This was really fun to create! I sincerely hope it's helpful for you. Let me know if you found anything useful, or if you're struggling with something else.
I write every day. It's the most ritualized of all my routines. it's rare that I finish somethign everyday. For me, writing is slow and sometimes agonizing. I've learned to accept this as part of my process, a side-effect of how my brain works. But, I'm at my desk. Without fail. Every day. One thing I never do is use an outline. But after reading this, and after listening to V.E. Schwab praise the use of outlines, I'm starting to think that I should...
I'll definitely revisit them. I haven't tried using an outline since undergrad. I just never thought that way. Writing has also been a kind of wandering for me, a meandering process of discovery. I almost never know where I'm going. I just have an idea, and willingness to go where it takes me. It's haphazard, but it tends to be how I think. But, it can't hurt to shake things up a bit. Thanks again!
I heard from George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson this idea that some writers are gardeners while others are architects. The former write by discovery, the latter by careful planning. Neither way is intrinsically better, according to them. Stephen King is the quintessential gardener, Frank Herbert maybe one of the greatest architects in sci-fi.
Yeah it's a spectrum and I guess different moments and different pieces would work differently even for the same author. I'm experimenting a bit myself to find my sweet spot.
Love this! I fall hard into the gardner bracket. I won't even talk about what I'm writing about while I'm writing for fear that it might influence the way the piece grows. lol!
Andrew, you are my inspiration. Getting your daily newsletter, seeing your name pops in my inbox, it motivates me to publish my newsletters on time. lol. I miss here and there sometimes. What a wonderful article with beautiful images. I love the goat and the pie! Thank you again for being awesome!
"The journey to becoming a better writer is both deeply personal and widely relatable. It's a blend of discipline, inspiration, and methodical organization"
I really enjoyed this timeless advice on writing. I know Andrew Smith and I have worked with him. He is incredible and his discipline to write everyday is unmatched- one idea after another. I have learned a lot from him and his star is shining everyday. I think if write every day, I will burn out irreversibly. So I give credit him for his relentless focus. I almost have the same way of getting ideas just like him. However, I would like to share a few other secrets of my real experience with writing here. You can just email me (dwinkiptoo@gmail.com).
Thanks so much, Edwin! Folks, Edwin has great ideas and is constantly hungry to learn and improve. Check out his work when you get a chance, and watch him knock it out of the park!
This was really fun to create! I sincerely hope it's helpful for you. Let me know if you found anything useful, or if you're struggling with something else.
I write every day. It's the most ritualized of all my routines. it's rare that I finish somethign everyday. For me, writing is slow and sometimes agonizing. I've learned to accept this as part of my process, a side-effect of how my brain works. But, I'm at my desk. Without fail. Every day. One thing I never do is use an outline. But after reading this, and after listening to V.E. Schwab praise the use of outlines, I'm starting to think that I should...
Try it for a month and see how you like it! If you hate it, it's just like 30 days, but you'll figure out for sure whether it's for you.
I'll definitely revisit them. I haven't tried using an outline since undergrad. I just never thought that way. Writing has also been a kind of wandering for me, a meandering process of discovery. I almost never know where I'm going. I just have an idea, and willingness to go where it takes me. It's haphazard, but it tends to be how I think. But, it can't hurt to shake things up a bit. Thanks again!
Well, there IS merit in the other approach too - I talk about this a little bit here: https://goatfury.substack.com/p/art-before-writing
That said, I think an outline is a parameter I can live within, and the benefits outweigh the cons.
"Many of our most profound discoveries have come about almost by accident, by leaving the doorway to the absurd ajar." - This!
Man, I'm glad that resonated. I really enjoyed writing that one!
It shows! Thanks for sharing!
I heard from George R. R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson this idea that some writers are gardeners while others are architects. The former write by discovery, the latter by careful planning. Neither way is intrinsically better, according to them. Stephen King is the quintessential gardener, Frank Herbert maybe one of the greatest architects in sci-fi.
I like this a lot. I think I do a little of both.
Yeah it's a spectrum and I guess different moments and different pieces would work differently even for the same author. I'm experimenting a bit myself to find my sweet spot.
Love this! I fall hard into the gardner bracket. I won't even talk about what I'm writing about while I'm writing for fear that it might influence the way the piece grows. lol!
If it works it works ☺️
That, my friend, is science.
Beautiful and telling metaphor that describes the type of writer and processes in place. Gardener or architect…
Persistence is key ✍🏾
Writing every day is like doing exercise every day! Fulfilling and you get a sense of achievement!
Andrew, you are my inspiration. Getting your daily newsletter, seeing your name pops in my inbox, it motivates me to publish my newsletters on time. lol. I miss here and there sometimes. What a wonderful article with beautiful images. I love the goat and the pie! Thank you again for being awesome!
That's really cool to hear, Zeng! Thank you so much. It makes me feel really good about all this work!
"The journey to becoming a better writer is both deeply personal and widely relatable. It's a blend of discipline, inspiration, and methodical organization"
I really enjoyed this timeless advice on writing. I know Andrew Smith and I have worked with him. He is incredible and his discipline to write everyday is unmatched- one idea after another. I have learned a lot from him and his star is shining everyday. I think if write every day, I will burn out irreversibly. So I give credit him for his relentless focus. I almost have the same way of getting ideas just like him. However, I would like to share a few other secrets of my real experience with writing here. You can just email me (dwinkiptoo@gmail.com).
That's awesome! I'll contact you.
Thanks so much, Edwin! Folks, Edwin has great ideas and is constantly hungry to learn and improve. Check out his work when you get a chance, and watch him knock it out of the park!
Thank you so much!