How to Deal with Rejection: Simple Ways to Bounce Back
April 16, 2026How to Deal with Rejection: Simple Ways to Bounce Back
April 16, 2026
Writer’s Mindset Explained: Simple Habits for Beginners
You get excited to write a novel, but you get demotivated after a few days? You are not the only one, nearly all beginners have passed through this. It may be annoying, even demeaning, but it is common in this process. The reality is that it is not only talent that matters when it comes to success in fiction writing, but also creating the mindset to be a writer.
When you know how to get motivated and continue to be better as a writer, you will be able to complete your first draft and improve it with each draft. The process requires you to write on a daily basis and maintain your focus on your future goals and work toward achieving progress instead of reaching complete success.
What does it mean?
The mindset of the writer is how you think, how you feel and how you approach your writing journey. It does not mean that you have to be inspired every time, it’s just about being present, even when you don’t feel like writing. In the case of beginner writing, such a mindset comes with
- Accepting that your first draft will not be perfect.
- Understanding the fact that writing is a skill that can be developed.
- Being steady, despite minor improvements.
- Accepting that making mistakes makes you learn and improve.
- Accepting it as a new skill, you can improve only through practice.
Your mindset is more important when you are writing fiction, particularly novels, as it is time-consuming and needs patience and discipline. In simple terms, it’s about the discipline, not the mood to write. You don’t become a writer only after you finish your first novel, but it’s at the moment you start writing regularly.
The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Develop a Mindset of a Writer.
The steps below are to follow until your preferred writing quality is achieved. The following are quite easy, convenient methods that you can stick to on a routine basis.
Step 1: Have Small, Specific Writing Goals.
There is no need to make a goal to write a novel initially, it can be too difficult. Rather, try as follows,
- Write 300–500 words per day
- Or write 20-30 minutes per day.
Small targets are easy to follow and setting a simple writing routine. You can start with simple ideas from your story, which are easy to write, when you are not sure what to write.
Step 2: Concentrate on Improvement, Not perfection.
Beginners quit too soon since they feel that their writing is not good. When you are starting to write your first drafts, it’s only for story completion, not to think of it as your final manuscript. Tell yourself,
- “I will write and I will complete my story first.”
You cannot edit your grammar when writing the first draft. Editing is another step. You should only concentrate on getting the words out when you write.
Step 3: Develop a Basic Writing Practice.
Select a time that you will be able to follow daily.
- Morning before work
- Evening before bed
- Just 20 minutes a day is enough.
Write when you are in your right frame of mind, some write in the morning, some in the evening. Find what works for you. Make your writing environment as bare as possible, a quiet room, few distractions and make everything simple so that you can get done on your goals.
Remember, momentum is created by consistency and motivation is created by momentum. Don’t break the Chain of the daily writing habit. One day you may fail, do not surrender, but get up the following day with a feeling of confidence. A single day getting off is ok, but don’t quit.
Step 4: Process of Writing.
You need not learn all before you begin your writing. Instead,
- Write your story
- Learn a little of something each day (dialogue, pacing, etc.).
- Apply it immediately
Step 5: Get used to welcoming self-doubt.
All authors are unsure when they write, even experienced authors face this. Rather than stopping, say,
- “This is part of the process.”
Whatever, keep on your writing.
Step 6: Keep track of your progress.
Make a simple sheet containing,
- Word count
- Days you wrote
- Chapters completed
When you see this every day, you know you are progressing and it keeps you moving further.
Step 7: Reading and studying fiction.
Good writers are good readers and read novels in your genre and ask,
- Why this opening of the story by the author?
- How are the characters developed?
Most beginners start writing their stories, but only a few finish the first draft. The thing that makes you a writer when you finish your first draft, however messy it may be.
Examples/Mini Tips
We will make this more simple with these couple of examples.
Example 1: The Low Motivation Day Trick.
If you are feeling tired and do not want to write. Instead of skipping, the day, write just 100 words. In the majority of cases, you will find yourself writing more than that. The most difficult is to begin the day and once you write, you get the momentum automatically.
Example 2: Improving One Skill at a Time
You are describing a scene, but you have trouble describing it. Rather than getting worried and stuck about it, focus on making it better in that scene. You shouldn’t have to attempt to fix everything at once. Improve a single skill at a time.
Mini Tips
- Write it first, revise it later.
- Do not judge your work with published authors.
- Keep the language simple, clarity is more important than words.
- Celebrate little achievements (like completing a scene, a page, etc.)
Be satisfied with your gradual progress and that is how true development happens.
Common Mistakes Made By Beginners
These are simple traps that many beginners fall into, however, when you realise these traps, they become simpler to correct it. These are some of the traps of mindset to be aware of:
1. Waiting for Inspiration
If you wait for inspiration to write, it comes rarely and then you write rarely. Better develop a writing routine and it gives you inspiration.
2. Attempting to Be Perfect in the First Draft.
If you want to make your first draft perfect, then it slows you down and kills your motivation. Allow yourself to write a messy first draft.
3. Making Comparisons With others.
When you compare yourself with great novel writers, it can discourage you. You have only to compare your work with your previous writing.
4. Quitting Too Early
There are many beginner writers who have quit before even the first chapter ends. This is because of evaluating their work then and there. Concentrate on your completion, not on evaluating.
5. Learning Too Much without Writing.
It is good to watch videos and read tips, but that is not enough. Just watching or reading doesn’t help, apply it then and there in your writing.
6. Overwriting With No Rest.
Writing without rest or without taking breaks results in burnout. This is known as Excessive writing and it should be avoided to the maximum. Take short breaks but not the break that breaks your routine.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
Final thought
The most crucial thing when on your writing journey is to build the mindset of a writer. You do not have to have flawless ideas or flawless skills. You simply need to,
- Show up regularly
- Keep writing
- Make things better over time.
Motivation is temporary, but your mindset is what keeps you going. Keep in mind, all the great novelists began as amateurs. Be patient, be consistent and above all, keep writing.
Begin now, even a paragraph.
Learn how to start writing a book, stay motivated while writing it and How to Deal with Rejection
Writing can feel lonely sometimes. Why not join me on Patreon? I share a mix of both free and premium writing content there and I’d love to have you there!
