Lessons From The Writing Journey
Lessons from the Writing Journey
Writing isn’t just about getting words on the page—it’s about finding the truth inside them.
Whether you’re just starting out or refining a draft, the real work is in the depth, not just the details. Here are some hard-won lessons I’ve learned along the way.
- Start Writing Before You’re Ready
Waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect mood, or the perfect sentence? Don’t. Clarity comes through writing, not before it. Get messy. Let the first draft be wild. The truth will reveal itself in the process.
- Write Like You’re Telling a Friend
If you’re stuck, imagine you’re telling your story over coffee with someone who truly gets you. How would you say it out loud? Write it that way. Let the words be raw, real, and unfiltered. You can clean them up later.
- Details Make It Real
You don’t need to explain your emotions—show them. Instead of saying “I was terrified, ” try “My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the keys.” The more sensory detail, the more real your story feels.
- Your First Draft Will Be Bad. That’s Good.
Your first draft’s job isn’t to be good—it’s to exist. Don’t overthink it. Write the whole thing, even if it’s terrible. You can’t edit a blank page.
- Tell the Hardest Truths
The best writing comes from the places we’d rather avoid. What’s the part of your story you’re afraid to write? Start there. That’s where the gold is.
- Repetition = Resonance
Pay attention to words, images, or themes that keep showing up in your writing. They’re trying to tell you something. Lean into them. They’re the thread that holds your story together.
- Cut Anything That’s Just for Ego
If you’re keeping a sentence just because it sounds smart or impressive, cut it. Your reader doesn’t care how well you write. They care about how deeply they feel what you’re saying.
- Bonus: Try This Right Now (Break this out as a bonus exercise)
Pick one of these exercises and write for 10 minutes—unedited, uncensored, just letting the words come:
- A Memory That Won’t Let Go: Write about a moment from your life that still lingers. Why do you think it stays with you?
The 5-Sentence Story: Tell a complete story (beginning, middle, and end) in just five sentences.
What You’re Avoiding: What’s a truth about yourself you don’t want to admit? Write about it as if you were telling someone who loves you unconditionally.
If these tips resonate, if you’re ready to go deeper into your story, I’m here to help.
Your words are waiting. Let’s find them.
