits that help you build a lifelong writing life:

1. Write through boredom.

The rush of a new idea wears off. Write anyway.
That’s where the real story begins.

2. Expect setbacks.

Rejections, bad drafts, lost momentum; it’s all normal.
It only becomes a failure if you stop.

3. Track progress, not perfection.

Keep a notebook or calendar of your writing days.
Watch it grow. That’s your real resume.

4. Read like a writer.

Study what works. Take notes. Steal structure.
Reading is how you refill the tank.

5. Talk like you’re in it for life.

Don’t say “I’m trying to write.”
Say “I’m a writer working on my next piece.”

Own it out loud.

The Bottom Line

Most writers quit because they don’t know that writing is supposed to be hard. They hit the struggle and think they’re doing it wrong.

But if it’s hard; if it’s lonely sometimes, frustrating, exhausting, maddening; you’re probably doing it exactly right.

The key is to keep showing up anyway.

Because the only real difference between a writer who quits and a writer who makes it is this:

One kept writing.

Let’s end this week with something simple:

Write down one reason you won’t quit.

Just one.

Put it somewhere you’ll see it when the voice in your head tells you to stop.

And then? Keep going.

You’ve got this.