These are true regardless of your experience level.

I work with writers all the time. Some of them are brand new to writing and haven’t really written anything since high school or college. Others have been writing in some format for years or even decades. Many have been traditionally or self-published and are working on something new. For as long as I can remember, I’ve naturally gravitated toward writers.

Now that I’m part of the Ninja Writers team, I get to hear from even more writers every time I teach my courses.

Reflecting on feedback from writers and on my own experiences over the years, here are 7 things all writers need to remember:

1. Finding your writing voice is a process that takes time and practice.

Your “writing voice” is that little thing in every post you write that makes it sound like you. Even if your name wasn’t on it, readers would recognize it and know you wrote it.

Every writer has to put in time and practice to find and develop their own unique writing voice. I’ve never, ever met someone who found their writing voice without having to work at it.

So know it will take time. Write as consistently as you can, every day if at all possible. And keep at it, even if it seems like no one is reading your posts.

Chances are at least a few people are reading your post and even if they aren’t, the practice of writing consistently is helping you find and develop your writing voice.

By the time people do start reading your work in droves, you’ll be polished!

2. Successful writers simply didn’t quit.

In a nutshell, the biggest difference between struggling writers and successful writers is…drumroll please…successful writers simply didn’t quit. They kept writing, and writing, and writing, until finally, they found their voice and until it resonated with enough people to make them successful.

Honestly, that’s it. Successful writers simply didn’t quit.

They kept writing, learning, tweaking things and kept putting their work in front of people until it was successful.

So, that’s what you have to do too. Keep writing. Don’t stop.

And one day soon you’ll look up and realize you’re a successful writer too.

3. Writing can be a lonely profession, but it doesn’t have to be.

We all know writing is typically a solitary profession. We’ve seen the movies and more recently, the memes. Writing can be lonely much of the time. But it doesn’t have to be.

Find a writing group, either in person or online and get involved. Be sure to shop around if the first one doesn’t seem like a good fit. I’ve tried so many writing groups, in person and online, over the years.

Your writing group should make you feel supported in your writing without being only a place to get some ego stroking.

If you never get any “tough to hear” feedback, you may want to seek out another more authentic group. Even though criticism can be hard to hear, it’s a necessary part of improving your writing.

I’m so grateful to have finally found Ninja Writers. It’s more than a writing group, it’s a writing family. And it truly is the best writing community on the planet. You should join us, we’d love to have you!

4. Creativity is not genetic, it must be unleashed and developed.

You aren’t born creative or uncreative. I know for those of us who struggle with creativity, it can feel that way though.

But believe it or not, we all have creative potential.

Some of us need to do a bit more work to unleash ours and give it permission to show up.

I’m not a naturally creative person however, over the years I’ve learned I can turn it on when I take conscious action to do so.

Try setting a timer for ten minutes and write without stopping until it goes off. No stopping, no editing, just writing whatever pops into your head. Or choose an object in the room, give it a name, and then interview it like you would a celebrity.

Don’t try to force creativity with your choice of topic. Write about what a triangle tastes like. The sillier the subject the better, let your brain have fun for ten minutes.

The more frequently you do these kinds of exercises, the quicker you will find your creativity comes out to play when you sit down to write.

5. You can be the boss of your muse

I mean it, you really can. You don’t have to wait indefinitely for her (or him) to show up so you can write.

Give your muse a sense of FOMO by showing up and writing even when it feels like your muse hasn’t arrived yet.

You’ll be surprised at how fast your muse will show and up beg to help inspire your writing if you start without them.

6. The key to writers block is learning to conquer the blank page

Conquering the blank page is about thinking ahead and it’s a way to start writing without your muse and show it who’s boss.

You can outline, jot down notes or ideas the day before about the topic or scene you plan to tackle tomorrow. Let the ideas percolate overnight or for several hours. Then show up and write that post or scene from the outline or your notes.

Start with a prompt or write with a buddy. You’ll find it much easier to get started if you don’t have to start with a blank page.

7. Technology doesn’t have to be an obstacle to your writing

This is something I’ve believed for a long time. In fact, this belief was the catalyst for me to create Freelance Ladder.

I don’t believe technology has to be an obstacle for anyone who wants to write.

Sure, for some people it’s more difficult or it doesn’t come easily. But every single person can learn the technology they need to make their dream come true.

This doesn’t mean you have to learn all the technology, especially if learning tech is hard for you.

It simply means not understanding the tech is no longer the reason you aren’t successful. YouTube is wonderful for learning how to do technical things and it’s completely free. I’ve coached people on using tech since 2003 and I’ve yet to meet someone who couldn’t learn it when they actually put in the time and had guidance. If you need to pay someone to help you learn tech or do it for you, put it in your budget.

Don’t let lack of tech knowledge keep you from achieving your dreams.

So there it is. Seven of the things I think every writer needs to remember regardless of your experience level. Did I miss something you think every writer needs to know? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Get my free Market Mondays newsletter with links to writing jobs and paying markets every week.

Meg Stewart has been freelancing for nearly two decades. Freelance Ladder was founded to help writers get paid and help solopreneurs do business better online. She’s a member of the Non Fiction Authors Association, ALLi, the Authors Guild, the Freelancers Union, and BAIPA (via Zoom). Meg and her family, (along with two dogs, two cats, and two leopard geckos), live in Northeast Ohio.

Home

7 Things All Writers Need to Remember