At the end of 2017, a 5-question Writer Survey was done on the subject of writing goals for the new year. Responses came from nearly every state in the US and we’ve posted the tabulation below.
Have a look and see how you fit in.
Q 1 – Which of the following best describes you as a writer?
Q 2 – What writing goals will you set for 2018?
Q 3 – How many hours a day do you plan on writing?
Q 4 – What do you foresee as your biggest barrier to achieving your 2018 writing goals?
With over 130 answers, there were 5 major barriers that came up as the main blocks to achieving writing goals. These are listed below in ascending order.
8% – were blocked on how to open a story and what to write about
8% – had self-doubt and uncertainty on actually being a writer
17% – already worked very long hours with an existing job and so were unable to fit writing in
21% – time, sleep and supplementary school work (mostly college)
27% – lack of self-discipline – this basically was no more complex than recognizing they were being lazy and lacking drive as a writer
Q 5 – If a famous SF&F author was to address how they overcame their barriers in achieving their writing goals, would you be interested in reading their story?
A full 92% of those filling out their survey absolutely wanted advice from top selling authors. Such advice is readily available from our Contest judges in Writers of the Future who have come on board as judges for the very purpose of providing a helping hand to the up and coming writer.
These professional writers include:
Kevin J. Anderson
Doug Beason
Dr. Gregory Benford
Orson Scott Card
David Farland
Eric Flint
Brian Herbert
Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Nancy Kress
Todd McCaffrey
Rebecca Moesta
Larry Niven
Jody Lynn Nye
Nnedi Okorafor
Tim Powers
Mike Resnick
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Brandon Sanderson
Robert J. Sawyer
Robert Silverberg
Dean Wesley Smith
Sean Williams
With that, we will begin a series of how-to articles from the above writer judges to address the barriers listed in this survey, and to align with the purpose of the Contest:
“A culture is as rich and as capable of surviving as it has imaginative artists…. It is with this in mind that I initiated a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.” —L. Ron Hubbard
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Share this with other aspiring writers. Let them see they aren’t alone with the barriers they are experiencing. They too will be able to use our upcoming how-to articles.
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