How to Keep Writing When Anxiety Takes Over

A WORDSLINGER 10-SHOT How do you keep writing when anxiety takes over? What happens when you love writing, but stress, deadlines, competing priorities, and the pressure to succeed make it almost impossible to sit down and do the work? Even experienced, successful writers struggle with anxiety. And sometimes the biggest obstacle to finishing your book isn't writer's block, a lack of discipline, or a shortage of ideas. It's what's happening inside your own head. In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, bestselling author J. Kevin Tumlinson gets personal about his own struggles with anxiety and shares the practical strategies he's learned to manage stress, quiet his mind, and keep creating even when life feels overwhelming. We'll talk about why worrying about tomorrow can sabotage your productivity today, how to give yourself permission to redefine success, and why sometimes the most productive thing a writer can do is take a nap. You'll also discover how journaling, simple relaxation techniques, and focusing on one task at a time can help you regain control of your creative life. Whether you're working on your first novel, building an author career, or juggling writing with a dozen other responsibilities, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to do everything at once. And you don't have to be perfect to make progress. Anxiety doesn't have to have the final word in your writing career. QUESTION FOR YOU: Do you struggle with anxiety when it comes to writing or creative work? What strategies have helped you manage it? Share your experiences in the comments. I'd love to hear what works for you, and your advice might help another writer! SUBSCRIBE to Wordslinger for honest, practical advice on writing, publishing, book marketing, and building a sustainable creative career. Whether you're just starting your first book or working toward becoming a full-time author, this is your home for guidance, encouragement, and real-world strategies to help you succeed. Visit the Knovelton Bookshop at knoveltonbooks.com GET 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER AT CHECKOUT WITH CODE STORYCUTS TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Welcome to Wordslinger: Let's Talk About Anxiety 00:38 - When Anxiety Gets in the Way of Writing 01:35 - Why Living in the Future Creates Stress 02:29 - Focus on What's Important Right Now 03:10 - Redefining Success and Giving Yourself Grace 05:18 - One Task at a Time: Managing Competing Priorities 06:03 - Front-Loading Work to Reduce Stress 06:34 - A Simple Breathing and Relaxation Technique 07:29 - Releasing Physical Tension and Anxiety 08:04 - How Journaling Helps Writers Manage Stress 09:42 - Getting Anxious Thoughts Out of Your Head 10:09 - When Anxiety Becomes Overwhelming 10:47 - Why a Nap Might Be Your Best Productivity Tool 11:26 - Sleep, Self-Care, and Supporting Each Other 12:18 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement FIND KEVIN: Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com Wordslinger Podcast home page: https://wordslingerpodcast.com Watch Wordslinger on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wordslingershow SERVICES FOR AUTHORS: Polish your writing and make it ready for publishing with ProWritingAid: https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5 Publish your book to every major retailer online, get your book into print and ebook, and get support the whole way at Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger Find a virtual assistant to help you market your books (and more!) at AuthorAnchor: https://authoranchor.com #WritingAdvice #WritingAnxiety #WritersLife #AuthorLife #CreativeWriting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.