Hey there,
So you want to write a story that grabs people by the collar and makes them care?
Good. Let’s get messy.
Here’s the part no one warns you about: Your first draft will be a disaster.
Like, truly awful. You’ll look at it and wonder if a toddler hijacked your keyboard. But guess what?
That’s normal. Writing isn’t about getting it right the first time—it’s about showing up again to fix the mess.
Your Writing Struggles (And How to Punch Them in the Face)
- “I have ideas, but the second I sit down, my brain turns into mashed potatoes.”
Why? You’re overthinking. Trying to write something “good” instead of just getting words down.
Fix it: Open a doc and type, “This is going to be garbage, but here goes…” Then go wild. No pressure, no filter. You can’t edit a blank page.
- “I don’t have time!”
Why? You think writing requires a three-hour ritual with candles and dramatic staring out the window.
Fix it: Set a 15-minute timer. Write during coffee breaks, before bed, or when you’re pretending to work. Tiny sessions add up.
- “What if people hate it?”
Why? You’re writing for approval instead of for yourself.
Fix it: Picture one friend who gets you. Write as if you’re secretly telling them a juicy story. Be real, be specific. Readers love authenticity, not perfection.
Here the Secret Saucer: Write Like You Gossip.
Your best friend texts you: “Dude, you will NOT believe what happened today.” That’s the energy your story needs. No fluff, no fancy words—just urgency.
Stuck? Act out the scene. (Yes, really.) Argue with your characters: “Why would you do that?!” Record yourself, then steal the best lines.
How to Avoid Sounding Like an AI Bot
Slang it up. If you’d say “ugh” or “bruh” in real life, put it in your dialogue.
Skip the lectures. Nobody likes a textbook. Make your reader feel something, don’t just explain it.
Use simple words that hit hard. No need to say “perspiration trickled down his forehead” when “he was sweating bullets” works just fine.
A Tiny Habit That Works
Mark an X on a calendar every day you write—even if it’s just one sentence.
3 days in a row? Treat yourself. 7 days? Brag to your cat.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency.
Wrapping Up
Your story won’t sell until you finish it. And you won’t finish it if you judge every sentence like an English teacher. So let it suck. Let your characters be messy. Just get to The End.
You can fix bad writing. You can’t fix a blank page.
Now go wreck that document.
P.S. Editing comes later. For now? Just make a beautiful mess.
