The Truth About Writing
I know what you are thinking. Oh god, not another article on writing by a writer. Well, technically, yes this is another article on writing, by a writer. This one is a little different.
If you’re looking for another “How to Make $10,000 Writing” article, you’re in the wrong place. This is about the real truth of writing – it’s hard, it’s confusing, and there’s a lot of conflicting advice out there. But don’t worry, we’re going to cut through the noise.
The Problem with Writing Advice
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the internet is flooded with writing advice. You’ve probably seen it all. I spent months reading all those articles on writing. How to make $10,000 a month. How to make $1000 a month. How to do this and how to do that:
“Write every single day without fail!”
“Don’t write every day – you’ll burn out!”
“Write what you know!”
“Know your audience!”
“Find your niche. Then super-niche!”
Sound familiar? The problem isn’t just the overwhelming volume of advice; it’s that much of it contradicts itself. While these articles rack up clicks and engagement, new writers are left more confused than ever.
Written by the same writers over and over again. When their profile states they have a passion for something else. Yet every damn article is the same. They found something that gets a lot of clicks. Earns them some money, so they just keep on milking it. It works because there’s always that new person, who wants to earn money writing on Medium. So while most of us are sick of it, there’s still enough lapping it up.
Finding Your Path: What Actually Works
1. Seek Out Authentic Voices
The best writing advice often comes from authors who don’t make their living selling writing advice. Look for writers who primarily create content about other topics but occasionally share their writing wisdom. These gems of knowledge tend to be more authentic and practical.
2. Just Write (Yes, Really)
Writing is hard. To quote the famous L. Simpson, “Writing is the hardest thing ever!” Season 23 Episode 06 “The Book Job”.
As simple as it sounds, the most important step is to start writing. Here’s why this actually works:
It helps you discover your natural writing style.
You learn what topics genuinely interest you
You develop your own workflow without pressure.
You build confidence through practice.
3. Embrace the Learning Curve
Remember what Lisa said? “Writing is the hardest thing ever!” She wasn’t wrong. Like any skill worth having, writing takes:
Commitment.
Perseverance.
Practice.
Patience.
The Reality Check
Here’s the truth that many writing advice articles won’t tell you: your first pieces might not make money. They might not get many reads. And that’s completely okay. Success in writing isn’t about overnight victories – it’s about consistent growth and improvement.
Moving Forward
Instead of getting caught up in the endless cycle of writing advice, focus on:
Finding topics you genuinely enjoy writing about.
Developing your unique voice.
Building a sustainable writing routine that works for YOU.
Creating content consistently, whether it gets immediate traction or not.
The Bottom Line
If you want to write, then write. Don’t let the overwhelming amount of advice paralyze you. Start creating content, learn from your experiences, and keep moving forward. The only way to become a better writer is through actual writing – not just reading about writing.
Remember, every successful writer started exactly where you are now. The difference is they kept going.
What’s your experience with writing advice? Have you found yourself overwhelmed by conflicting suggestions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Together, we can navigate the writing journey and create something amazing.
Written by James “JD” Armstrong
Founder, Writers Without Walls
Feature Photo by Johnson Wang on Unsplash
