Why You Shouldn’t Follow Every Piece of Writing Advice You Hear👂🏼

Why You Shouldn’t Follow Every Piece of Writing Advice You Hear

Having worked in the writing industry for almost two decades, I’ve heard a plethora of good and bad writing advice. One of the most common things I hear from my clients, especially those just starting, is a sense of guilt for not following “the rules.” You know the ones: Write every day. Write what you know. Wake at dawn to get your word count in. Outline your plot before writing a single word. Don’t edit while you draft.

“Whew.” It can feel overwhelming.

These pieces of advice are everywhere, and I’m guilty of preaching them myself. To be fair, they do work for some people. But writing advice is not one-size-fits-all. What sparks one person’s creativity might derail another’s.

Some may argue that following a routine or outlining is essential for productivity, but I’ve worked with many successful “Pantsers” 👖 (those who write by the seat of their pants). One thing they say is that they find joy in the surprise factor of writing without premeditated plotting.

If it works, I say, keep doing it.

I’ve worked long enough in this industry to know that when advice, even well-intentioned guidance, becomes pressure, it stops being helpful.

For example, writing every day might work for someone with discretionary free time, but for someone juggling work, kids, caring for aging parents, or nurturing their mental health, it can feel overwhelming. And when that happens, the joy of writing can turn into shame or self-doubt.

So, what do you do?

My best advice? First, write the story only you can tell. Lean into your “voice”, your experiences, and your worldview. Almost every story has already been written, but no one else has your perspective or your style. Those are your storytelling superpowers. Tapping into them makes your writing authentic, original, and magnetic.

Second, follow what feels doable, sustainable, and satisfying. Listen to yourself. Experiment. Iterate until you figure out what feels right. See what gets you excited to sit at your computer. If you make mistakes, it’s okay. Learn from them and keep going. Remember all the scientists who erred before finding breakthroughs.

Don’t give up. Please, don’t give up.

Maybe that means only writing once a week. Maybe you draft your chapters out of order. Maybe you revise as you go. Maybe you finish a draft before seeking feedback. Maybe you attend critique groups as you draft along the way. Whatever you decide, there is no wrong way of doing it. If it helps you progress, that’s all that matters.

Third, do what I tell my children: always trust the little voice inside your head 🧠. It knows when something feels right or wrong. That voice is your compass. Follow it, and you’ll rarely fail.

Ultimately, readers, the only “right” writing advice is to do whatever it takes to get you into your writing chair and put prose onto the page.

And if you need some inspiration today, follow this mantra:

Or this one:

Drink coffee, write, repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat…