Reading time: About 4 minutes
My stick-to-itiveness is my biggest strength. That’s why I’ve been able to persist with this project so long that I’ve produced 1,000 newsletters…
I calculated when I’d hit the milestone of having written 1,000 newsletters many years ago.
It seemed impossibly far away.
But today, we hit that mark. I can’t believe I’ve written 1,000 newsletters without completely losing my mind.
I’ve been publishing my Power Writing newsletter for almost 20 years now, and I’ve learned so much along the way. Here are my 10 biggest lessons:
- It’s possible to write columns on the same topic without getting stuck for new material. Back in year two or three, I regularly freaked out about coming up with new ideas. Ironically, this problem has disappeared as the years have worn on. Just as parents say they don’t have any less love when new children are born — instead, the love increases — so too have my story ideas seemed to grow the longer I’ve written this column. I understand writing problems and issues in more depth, and I have new ideas. Honestly, it’s like magic — the good kind, not the “where did the time before this deadline go?” kind.
- It’s possible to write every week without missing more than two weeks a year. OK, I confess it’s helped that I now have a huge “library” of back issues, so from time to time, say, when I take a holiday, I can re-run an older issue. But I don’t do that very often. And I’ve had some big incidents in my life that could have derailed me permanently. For example, I’ve had two strokes since starting this column (not lifestyle-related ones, thank goodness, and I’ve fully recovered from both). And one of my daughters died of a devastating brain tumour in 2022, which was an unthinkable tragedy. But with help from family and good friends, I managed to carry on.
- We should always start SMALL. Many writers are overly ambitious when they declare their goal. They’re basically the writing equivalent of someone who buys gym equipment in January. Some tell me they want to write for eight hours a day. Others say six. Still others say two. But even one hour is too much for most people. Why? Because they haven’t trained for it. Writing is very much like exercise. You don’t start by running a marathon or even a 10-km race. Instead, you start by run-walking around the block. Eventually, with enough practice, you can start aiming at longer distances. Writing is just like that. Start small — I suggest 15 minutes — and understand you can always go smaller. Even five minutes can be plenty. It’s far better to write every day for a SMALL amount of time than to write for a much longer segment, irregularly. Here’s a guide on how much time you should spend.
- Boredom is your secret weapon, not your enemy. For comparison’s sake, think about the “tip of the tongue” phenomenon: Whenever you try especially hard to recall a forgotten name or think of a specific word, your brain is especially unlikely to cooperate — it’s basically on strike. Instead, the name/word will spring to your mind unbidden, several hours later, when you’re not thinking about it (and, ironically, when it is almost useless to you). This is simply the way our brains operate. When we daydream, when we doodle while a lecture is going on, when we sit on a park bench and notice the kids playing and the birds singing, our minds start solving problems and making unexpected connections. This is creativity. Our minds do their best work in the un-stimulated, un-entertained state we often call boredom.
- Many “life” activities can make writing easier or harder for us. Are we eating well? Are we sleeping enough hours a night? Are we getting regular exercise? Do we have enough time to see movies, attend concerts and visit with friends? All of these tasks sound as though they have little to do with writing, but doing them is what enables us to write. Think of them as the supporting cast in your writing blockbuster. Here are some ways to get unstuck when writing.
- Dictation is often a great way to write. I’ve never thought of dictation as “cheating.” It’s just a different method of getting your words onto the page or screen. It’s like choosing between an elevator and an escalator — both get you there. And the great benefit is that dictating is faster than writing. If shame has stopped you from exploring dictation, let go of it. For many people, it can also make writer’s block a thing of the past. Learn more.
- A keyboard is better than a pen for writing. But a pen is better than a keyboard for thinking and planning. Typing is far superior for writing because our brains are like supercomputers affixed to our bodies (albeit ones that occasionally crash when we need them most). Ideas rush along, like cars on a freeway, and typing (or dictating) allows us to better keep up with our thoughts and avoid “bottlenecks.” But if you want to do relaxed creative work, then grab a pencil and a piece of paper. It works better for taking notes, mindmapping and thinking and planning. Learn more.
- It’s important to acknowledge the difference between “maker” and “manager” time. Writers are “makers.” They create something where nothing existed before. We’re basically professional magicians without the fancy hats. But freelance writers (and corporate or marketing writers) are also “managers.” They have to attend meetings, make plans and handle budgets. Doing both is like trying to meditate in a marching band. If you ever thought that these two different types of tasks compete with each other, you’re right. And I’ve given some advice about that issue.
- AI is bad for writing but terrific for brainstorming and editing. AI is superb at giving advice and suggesting ideas that will help you get started with your writing. It’s really great for beating writer’s block. Think of it as your digital writing buddy who never steals your coffee. I have a one-hour video class explaining it.
- Writing doesn’t depend on talent. Instead, writing depends on time, determination and hard work. You can learn to write, too, with or without talent. Sure, writing talent helps, but it’s less important than many people think. It’s like having a head start in a marathon; nice, but it won’t carry you across the finish line. I take advice from researcher Carol Dweck who says that anyone can improve their work through focused effort.
So there you have it — 1,000 newsletters’ worth of hard-won wisdom, seasoned with just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
If you’ve found my newsletter helpful, I’d be so grateful for a quick testimonial. Just a sentence or two about how it’s supported your writing, mindset or creative practice will make a big difference. Your words help others decide whether to subscribe — and they mean the world to me. No need to be fancy or formal. Just email me and share a line or two if you’re willing.
And thanks so much for being part of this community!
If you liked this post, you’ll also like Five writing lessons I learned from ‘Your Happy First Draft.’
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Need some help developing a better, more sustainable writing or editing routine? Learn about my three-month accountability program called Get It Done. There is turn-over each month, and priority will go to those who have applied first. You can go directly to the application form and you’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
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My video podcast last week addressed how to deal with anxiety about publishing. You can watch the video or read the transcript, and you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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Which of my 1,000 newsletters resonated the most with you? We can all learn from each other, so please, share your thoughts with my readers and me in the comments section, below. If you comment on today’s post (or any others) by July 31/25, I’ll put you in a draw for a digital copy of my first book, 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better. To enter, please scroll down to the comments, directly underneath the related posts links, below. You don’t have to join Disqus to post! Read my tutorial to learn how to post as a guest. (It’s easy!)
