Five hard truths about writing.

Have you noticed how the internet is awash with advice for new writers?

Every time I open Substack, scroll Instagram or browse Google, up pop posts giving advice on how to become a better writer.

It seems that everyone is looking for a shortcut to becoming a published author, searching for that crucial nugget of information which will take them out of the query slush pile and onto bookshelves.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

There are countless courses on how to write a novel, how to edit your manuscript, how to write a query letter and synopsis. You can get your submission package reviewed, join a creative writing challenge or enter a competition… the list is endless.

Do I resent these popping up in my feed? No!

In truth, I’ve found that writers are the most generous people when it comes to sharing advice for free. I’m following, subscribing, liking so many writing related things, that my browser is bursting with cookies to train the algorithm. Nearly everything I’ve learnt about writing a novel has been from this free advice that authors and writing coaches share about the craft.

But it does worry me that the allure of the dream, to be a published writer, obscures the hard truths that we must face. There is no way to circumnavigate the hard work, the time spent practising, no matter how many cheat-sheets you follow.

Emulating the habits or writing routings of a successful author won’t help you actually put words on the page. These are the five hard truths I’ve learnt as a beginner writer.

1. You have the time to write if you stop watching TV and doom scrolling.

I know, I know. No one wants to hear this. The reason you are struggling to find time to write is not because you have no time (okay, some of us really do have no time!) but because you choose to spend your downtime doing something other than writing. I’m not judging. I do it to.

But when I wrote my debut novel, I barely watched TV and I didn’t even start my public social media until I was at the editing stage.

Why?

Because I’m a working parent with hobbies, friends and responsibilities. If I cut back on the things that bring me joy, I would be too miserable to write. But if I cut out TV and doom scrolling, I can still be happy and also find the time to write (which makes me even happier).

2. Perfection is the enemy of creation.

My Substack account was set up for six months before I posted anything. Why? Because I was absolutely terrified about publishing a post that wasn’t perfect. So instead, I worried and procrastinated and didn’t even write my first post, just in case it wasn’t perfect.

Guess what? When I eventually posted, it didn’t matter that it wasn’t perfect. At least I did it. I created, I shared my thoughts, I put something into the world.

If you are writing a novel, let that first draft be as messy as it needs to be. Don’t overthink it, otherwise you will stifle your creative energy.

3. If you want to improve you have to be able to take criticism.

Of course, any negative critique of your writing will sting. Particularly if the feedback touches a nerve, perhaps something that you are secretly thinking yourself. You are allowed to feel annoyed, upset, or downright angry. Just give yourself the space and time to feel those feelings before returning to the feedback.

Once you’ve processed, re-visit the feedback and think deeply about how this gold can help you become a better writer. Without it, you can never improve.

A word of advice though – you don’t need to take criticism or feedback from just anyone. You can be picky. Choose your first readers and critique partners wisely and remember that they are only giving you suggestions from their own perspective – you don’t have to agree or take all their thoughts on board.

4. For your reader to connect you need vulnerability and authenticity on the page.

You don’t have to write about your personal experiences or private thoughts for the readers to connect, but your characters must be emotionally vulnerable and behave in ways that are authentic to who you say they are.

However, you won’t be able to bring that to the page if you aren’t able to sit in your own vulnerability, and if you haven’t developed your own authentic voice.

Voice I hear you cry (or sob)… how do I develop that? If I knew the answer to that conundrum, I’d be making millions from my own writing course!

5. To become a better writer, you must read widely and passionately.

I think this goes without saying, but sometimes when you are spending all your spare time writing or learning how to write, it can fall by the wayside. Read in your genre, read outside of your genre, read fiction and non-fiction. Study all types of writing, learn what you like and why you like it.

The more you read, and the more widely you read, the better you will be at understanding story structure, and editing your own work.

The reality of the publishing industry, whether you follow the trad or indie route, is that there are more aspiring writers than there are books published each year. That’s without adding in the word ‘successful’, or even refining it to ‘writers making a living from their craft’.

So, if there aren’t any shortcuts, where does that leave us?

With what we have inside to get us through: patience, perseverance and persistence. And don’t forget to lean on the people around you.

As for me, I’m still navigating these hard truths!

Want to read more? Here’s one from the archives. Five life-changing quotes that fuelled my writing journey

Are there any hard truths about writing that you have learnt?

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