As a long-time writer, here are 20 myths about writing to overcome writer’s block and become a better storyteller. We’ll dismantle the most popular self-limiting stories about writing to get you back to “flow state” in no time.
If you struggle with your writing consistency… or would like to churn out more frequent blog posts… or just want to enjoy writing again without all that damn pressure… then this post is for you.
There are many misconceptions about writing floating out in the world. The biggest being writer’s block.
But if I learned anything from decades of writing (and reading about writing), it’s this: our brains conjure a lot of bullshit that keep us from writing.
In an interview with Huffpost, Neil Gaiman said:
I don’t really believe in writer’s block, but I absolutely believe in getting stuck. The difference is one is imposed on you by the gods, and one is your own damn fault.
Writer’s block is a mythical condition that links back to self-limiting beliefs. The enormous pressure we put on ourselves as we wrangle abstract beasts like inspiration and motivation. Or just plain burnout. All of which have solutions.
Here are 20 myths about writing to overcome writer’s block and start producing some high-quality content on route to becoming a better writer.
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20 Writing Myths to overcome writer’s block and become a better writer
1. The first draft needs to be good
This is a good place to start. A common saying among writers: stop comparing your first draft to someone’s final draft.
If your first draft is shit, you’re doing great. At least you wrote something down.
From me to Margaret Atwood, the universal writing process goes like this:
Write. Revise, revise, revise, revise. And revise some more.
2. I need to use all the fancy words
When we write, we have high expectations of ourselves to produce gold. We rack our brains for fancy words and, unsurprisingly, come up short.
But if you think of it like building a house, the foundations have to come down first.
Just get your thoughts down. It doesn’t have to be pretty. It doesn’t even need to make sense. The fancy words come later, during revisions, when you have a bit more headspace to party with the thesaurus.
3. My piece should be full of fancy words
To build on the above… don’t go too hard with the thesaurus.
Someone once told me it’s not about what words you use, it’s about how you craft sentences.
Simple sentences carry more power. They’re easier to read. And you get to the point quicker. Don’t try too hard to sound smart, or you’ll end up sounding not smart.
I refer to Joey’s thesaurus speech from Friends:
They’re humid, prepossessing Homo sapiens with full-sized aortic pumps.
Friends, “The One Where Rachel’s Sister Babysits”
4. I should know what I want to say
Don’t be overwhelmed if you go into a piece not knowing everything you want to say. Often, things will flow out of our subconscious.
In fact, this is a large reason why writing is so therapeutic. We articulate our thoughts and emotions with scrutiny to communicate our beliefs. Hence understanding ourselves on a deeper level. Allow this to develop organically, and trust your fingers will know what to do when the time comes.
I’ll insert one of my favorite quotes of all time:
I don’t know what I think until I write it down.
Joan Didion
5. This should be easy
There’s universal agreement among writers that writing is hard. It requires incredible focus and linear thinking… scarce skills in today’s age.
This is how you do it: You sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until its done. It’s that easy, and that hard.
Neil Gaiman
There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s hard. Keep writing.
6. I need to do it in one sitting
When I sit too long, trying to make writing happen, my brain begins to rot. The stories become loud, about how impossible this all is and what an amateur I am.
When all I need is a break.
It’s okay to walk away. This is where our best ideas happen.
7. If it looks like shit, I must be a shitty writer
Refer to myth #1. If it looks like shit, you’re doing great.
Write first. Edit later.
8. I must follow all the English rules I learned in school
It’s important to know the rules of English writing so we know how to break them.
I have many favorite rule breaks, like starting a sentence with “and” or “but”… a huge no-no from my science years.
I especially love a perfectly placed fragment.
Rule breaks often add effect to your writing. Use them strategically.
9. I must be formal
Similar to above, formal writing is a rule often broken. Especially in the context of a blog or online content.
While you should still produce quality content, writing is most powerful when it’s relatable.
10. This should be quicker
Good writing doesn’t happen quickly, nor should we be attempting it.
When I try to write quickly, I produce shit. Which is fine anyway, it just means I skipped a few editing rounds.
Yes, it’s time-consuming, but take the time for many revisions to hone your craft. Anything can improve with a bit of love and attention.
11. I’ll never be a good writer
Although these beliefs may stick with you forever, you will in fact get better if you keep writing. Just as any endeavour, self-doubt is part of the process.
Move through it gently and know that anyone can be good at anything with enough practice.
12. I must shock my readers
Although surprising readers is a delight, we must always be wary of telling stories inauthentically.
A bit of click-bait is fine but be wary of trying too hard, extrapolating, or misleading your audience. Readers can smell trying-too-hard a mile away.
13. This needs to be the best piece of writing on this topic
As a recovering perfectionist, I understand the pressure we put on ourselves. It can be paralyzing. Our projects mutate into monumental tasks and so we start avoiding them.
But it doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be the best piece of writing anyone’s ever seen. Write authentically, and do it for the simple purpose of saying what you want to say.
14. I will reach a point where I’m happy with my revisions
Insert laughter here.
15. I will hit a point where revisions are no longer needed
There will always be room for improvement. The amount of tweaking we can do to a piece is never-ending. There will always be stronger words, better sentences.
But we have to know when we’ve sat too long and just click “post” on the damn thing.
16. Seeking feedback means I’m a bad writer
The idea that our work needs no external input before publishing is our ego talking. The best thing I ever did to improve my writing was invite other writers to rip my work apart. It hurt. But I got better.
To enhance any skill, seek constructive feedback. And tell your ego to take a backseat.
17. Writing garbage is a waste of my time
As aforementioned, writing garbage is how you become a better writer.
The acceptance that it is garbage, and continuing to write, leads to better writing.
18. I have to wait for inspiration to strike
One day, I woke up and felt uninspired to write. I kept waiting for it to hit. I didn’t write anything for 3 months.
Turns out, doing the thing generates inspiration.
There will be days when your motivation levels are at zero. Learn to continue to write regardless. And the quicker it returns.
19. I can’t finish this piece, therefore I’m lazy
The concept of laziness is akin to that of writer’s block. It’s fictitious.
If you find yourself unable to finish a piece, odds are you’re suffering from something very normal. Fatigue. Burnout. Stress.
Writing is nigh impossible if we don’t learn to slow down. Incorporate some self-care. And remember it’s okay to walk away.
20. I’ve run out of creativity/ideas
It’s actually one of my biggest fears that I’ll someday run out of creativity. But trust that won’t ever happen. Ideas are constantly manifesting around us. We just have to learn to harvest them.
You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we’re doing it.
Neil Gaiman
What are some other challenges you struggle with when writing? Comment below, I’d be curious to know!
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