A Novice Writer’s Battle: Why Writing Isn’t Meant to Be Easy by Iman Llompart
Let’s welcome back Iman Llompart as she shares with us “A Novice Writer’s Battle: Why Writing Isn’t Meant to Be Easy” Enjoy!
***
Drowning in Knowledge, Yet Still Anxious
I’ve attended and watched countless writing workshops and classes: Show vs. Tell, How to Get Out of Your Own Way, 5 Steps to Edit Your Book, 5 Ways to Create a Unique and Compelling Backstory; the list goes on. You’d think that after absorbing all this knowledge, I wouldn’t feel a surge of anxiety every time the blinking cursor stares back at me.
The Overthinker’s Trap
There’s so much information out there that it can feel limitless. And when you’re a natural overthinker, it’s hard to figure out how to apply analytical solutions to something as fluid and intuitive as creativity. Like trying to force opposite magnets together, it just doesn’t connect.
Yes, analytical thinking has its place, especially in editing, but when there’s no clear blueprint for getting from point A to point Z, it’s easy to lose your inner voice. The one that instinctively knows what needs to come next.
The Relief of Realization
Then, one day while sifting through the internet, I stumbled across something that made me pause, and exhale.
Writing isn’t meant to be easy.
I’d suspected that. It never felt easy for me. But another quote popped up that really hit me: “If you’re having fun while writing, you’re doing it wrong.”
Isn’t Writing Supposed to Be Fun?
I always thought it was supposed to be fun. I’ve heard bestselling authors talk about how much they enjoy the process, so I just assumed that would be the case for me too.
Hard? Sure. But fun, wasn’t that the reward?
Reading that line gave me unexpected relief. Because honestly? I wasn’t having fun. Not all the time. Yes, there are moments of excitement, joy, even thrill, but a lot of it is uncomfortable. And now I understood why.
Complexity Is the Goal
Writing isn’t meant to be easy because it’s full of contradictions. It forces you to think, to examine, to wrestle with ideas that don’t always want to cooperate. That kind of mental and emotional effort reveals complexity, and with complexity comes challenge.
The Emotional Toll of Honesty
If you want to write something honest, something that resonates, you have to dig deep. Into your characters, yes, but especially into yourself. That kind of vulnerability isn’t just risky. It can be painful. Cathartic later, sure,but in the moment? It can feel like exposing wounds you didn’t know were still open.
But here’s the beautiful part: as your characters grow, you grow with them. If you’re not evolving through the writing process, maybe you’re not doing it right.
Effort Doesn’t Equal Failure
We tend to believe that if something is easy, it means we’re doing well. That we’re on the right path. But with writing, it’s the opposite. The effort is what makes it meaningful. The struggle is what creates depth.
Let It Simmer
You can’t rush a book. You can’t force connections that aren’t there yet. It has to marinate in your mind, slowly, and intentionally, until all the pieces come together. When you rush it, you end up with scattered moments instead of a cohesive story.
The Shift from Fun to Fulfillment
When you first thought of your book idea, did you think: This will be fun to write?
That’s how I started, too.
But now, I’m more intentional.
I begin with the understanding that this will take time. That the flow won’t always be there. That effort will be required.
Because nothing worth having is meant to be easy.
And this? This is worth it.
***
About The Author
Iman Llompart is a Spanish American writer based in Dubai, raised in Mexico, and currently navigating the final stages of the rough draft of an epic fantasy romance novel. Passionate about storytelling and the writing process, Iman understands the struggles that many novice writers face—the self-doubt, the isolation, and the challenge of completing a book. Through blog posts, insights, and personal experiences, Iman seeks to remind fellow writers that they are not alone on this journey.
When not writing, Iman enjoys reading, deep-diving into writing sessions and lessons, and watching book-based shows and movies. Occasionally, she also braves the unpredictable world of dating—an adventure that sometimes feels more daunting than crafting an entire novel. With a love for words and a mission to inspire, Iman hopes to one day share her finished manuscript and continue helping others through the power of storytelling.
