Thread by @Nicolascole77

Over the past 10 years, I've learned some BRUTAL lessons as a writer.

Both online and offline.

These are the things no one taught me in school (studying creative writing), that I ended up learning the hard way on my own.

Let me save you years of growing pains.

[THREAD] 🧵👇

#1/ "I'm writing this for myself"

Writers who say this don't know what about their story/piece matters most to readers.

I certainly didn't.

In 2016, I published my first memoir. And when the book didn't sell that well, I said, "I wrote this for myself."

It's a cop-out.

#2/ Not every idea can be a book.

Not every idea can even be a full article.

Sometimes, all an idea can be is a Tweet.

It took me YEARS to realize that starting with "I want to write a book" or "I want to write a long-form article" is the wrong goal.

What do you want to SAY?

#3/ Word count is irrelevant.

"How long should this be?"

It doesn't matter.

A better question is, "How much space do I need to make the point I'm trying to make?"

If you can achieve that goal in 10 words, that's all it needs to be.

#4/ "I'm going to write this because I think it will sell."

Anytime you catch yourself saying, "I think this road will be easy," realize you are about to lead yourself stray.

The easy road always leads to a dead end.

Instead of chasing instant gratification, strive for Value.

#5/ "Imitate then innovate" is horrible advice.

Imagine if I said, "I'm going to write about Stoicism like @RyanHoliday but a little different."

Your takeaway would be, "Why don't I just read Ryan Holiday then?"

Create, then Innovate is better.

Get more original over time.

#6/ The reader's default answer is "I'm gone."

If the reader is confused, even a little bit, they're gone.

If they're unsure of what exactly you mean, they're gone.

If they're lost, even for a second, they're gone.

Readers have 0 patience.

Don't give them a reason to leave.

#7/ Consistency beats talent.

In the digital world, algorithms reward those who SHOW UP.

Visibility > ability

So much emphasis gets placed on early talent and skill, when the real differentiator between those who succeed and fail is largely rooted in consistency over time.

#8/ Readers want the most value for the least time.

When someone clicks on your article, Tweet, or reads your book, they're paying you in TIME.

Ex: Reading this Thread is costing you ~23 seconds.

So, the more you can give in less time, the more "valuable" your writing.

#9/ Writing what's popular is a skill.

I've written hundreds of viral articles, accumulated 100M+ views, etc.

There's a method to the madness.

But writing for massive reach is not the same as digging deep into a topic. They are different goals.

Choose one.

#10/ The right way to write is often.

I used to be such a perfectionist. I obsessed over everything before I shared it.

Turns out, that's the only real mistake you can make as a writer.

Hiding.

Write, publish, repeat.

Do this for 10 years, and sky is the limit.

If becoming a writer is in your blood, and you want to increase your growth curve by 10x, join me in the next cohort of Ship 30 for 30.

Tons of lessons like these in every Office Hours session:

ship30for30.com