The Writing Advice You Should Ignore (Especially If You Love Sleep)

You've been told a lie: that the secret to mastering writing is simply to write more. 

Pour more words onto the page. Push past writer's block by sheer volume. Sounds intuitive, right? But what if I told you that's not just ineffective - it could actually set your writing skills back? 

Let's dissect this myth, shall we?

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The False Promise of Volume

Picture this: It's 5 AM, the world is quiet, and you're sitting there with your coffee, ready to hit your daily word count target. 

You've committed to writing 1,000 words a day because, well, that's what they say successful writers do. But day after day, as you mechanically churn out words, you realize something unsettling. Your writing isn't getting better; it's just getting done. The truth is, without focusing on the quality of your practice, you're merely reinforcing bad habits at best. Writing well isn't about the number of words you can produce but about each word's impact and precision. 

Here's what to do next: start focusing on one key aspect of your writing each week. This week, it could be dialogue, next week, setting descriptions. Measure improvement not by word count but by the richness of your content.

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The NaNoWriMo Trap

Let's talk about National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo. 

It's like a marathon, where the aim is to cross the finish line of 50,000 words in just one month. It's thrilling, it's fun, but let's be real, it's not particularly nurturing for your writing prowess. This sprint often results in 50,000 words of… well, let's just call it a draft needing significant surgery. 

The frenzy of NaNoWriMo emphasizes quantity over quality, which might leave you with a massive manuscript but not necessarily a better one. 

If you're considering this annual challenge, use it instead to practice specific writing skills. Focus each day's session on enhancing different elements of your storytelling, such as character development on Mondays and tension on Tuesdays.

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The Cycle of Stagnation

Here's the brutal truth: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity - especially in writing. 

If you write daily without a strategic plan or feedback, you're likely entrenching poor writing habits. Break the cycle by integrating deliberate practice into your routine. After each writing session, take a moment to review your work critically or, better yet, have it reviewed by someone else. Adjust your approach based on this feedback. 

This will help you evolve from simply writing a lot to writing well.

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Seeking Genuine Growth

To genuinely elevate your writing, it's crucial to adopt a structured approach to learning and feedback. 

My programs are designed precisely for this - to guide you beyond the common pitfalls of redundant writing practices. Each module focuses on a different aspect of writing, combined with practical feedback loops from seasoned writers. Imagine improving not just your word count but your ability to captivate and engage your readers.

Ready to break free from the writing myths holding you back? 

Embrace a method that champions quality and growth. For those ready to take their writing to the next level, here's a simple way to start: focus on one writing element each session, use specific feedback to refine your technique, and always aim for clarity and impact over sheer volume.

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The final word…

Let's cut to the chase: you want to write not just more but better. 

You want your words to land, to resonate, to linger in the minds of your readers. If you're tired of the run-around and ready for real progress, I'm here to guide you. Dive deeper into these strategies and more by signing up for The Outlaw Writer newsletter. 

Get ready to transform your writing from mundane to mind-blowing - one word at a time. 

Are you in?