13 Fundamental Questions to Ask Yourself as a Writer

Life is not always straightforward. Writers who are courageous ask themselves enough of the right questions to better understand themselves, their purpose, and their career prospects.

If you aspire for success and longevity in the writing business, you also need to ask yourself some fundamental questions—and answer them honestly. This will help you to make the right decisions and take the right actions that bring your desired outcomes.

Here are some fundamental and thought-provoking questions you should ask yourself as a writer:

1. Am I really cut out to be a writer?

Not everyone is cut out to be a writer. Listen to that little voice in your gut and you will know if you were truly meant to write.

2. What excuses am I making for not writing?

Writing, like any other craft, requires dedication, hard work and effort to grow and develop. If you are good at making excuses, you will hardly be good at anything else—not even writing.

3. What are my biggest fears in writing?

You can either let fear kill your zeal to live a full life, or you can rise above fear and demonstrate courage to reach for your dreams. It’s all up to you.

4. What is the worst that can happen?

Things won’t always go the way you want or plan so it is important to prepare for the stormy days. However, realize that the worst thing that can happen rarely does.

5. How have past rejections affected my self-confidence?

Writers face many rejections. How well you do as a writer will also depend on how well you recover from past rejections and bruised confidences.   

6. What am I doing right now to improve my future?

Every moment is an opportunity to improve your situation and future. If the things you are doing right now are not helping you improve, they are likely hurting you.

7. Am I further along on my project(s) today than yesterday?

You grow and edge closer to realizing your goals and dream by taking little, deliberate actions-steps day by day, over and over for as long as it takes.

8. Based on my daily routines and actions, where can I expect to be in five years?

Your daily routines determine how quickly you can reach your goals and dream. If you feel like you’ve been stuck in the same place for too long, it’s probably time to change your routines. 

9. Are the people around me helping me or hurting me?

As Jim Rohn famously said, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Understand that you are better off alone than surrounded by people who bring you down. 

10. How am I adding value to my readers?

Adding value to others has a ripple effect that brings good fortunes to you. It even feels much better to give than to receive, especially in our world today that is incredibly selfish and opportunistic.

11. What would my life look like if I wasn’t a Writer?

If your heart is in the right place, you will be happy with what you do and who you are right now.

12. Am I pursuing a life of success or a life of meaning?

Happiness and success aren’t always proportional to your paycheck or how many friends you have. They are about something more. You can have all the money in the world and still be miserable.

13. When I look back on my life, will I be one who succeeded at the wrong things?

The last thing you want to do is reach the end of your life and realize you succeeded at all the wrong things. Or, worse, gave up too soon and left an unexpended effort that might have changed the world.

See Also: 5 Things I Do to Motivate Myself to Keep Writing Every Day.