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Writing Resistance: How to Overcome the Hidden Obstacles to Writing

October 12, 2018
WRITING RESISTANCE:
How to Overcome the hidden Obstacles To Writing

— a podcast episode —

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Inside Creative Writing

Table Of Contents Why Writing Resistance Happens (And How to Break Through It) Formatted & Edited Transcript Keep Writing, Even When Resistance Hits Share This Resource Why Writing Resistance Happens (And How to Break Through It)

Struggling to write? You’re not alone. Resistance is one of the biggest obstacles writers face, keeping them from making progress on their stories. In this episode of Inside Creative Writing, we break down what resistance looks like, why it happens, and—most importantly—how to push through it and get words on the page.

By the End of This Episode, You Will…
  • Understand what writing resistance is and why it happens.
  • Identify the hidden fears and self-doubt fueling your resistance.
  • Discover proven techniques to break through creative blocks.
  • Learn how structure and small writing habits can help you keep momentum.
  • Feel more confident in your ability to keep writing, even when resistance strikes.

Listen to the full episode or skim the edited transcript with relevant links below. At Inside Creative Writing, we don’t just teach theory—we focus on practical, hands-on storytelling techniques that help you get real words on the page.

Formatted & Edited Transcript The Hidden Struggle of Writing Resistance

Resistance to writing is something every writer faces, but it often doesn’t show up in obvious ways. Instead, it disguises itself as productivity—outlining endlessly, researching, or tweaking sentences without making real progress. We convince ourselves that these activities are necessary when, in reality, they are just sophisticated ways of avoiding the hard work of getting words on the page.

Writing resistance is particularly insidious because it tricks us into feeling like we are accomplishing something. Have you ever spent hours reorganizing your workspace, color-coding your notes, or refining your story idea without actually writing? That’s resistance at work. It’s a powerful force that finds ways to derail our writing, often under the guise of making our work better.

Recognizing Resistance in Your Process

One of the most common forms of writing resistance is the belief that we need the perfect conditions to write. We tell ourselves that we need a quiet space, a long stretch of uninterrupted time, or the perfect inspiration. But if we wait for those ideal conditions, we may never write at all.

Another sneaky form of resistance is what I call “preparation overload.” This happens when we convince ourselves that we need just a little more research, just one more book on craft, or just the right software before we can start. While preparation is important, it can quickly become an excuse for not actually writing.

How Resistance Masquerades as Productivity

Have you ever spent an entire writing session agonizing over a single paragraph, tweaking and revising until it’s just right? That might feel like writing, but often it’s resistance in disguise. First drafts are meant to be messy. The more we tinker too early in the process, the more we let resistance slow us down.

Another way writing resistance appears is through “busy work.” We convince ourselves that redesigning our writing website, updating our social media, or reading another book on writing is just as valuable as writing itself. While these tasks may have their place, they should never replace actual writing time.

Strategies to Overcome Writing Resistance

The best way to beat resistance is to write anyway—despite the distractions, doubts, and excuses. One powerful technique is setting a timer for a short, focused session and committing to writing without stopping. Even if you only write a few sentences, you are actively pushing through resistance.

Another helpful strategy is setting process-based goals rather than outcome-based ones. Instead of aiming to write a perfect chapter, commit to writing for a set amount of time or reaching a specific word count. This shifts the focus from perfection to progress.

Accountability also plays a huge role in overcoming writing resistance. Joining a writing group, setting up check-ins with a friend, or even publicly committing to your goals can help keep resistance at bay. The more external support you have, the harder it is for resistance to take control.

Wise Words

This week’s wise words come from Steven Pressfield, who famously wrote about resistance in The War of Art:

“Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure, fabricate; it will seduce, bully, cajole. Resistance will assume any form, if that’s what it takes to deceive you. It will reason with you like a lawyer or jam a nine-millimeter in your face like a stickup man. Resistance will pledge anything to get a deal, then double-cross you as soon as your back is turned. If you take resistance at its word, you deserve everything you get. Resistance will not be reasoned with. It is always lying and always full of shit.”

Powerful words. Resistance is a liar, and the only way to defeat it is to recognize it for what it is and refuse to let it control your writing.

Weekly Challenge

This week’s challenge is to identify your biggest source of writing resistance and confront it head-on. Ask yourself: What excuses do I make that keep me from writing? Is it the need for perfect conditions? The pull of busy work? The endless cycle of revision?

Once you’ve identified your main resistance trap, commit to a small but meaningful action that directly counters it. If you wait for the perfect time to write, commit to writing in imperfect conditions. If you over-research, set a strict limit on how much preparation you do before drafting. The goal is to take action, however small, and prove to yourself that writing resistance doesn’t have to win.

Let’s break through resistance together. Happy writing!

Keep Writing, Even When Resistance Hits

The best way to overcome writing resistance is to build momentum, and structure is a key part of that process. If you’re struggling to start (or finish) your novel, check out our How to Write a Novel guide. It’s designed to help you stay motivated, organized, and on track—all without stifling your creativity.

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