How to Stay Motivated When Writing Gets Hard

This episode of The Christian Publishing Show tackles the deep emotional struggle many authors face when motivation fades during the writing process. Host Thomas interviews Brian Hicks, a veteran in author coaching and founder of The Motivated Author community, who shares hard truths about perseverance, spiritual discipline, and the real nature of calling. Drawing from Scripture, historical figures like Van Gogh and Paul, and personal anecdotes, Brian dismantles myths about divine timing, open doors, and instant success. He emphasizes that God’s call often involves hard work, rejection, and years of obscurity—mirroring the lives of biblical heroes. The core message is that motivation is fleeting, but purpose is enduring: authors should write not for fame or financial reward, but because they are called to do the good works God has prepared in advance. Practical advice includes starting small with short stories, embracing critique, reframing rejection, avoiding comparison, and cultivating daily discipline through tiny, consistent actions. The episode concludes with a powerful metaphor: every day is a choice between an apple and a Butterfinger—small decisions that compound into life-changing results over time.