Mining is Hard, Writing is Easy: 20 Aphorisms and Rules for Writers
Truths I remind myself of when I sit down to write.
1. Ideas need space. Like water, air and the other elements.
Create space. The ideas will come.
2. Don’t hedge. Don’t hem and haw. Don’t pre-empt criticism or apologise in advance.
(So don’t say “perhaps you shouldn’t hedge in your writing” or “it is generally not good to hem and haw.”)
4. If you’re stuck, either make it urgent or go small.
5. If it feels too important to finish, get it over with quickly.
A universe of ideas awaits you on the other side. But you won’t get to them if you keep worshipping this one.
6. Any wordsmith can say it pretty. A writer’s job is to say it true.
7. If you’re writing because you need to be heard, have a conversation instead.
Write mostly to hear yourself.
8. Remember, writing is not a substitute for connection. Connection is not a substitute for writing.
9. Niches are for stowing objects, develop a voice instead.
