4 Truths Every Writer Needs to Embrace

I remember the time when I first started writing. I would look at my first piece of writing, and it would make my eyes roll.

And the truth is, my writing, especially my first draft, still makes me cringe.

If you’re a newbie writer, here are 4 things you need to be aware of when you start your writing journey.

Your first draft is trash

If you’ve just gone through your first draft and it feels like trash, don’t fret. The truth is your first draft will never be like a picture in a glossy magazine.

The purpose of the first draft is to get the ideas flowing, especially if you used the method of freewriting to write it.

Every time I use the freewriting method to write my articles, rereading my first draft makes my eyes roll. The ideas are all over the place, and the paragraphs are clunky.

And the reason is, I’m not a linear writer. That means for a non-linear writer like me, I don’t always start with clearly defined subheads and paragraphs. With the freewriting method, I like to spread out my ideas and get them all out in a spurt. This allows me to hold onto my ideas and not lose any of them.

But once I edit my writing, I can’t believe how much my writing improves.

So when you’re reading back your first draft, you may be tempted to think your writing sucks. But in reality, it’s not your writing — it’s the way you articulated your ideas.

Poorly formulated ideas can ruin your draft like an ink spill on printed paper. Your writing may look clunky or choppy, but remember good editing can fix all these issues.

No matter how good your first draft is, never skip editing. Editing can take your work from good to great.

Speaking of editing, never do writing and editing in one sitting. When you’re done with the first draft, put it away for a few hours or a day and then come back to it to edit with a fresh pair of eyes.

Writing routine is essential

As a writer, it’s crucial to have a writing routine in place that you can stick to. Without the writing routine, you’re like a knight without armor.

Writing regularly allows you to improve your writing skills and develop a sense of identity as a writer.

Writing routine also helps you write when you’re the most productive. To figure this part out, practice writing at different times during the day and see when you can steal your muse. You may need to experiment to find out what works best for you. Everyone is different, and what works for me wouldn’t work for everyone else.

The best way to build a solid writing routine is to do it gradually. Aim to write a little bit each day. You may want to start out by writing 20–30 minutes each day and do it for many days until the habit sticks.

Remember, you don’t train for a marathon once a week — you train for it every day. The same goes for writing. That said, writing as little as 30 minutes a day is better than writing once a week for 3 hours.

Writer’s block is real

Being a writer means you can’t avoid your ugly companion — your writer’s block — visiting you sometimes. But don’t let him steal your muse. Gear up and prepare to fight him back.

Every writer at some point has encountered writer’s block. It’s a normal occurrence among writers. But having writer’s block is not an excuse for not writing.

There are real and proven methods for dealing with writer’s block. Think of writer’s block as a temporary log of wood blocking your path. All you have to do is pick up that log and move it out of the way, and then you can start fresh again.

Self-doubt is normal

Every writer goes through periods of self-doubt. It’s common for writers to doubt the quality of their work. And never mind if you’re a perfectionist and tend to look at everything with an overly critical eye.

Ironically, though, writers tend to doubt their best work.

Keep this point in mind: How you look at your work may not be the same as how other people will view it. There’s some degree of bias when we tend to read our own work and that may mean looking down our work and being overly skeptical.

As a newbie writer, don’t let self-doubt keep you from writing. To help overcome any self-doubt you may have about yourself, start believing more in yourself. The more you believe in your abilities, the more you will grow as a writer. And remember, the only way to get better is to keep writing.

The takeaway

If you want to improve your craft and grow as a writer, it’s important to approach writing with a growth mindset. If you’re new to writing, keep these points in mind:

• Your first draft is a trash
• Writing routine is essential
• Writer’s block is real
• Self-doubt is normal