Top 5 Writing Tips To Help You Out Of A Funk
Writing advice and most advice in general is like Russian roulette, you do not know if it will be life changing or if it makes you want to slap the person who gave it. Honestly, sometimes hearing things like ‘just write more’ or ‘know your theme’ and finally ‘plot your entire book first’ makes a writer want to drop their pen faster than their low fat oat milk vanilla latte. I’ve been there, minus the latte. So today I am going to stand on my soap box once more and share 5 bits of writing advice that is actually helpful.
PSA: Before diving in, there is always one thing I like to chant when giving, or receiving writing advice, and that is: “Your only job as a writer is to write the story that you want to read”. We have Timothy Hickson to thank for that one.
One - Keep Showing Up
I said it once and I’ll say it again. Keep showing up! Showing up each and every day to your writing can help you move mountains of progress. If you show up everyday it does not matter how much you write because a little builds up to a lot over time. You can honestly sit down and write 300 words and call it a day because you know your rear will be back in that chair the next day writing another 300 words or more. Never ever ever set a word count for yourself, I can’t stop expressing how important this is. So many guides will say you need to set a minimum and maximum but its flat out incorrect. Setting a min and max for yourself allows two things to happen:
You don’t hit your minimum so your distraught and take a few days off.
You hit your maximum and feel fantastic so you reward yourself with a few days off.
No matter what you do, its likely your brain will tell you to take some time off, and in “Master Of Change” by Brad Stulberg this is what he calls ‘fake fatigue’. Your brain is telling you that your tired or that you need a break while you actually don’t, and it would be better to push through it. Finding out what is real or fake fatigue takes some practice but the insight is still strong.
Keep showing up, build that neuroplasticity, and watch that book write itself in front of you.
PS: Want more from “Master Of Change?” I talk about it on my podcast, give it a listen.
Two - Engage With The Writing Community
You are not alone, there is an entire community of writers out there that are more than willing to help you on your own quest. We all have been there, and a lot of us wish we engaged with other writers sooner. I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with a group of aspiring writers during my time on campus pursuing my degree. While many of them were focused on writing politics or what I term protest literature, there are a select few whom I still maintain regular contact with, engaging in valuable feedback exchanges.
There are also services out on the web that offer a place for writers to meet and motivate each other. One you likely already know about is NaNoWriMo. While this kind of contradicts my ‘don’t set a min or max’ rant as this site pushes for an entire book done in a month and I seen lots of people burn out from it, what NaNoWriMo does offer is a great community of writers who constantly share their experience and feedback. And while you don’t have to take part in their writers month challenge, it is a good place to poke your head into if your looking to find likeminded individuals.
Three - Writing Is Work, Don’t Downplay It.
It is really easy for writers to downplay the act of writing. People looking in from the outside, and maybe those on the older side of things, so easily criticize and insult writers calling us lazy or unskilled. This is amplified if you are living with your parents or family who just don’t get it. The notion of toiling in a sweatshop and receiving meager wages in pursuit of the 'American dream' is, notably, a thing of the past. We now inhabit an era centered on creativity—a concept that eludes many who experienced the bygone era of the said American dream.
If you ever find yourself in the midst of individuals who lack an understanding of the true nature of writing and the immense challenges it entails, remember not to allow them to diminish the significance of your work. Writing is a vocation, and you should take pride in grasping the pen—it is a noble endeavor. It will make the feeling when you hold your work physically in your hands all that better when you look back on those who doubted you.
Four - Write When Your Inspired But Don’t Wait For It
This matter is open to fervent debate and ultimately hinges on individual perspective. Write when you feel inspired, but don't passively await inspiration, for it may never come. I say ‘write when your inspired’ because for me, that’s when my best work presents itself. After I watch a movie that brings me to tears or is utterly badass, or if I get done playing a fantastic story driven game these are times where I need to write because the ideas are coming smoothly and the Muses seem to be controlling my pen that day. Though, if I only ran off this schedule I would have weeks or months of not writing in-between a few hours of peak inspiration. So as the popular leadership teacher and author Jocko Willink says: “You have to find a balance between these two dichotomies”.
When inspiration strikes, seize the pen and let your creativity flow, but don't rely solely on those fleeting moments—consistently show up and dedicate yourself to your craft. And we land all the way back to number one, see how important showing up is?
Five - First, make it exist. Second, make it make sense. Third, make it good
I was struggling to find this last bit of advice until I found myself scrolling on reddit and bumped into a comment that perfectly encapsulates what I tell myself every time I start writing. Hence the title of this section. It is so powerful to get yourself to fully understand this, and It did not click for me until I heard my favorite author say the exact same thing but in slightly different words. Pierce Brown who is blowing up in the science fiction space due to his Red Rising series (seriously, it even has its own convention) said in an interview, and I’m paraphrasing: “The first draft I sent to my editor and they thought I was on crack. That first draft never saw the light of day”. Pierce brought it into existence, then crafted its coherence, perfected its quality, and finally dispatched it. In other words: first, make it exist. Second, make it make sense. Third, make it good.
When your writing your first draft do not think it is meant to be good. It’s not. The first draft is meant to get things from your head on paper. The second and third draft is where you make it good, closer to what you had in mind. It is a common experience that what we have in our brain is not at all what comes out on paper, that’s why we revise! Give yourself the space to understand the first draft is going to suck, it should help take some pressure off your shoulders. The perfection mindset can come later, first simply get it on paper.
Common Bad Writing Advice To Stay Away From
Now that we went over some of the best writing advice I encountered and follow, why not list some of the bad ones? In a sense, it is kind of comedic to read some of these as it reeks of coming from people who are not writers themselves.
Write what you know: While personal experiences can add authenticity, this advice can limit creativity. Don't be afraid to explore unfamiliar topics and do research.
Show, don't tell: While "showing" is crucial, sometimes "telling" is necessary for pacing or conveying information efficiently. Finding the right balance is key. I am personally infected with this one due to outdated resources while getting my degree. I am still trying to break out of this mold, sometimes telling is needed. You can’t always show, that would sound off at times when telling is required.
Kill your darlings: While it's essential to edit and revise, not every cherished line needs to be axed. Sometimes, those darlings contribute unique elements to your writing.
Write for your audience: Trying to please everyone can dilute your voice. Write the story you're passionate about; your authentic voice will resonate with the right audience.
Write in a specific genre to be successful: Success can come from diverse genres. Don't limit yourself; explore different genres if that's where your creativity takes you.
Never use adverbs: While overusing adverbs can weaken writing, a well-placed adverb can add nuance. Use them judiciously rather than eliminating them altogether.
Follow a strict structure: While structures like the three-act model are useful, rigid adherence may stifle creativity. Experiment with different structures to find what works for your story. For example, while writing Earthborn I follow the hero’s journey literary structure but instead of following it strictly I made my own version of it that fits my needs.
Write what's popular: Trends change, and attempting to chase what's popular may lead to insincere writing. Focus on your unique voice and vision instead.
The abundance of misguided advice is never-ending, with some suggestions diametrically opposed to conventional teachings in college or public school. This stark contradiction can be unnerving upon reflection. Nonetheless, ultimately, discover what resonates best for you and unleash your creativity into the world. Society is in dire need of more of it.
Conclusion
I trust that this guidance will prove valuable in your creative endeavors. Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary journey, but by consistently immersing yourself in the craft, seeking connections with fellow writers, and incorporating additional insights from this compilation, you are poised to enhance your writing experience. Should you find this blog beneficial, I encourage you to explore more of my content and to stay updated on future releases, consider subscribing to my free newsletter. Your readership is immensely appreciated. Thank you for your support!
