Welcome back to the GRIT series! Are you hanging in there? As a creator, you’ll face countless hurdles. Self-doubt, writer’s block, and those days when you’d rather do anything except write (hello, Netflix). But here’s the thing—successful writers don’t stop when things get tough. They keep pushing forward. They embrace the grind and get stuff done. So, how do you become that kind of writer? The kind who doesn’t let a bad day or an empty page stop them?

Here are 5 tenacious strategies that’ll help you write even when the going gets tough:

1. Stay stubborn

Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to start a project with a burst of enthusiasm, but the real challenge comes with staying consistent—especially when life gets busy, or your motivation starts to dip. Set a realistic writing schedule and stick to it, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day. Write in small bursts or set word count goals. The key is consistency, not perfection. Show up every day, even if the words don’t flow. The more you write, the easier it becomes.

2. Frequently fail

We all hate to fail, but failure is an essential part of writing. Whether it’s a first draft that needs major revisions or a plot twist that doesn’t land, failure can be your best teacher. A tenacious writer views every misstep as an opportunity to improve. Instead of getting discouraged, review your work critically and ask, What can I do better next time? Rewriting, editing, and revising can feel painful, but remember: every great writer has faced rejection and failure. What matters is getting back up and trying again.

3. Write whenever

Writer’s block is every writer’s worst enemy. But guess what? The best way to defeat writer’s block is to simply…write. Sounds simple, right? But it’s easy to get caught in the perfectionist trap where you feel like everything needs to be flawless. Push through the mental barriers by telling yourself, “I’m just going to write, no matter what.” Write without worrying about the quality. The goal is to build momentum, not produce perfect prose. You can always edit later. Let your creativity flow without judgment and see where it takes you.

4. Learn to love the grind

Writing isn’t always glamorous. There will be days when the words feel slow, and you’ll want to give up. But tenacious writers know that writing is a process—a grind, sometimes. And that’s okay. You’re building something that’s worth the effort. Embrace the daily work of writing, even when it doesn’t feel “fun.” Whether you’re pushing through a tough scene or tackling a difficult revision, keep reminding yourself that every step, even the frustrating ones, gets you closer to your goal. If you love the process, the results will follow.

5. Get after those goals

Sometimes, looking at the full scope of a writing project can be overwhelming. The idea of finishing a novel, short story, or script can feel like staring up at Mount Everest. That’s where small, manageable goals come in. Tenacity isn’t about taking on everything at once; it’s about taking one step at a time. Break your project into bite-sized chunks. Aim for a set word count each day, or target a specific scene or chapter to finish in a week. Celebrate those small wins! Each completed goal brings you closer to your larger goal. And if you slip up? That’s okay—just keep going.

Conclusion

Being a tenacious writer is all about mindset. Instead of seeing obstacles as roadblocks, see them as opportunities to push through and improve. Whether you’re writing for 10 minutes a day or tackling your first draft with determination, the most important thing is to keep moving forward. No matter how slow the progress feels. So, embrace the grind, trust the process, and keep writing. The world needs your words.