Cheer up. There’s only one wrong way to write.
It’s so obvious that you’re going to get mad at me when you read it.
But it’s true. There is only one wrong way to write.
It’s deceptive in its simplicity, and it will let you and your excuses off the hook.
You don’t have to worry about your grammar or your punctuation.
When you’re being creative, you can do whatever you want.
Of course, it can be helpful to write properly, to follow some of the rules that the writing gods have bestowed upon us.
Write clearly, write with passion, and write with joy.
But don’t write like this
It’s time to find out the one wrong way to write.
And it’s this: The one wrong way to write is to not write at all.
Did I get you? Do you want to punch me?
I’m smiling here, but you’re probably not. And if you’re not, it’s because you know I’m right.
The only wrong way to write is to not write at all. If you don’t think your words have value, and so you don’t even get them on the page in the first place, how can you connect with your readers?
You won’t even have readers if you don’t write.
If you don’t take the risk, you can’t get any reward. Writing is a risk, yes, but the biggest risk is to not write at all.
It’s a risk because then you are hoping that the world just stumbles upon your value, and that is quite a gamble.
Do you want to live your life with those odds, or do you want to do something about it?
Try writing about these 3 things to overcome your fear
I hope you’re on my side now. I hope you’re not quite as mad about that little trick I played.
Do you see what I did there? I gave you advice that wasn’t really advice at all.
I think that’s the best kind of advice because it’s something you already knew. You just needed a little prod to get going.
So get going. Get to writing. Here’s how you can do it.
1. Write about your emotions
This is a good one for me. Maybe it will work for you.
I have plenty of emotions. I’m quite the emotional guy.
It was hard to get used to being this way, but now that I’m OK with it, I’ve fully embraced it. I’ve internalized my propensity to feel stuff more often than most people.
I’m training to be a social worker, and in six months I’ll be done with a graduate degree and ready to do more things with emotions, just at a higher level. It’s very exciting.
Sometimes I feel emotions when I wasn’t expecting to. Other times there is a void where I thought an emotion would be.
Life is fascinating when you peer into your inner world and try to figure it out. Your emotions are tricky little devils, and they will give you plenty of material for quite some time.
2. Write about something you’re struggling with.
OK, maybe you don’t want to write about emotions. What about something that’s bothering you? Maybe it’s me. That’s good. I’d be honored to be your muse.
But seriously, what’s bothering you? Are you frustrated about something. Is there a problem you wish you could resolve?
I bet there are others grappling with the same thing. Do everyone a favor and unleash your solution on the world.
It may not be the best solution, but it will be out there. It will exist in a space where others can see. And when they can see it, they can interact with it — and with you.
These symbiotic relationships will generate more ideas.
3. Write about writing
Like this idea. One reader commented on a recent post of mine that he has been struggling to find the time to be creative but that my post inspired him to write…about writing.
I don’t think that’s a bad idea at all. “Everything is grist for the mill,” I told him — and it’s true. You can write about literally anything.
You can write about your grandmother (say nice things about her) or your recent interest in investing, or about how you feel most peaceful in nature.
There is only one of you, and if you write honestly, you’ll find something to say.
And there will be people who connect with what you write. It may not happen right away.
But remember this:
It won’t happen at all if you don’t write in the first place.
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And thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.
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