*loves it when Jonathan digs up awesome old threads from before she joined*

I have lots and lots of obstacles. Some are simple laziness -- not too lazy to write, per se, but too lazy to take the effort to think through plot holes and problems. And when that takes more effort, such as when I'm feeling sick, it's harder still. The main way to overcome something like that though is just to plain force yourself. There's no such thing as writer's block, only bad stories and laziness. Hard work will overcome both.

Then I also have the depression that Jenni mentioned. I get in moods -- sometimes after getting criticized, but sometimes just randomly -- where I see every flaw in my writing and am convinced it's horrible and will never amount to anything. Sometimes this is also directed towards a specific work rather than just generally. The general antidote to this is to pray, remembering that God called you to write this story, and He will equip you to do it. And awesomes in chat raving about your writing doesn't hurt, either. *pokeAndrewandMarkpoke*

There's one I haven't managed to overcome yet, though, and that is fear. I read once a question, "What is your biggest fear in your writing?" and I was able to answer after very little thought -- fear that my mom won't like it. See, my mom and I are very different, we disagree on some minor things and have very different tastes in stories. But I love her so much, and care about what she thinks, so I want her to like it -- and no matter what I write, I always find myself thinking about her reading it and wondering if she would like it. I haven't yet figured out how to get over this, but it's something I need to get past, since I think it does inhibit me.

There's your answer, longer than you wanted, Jonathan.

Running Wolf, reading books on creating good characters(Characters make your Story by Maren Elwood is a good book.) is very helpful(to me at least). I'm sure you'll be able to overcome your obstacles soon!

The general antidote to this is to pray,

Laziness? We can fix that... *pokes repeatedly and rapidly*

Yes, this is a very good way to approach writing in general, we all need to do it more!

There's your answer, longer than you wanted, Jonathan.

How do you know it was longer than I wanted?

I shall continue to rave and help you fight the obstacle. (I like this job )