If you find writing difficult, it may help to identify why. Do you worry about what others might think? Are you afraid to break the rules? Is it hard to find the time? Once you have pinpointed the difficult aspects of writing, you can take steps to address those aspects, rather than thinking that writing as a whole is hard. Here are a few common writing problems, and suggestions for how to address them:

• If you don’t like typing or are more coherent while speaking…create a voice recording and have it transcribed. Digital voice recording programs are readily available, and transcription services are fairly inexpensive. Experiment to see which programs and services work best for you.
• If you struggle with awkward punctuation or wording…try restructuring sentences. For example, “I put the pot on the stove that had the chicken in it that I was making for dinner” can become, “The pot contained the chicken I was making for dinner; I put it on the stove.”
• If you feel like you “don’t know what to write”…develop an outline before sitting down in front of a blank page. Using an outline plus completed research, all you’ll have left to do is fill in the blanks.
• If you lose focus…write your main theme or idea on a sticky note, and put it on your computer. When you start to veer off track, look at the note and ask yourself if what you’re writing is in alignment with your message.
• If you think of writing as an uphill battle…try not to write when you’re feeling like it’s a chore. Wait until you are inspired, motivated, or at least alert. Do whatever works best for you to get in the right frame of mind, whether it’s taking a walk, drinking some coffee, or doing some practice writing.

What makes writing seem hard for you, and how do you overcome it?

About the Author: Karen Marcus, M.A. is a Northern Colorado copywriter who has been helping clients in a wide range of industries to put their best word forward for 13 years. Click here for contact info.