There’s Only One Rule For Writing

…write.

Far too many writers become entangled in looking for a "magic potion" that will somehow miraculously make them A Writer. Instead of getting around to the actual writing, you buy books on writing, join several writing groups online, and Google published authors’ websites for months, in search of that nugget of gold that will tell you how to be published.

If you’ve been sucked into this cyclone, listen up. I have a very important piece of advice to share with you. Ready…?

You MUST write.

Wasting your time on endless Internet searches and discussions on writing will never get that novel written. It simply kills valuable time that could be used for writing.

It’s okay to want to learn more about the craft of writing. You should want to learn more. It’s fine to join other writers to discuss the writing life. You need that social interaction with like-minded people. But at some point, you have to understand that you can sit around and read about or talk about writing for years and never write a single word. Where will that get you? Nowhere….fast.

Prime your writing pump.

I understand where you are because I’ve been there myself. You are so worried about writing "right" that you don’t write at all (or very little). You must learn to put the concept of "right" writing out of your head. There is no such thing as "right" when it comes to writing. There is only the writing itself.

If you’re still scared, start small. Write a snippet or two here and there today. Bring a notebook with you and jot down a detailed scene of what’s happening around you. Write a "Roses are red, Violets are blue…" poem.

The best place to start is right where you are. You’ve played hard-to-get with the writing for long enough. Pick up your pen, or open up a new document and get busy writing.