Rachel, who needs "writing overlords"??? I learned basic grammar and spelling in 6th or 7th grade. Beyond that, writing is SO primal and personal, I do not need the writing police over my shoulder. I improve bit by bit as I go along. I think that is why so many of us resonate with dear Tom Keugler, he is NOT full of himself, he is so accomplished and yet humble. That gives us hope for the rest of us.
Just wanted to write and say thank you for finally giving me the courage to write and publish my very first article. I did everything in this post 1-6 :) Wishing you well!
Plus, writing for myself is how I've created ROUGH drafts of work that I plan to eventually turn into books. And those can be crafted for a wider audience.
on every point I was thinking "yes! this! yes!" too many to reply to. but mainly this is what i'm doing right now until I find my rhythm: "My writing process is like a tornado or something. I throw a bunch of crap at the wall and I see what sticks."
I agree and relate to all your tips, which are, in general, quite contrary to what you learn in writing courses or information you read on the Internet. Your post made me feel less alienated knowing that the path can have different trails. For me it works, whether it’s for blog posts, social media posts or even the book I’m writing. Cheers!
I agree and relate to all of the points except for the first. Forget about editing, the moment I even read a previous word I have written, I forget what i have to write further. I hurriedly jot the points down and then take my time to edit :)
Thank you for the permission to wing 🪽 it, Tom! I actually do a lot of these same practices and worried that I was doing it ‘wrong.’
I’m glad to know there are different roads to success and it’s ok to use the one less traveled. And that the definition for success might not look like the guy making six figures.
It's #3 for me. ALL of my ideas are very singular. I have running notes in my notepad app that are literally just a headline idea and I somehow construct a whole story out of one sentence.
Yes that's what happens with me sometimes Kristi. I have like 40+ drafts on Medium that are just headline ideas that popped into my head and then I take it from there.
These are great. I love that you said “but works for me.” If the title had said some version of “10 writing tips that you need to implement today” I likely wouldn’t have read it. I’m exhausted by that kind of clickbait lingo. But the here’s what’s worked for me take what you want and leave the rest approach, I’m here for that.
Yes I also write whatever comes up :) I start with an idea and see where the words take me. Kind of how I travel... I have a general direction in mind and then completely wing it every day before starting the engine ! So I might miss great sites, and maybe my writing is not conventional - but then, who really wants to be normal ?
Yes! I edit as I write. Then I edit again. Then again.
Most of my writing is for emails that are 4-6 minute reads. I want them precise, with as few words as possible.
I edit as I go, too. Every sentence. I have ADHD so I have to go back over what I just wrote to make sure my paper is flowing.
I noticed I’m writing much faster when I’m not editing while I’m writing. It’s very tempting to edit though.
One hundred percent! I used to be an inveterate outliner.
Stephen King said, "Let the characters take the story where they will." Discovered it's more fun that way. Even if the character is me.
I also edit on the fly, for the same reasons you do.
Great to see my "bad" habits legitimized by a writer I respect!
Love that quote from Stephen King, Chuck! Cheers
Hell yeah! This is similar to my style. So happy to see there are more folks out there who are non-conventional rebels to the writing overlords!
Rachel, who needs "writing overlords"??? I learned basic grammar and spelling in 6th or 7th grade. Beyond that, writing is SO primal and personal, I do not need the writing police over my shoulder. I improve bit by bit as I go along. I think that is why so many of us resonate with dear Tom Keugler, he is NOT full of himself, he is so accomplished and yet humble. That gives us hope for the rest of us.
Just wanted to write and say thank you for finally giving me the courage to write and publish my very first article. I did everything in this post 1-6 :) Wishing you well!
https://substack.com/profile/163337101-sarrah-b/note/c-56380710
This "I hope what I write is helpful. I hope I speak on topics that are relevant to people.
But I write for me. I write for my enjoyment, and I know that’s cost me money over the long-term, but what’s more important? Money or enjoyment?"
Truly, this whole piece is just how I approach my writing, sometimes to my detriment 😂
Haha. I hear you. I’d rather write this way and get less views than write a certain way to get more followers/views and hate it.
Plus, writing for myself is how I've created ROUGH drafts of work that I plan to eventually turn into books. And those can be crafted for a wider audience.
I edit so much as I go along that I’ve never really written a rough draft. I do use outlines for non fiction and essays, though.
I think it's funny that so many of us have a definite process but no one process is the same.
on every point I was thinking "yes! this! yes!" too many to reply to. but mainly this is what i'm doing right now until I find my rhythm: "My writing process is like a tornado or something. I throw a bunch of crap at the wall and I see what sticks."
Haha love it Elizabeth. Thanks for reading.
I love reading about other people’s writing processes. Reminder that there isn’t just one way. Thank you!
Thanks Kristi for reading! :)
I agree and relate to all your tips, which are, in general, quite contrary to what you learn in writing courses or information you read on the Internet. Your post made me feel less alienated knowing that the path can have different trails. For me it works, whether it’s for blog posts, social media posts or even the book I’m writing. Cheers!
Hey Guta! I'm really happy to hear this. Whatever works for you is what's best! :)
Great list. I find that if you can activate your emotions with your writing it will most likely active the emotions of your reader 👍
Couldn't agree more
I agree and relate to all of the points except for the first. Forget about editing, the moment I even read a previous word I have written, I forget what i have to write further. I hurriedly jot the points down and then take my time to edit :)
Do whatever works best for you. I get that #1 might not be the best advice. :)
Thank you for the permission to wing 🪽 it, Tom! I actually do a lot of these same practices and worried that I was doing it ‘wrong.’
I’m glad to know there are different roads to success and it’s ok to use the one less traveled. And that the definition for success might not look like the guy making six figures.
I'm so happy to hear in the comments that there's so many people who write like me as well, including you. I wasn't expecting that.
Especially #7. Thanks.
It's #3 for me. ALL of my ideas are very singular. I have running notes in my notepad app that are literally just a headline idea and I somehow construct a whole story out of one sentence.
Yes that's what happens with me sometimes Kristi. I have like 40+ drafts on Medium that are just headline ideas that popped into my head and then I take it from there.
These are great. I love that you said “but works for me.” If the title had said some version of “10 writing tips that you need to implement today” I likely wouldn’t have read it. I’m exhausted by that kind of clickbait lingo. But the here’s what’s worked for me take what you want and leave the rest approach, I’m here for that.
Thanks Blake. I'll remember that in the future when I write up new headlines and stuff.
Yes I also write whatever comes up :) I start with an idea and see where the words take me. Kind of how I travel... I have a general direction in mind and then completely wing it every day before starting the engine ! So I might miss great sites, and maybe my writing is not conventional - but then, who really wants to be normal ?
I always really liked the moments while traveling that were unexpected. :) Not having a plan makes for good traveling.
Wow this was a great read
Really happy to read this Tracey thank you