The writing world is full of advice—some of it helpful, some of it downright misleading. While advice is often well-intentioned, following it blindly can lead you down a path that hinders your creative growth or leaves you feeling stuck and frustrated. Let’s explore 7 commonly touted pieces of bad writing advice and why they’re best ignored.
1. Write What You Know
Why It's Bad Advice: On the surface, this advice seems practical: drawing from your own experiences can lead to authentic writing. However, taken literally, this advice limits the scope of your imagination and creativity. Writing is an exploration and creation of new worlds, experiences, and perspectives. If authors only wrote what they knew, we wouldn’t have genres like fantasy, science fiction, or historical fiction. This advice can discourage writers from stepping outside their comfort zones to explore fresh and exciting ideas.
What to Do Instead: Write what intrigues you, what interests you, what you love. Research, interview, and immerse yourself in new topics and experiences. Instead of writing only what you know, aim to write what you want to understand or explore. This approach allows you to develop new skills, expand your knowledge, and create stories that resonate with diverse readers. A science fiction author may not have been to space, but they can research, imagine, and create believable experiences.
2. Never Use Adverbs
Why It's Bad Advice: The advice to "kill all adverbs" comes from a good place—encouraging writers to use stronger verbs and more precise language. However, like any rule in writing, this one shouldn’t be followed blindly. Adverbs can be effective when used purposefully, providing subtle nuances that verbs alone may not capture. Completely avoiding adverbs can make writing feel stilted and unnatural.
What to Do Instead: Use adverbs sparingly and intentionally. The goal is to avoid over-reliance on them, not to eliminate them entirely. When an adverb enhances the sentence without being redundant (e.g., "whispered softly" versus "whispered"), it has its place. Sometimes, an adverb is the most concise and effective way to convey a thought or action, especially in dialogue.
3. Good Writers Don’t Need Outlines
Why It's Bad Advice: There’s a pervasive myth that good writers just sit down and let the story flow effortlessly. While this may work for some, many writers benefit from some form of planning. An outline helps you organize your thoughts, see the structure of your story, and identify plot holes or inconsistencies early on. The notion that outlines stifle creativity is misleading; in fact, they can provide the scaffolding that allows creativity to flourish.
What to Do Instead: Find a planning method that works for you. Whether it’s a detailed outline, a few bullet points, or a mind map, having a roadmap can provide clarity and direction while still allowing room for discovery and spontaneity. Some writers, like J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien, have used extensive outlines to craft intricate, compelling narratives. Others, like David Baldacci, use a few bullet points and questions to outline their novel. Outlining can also save time in revisions and prevent major structural problems later on.
Use the tools that help you write your novel. Personally, I write extensive outlines, dumping all my thoughts and ideas on post-it notes or index cards and then sorting out what does and doesn't work, re-structuring the order of events. Sometimes the post-its are bits of dialogue that have popped into my head, some are very detailed about what happens, and some are high level like, "Character X and Y argue about something." And even after all that, half my outline changes as I write the novel. But I need that first kick at the can to help me figure out big moments in the book I'm working towards. If a new idea pops up that I like better, than I use it. Outlines can be changed.
4. Cut All Dialogue Tags Except ‘Said'
Why It's Bad Advice: This advice suggests that using dialogue tags other than "said" (like "exclaimed," "whispered," or "shouted") is amateurish or distracting. While overusing creative tags can indeed be jarring, sticking strictly to “said” can make your dialogue feel flat and lifeless. Dialogue tags are just one tool for conveying tone and emotion; ignoring others limits your storytelling options. As much as possible, your dialogue should do the heavy lifting and convey the emotion or tone, but every now and again, said just won't do.
What to Do Instead: Use dialogue tags thoughtfully and mix them with action beats. When a different tag adds necessary emotion or context, don't be afraid to use it. Let the content of the dialogue and accompanying actions convey emotion rather than relying on tags alone. Tags like "murmured," "hissed," or "muttered" can add variety and depth when used sparingly and appropriately.
5. Write Every Day, or You’re Not a "Real" Writer
Why It's Bad Advice: While developing a daily writing habit can be beneficial, this advice ignores the reality of life’s demands and individual creative processes. It can lead to burnout and make writing feel like a chore rather than a creative and fulfilling endeavor. Not everyone thrives on a daily writing schedule, and that’s okay. Writing daily doesn’t guarantee quality, nor does it suit every writer's life circumstances.
What to Do Instead: Find a writing routine that works for you. Some writers are productive with daily writing; others find success with writing sprints or dedicated weekly sessions. Prioritize consistency over frequency and make sure to recharge creatively. Quality and creativity come from writing regularly, not necessarily daily, and respecting your personal process is key.
6. If You Don’t Feel Inspired, Don’t Write
Why It's Bad Advice: Waiting for inspiration to strike can lead to long stretches of inactivity and frustration. Writing is like any other skill—it requires practice and dedication. If you only write when you feel inspired, you’ll miss out on developing your craft and discovering new ideas. Inspiration is often a result of regular writing rather than the precursor to it.
What to Do Instead: Create a regular writing habit, even if it’s just for a few minutes a few days a week. Treat writing as a discipline, not just a creative outlet. You’ll often find that inspiration comes during the act of writing, not before it. Remember that the more you write, the more you develop your skills and foster creativity.
7. Never Edit as You Write
Why It's Bad Advice: This advice is meant to encourage forward momentum in drafting, but for some writers, editing as they go is part of their process. Ignoring issues can cause frustration later, especially if they know there’s a plot hole or character inconsistency that needs fixing. Some writers feel more confident moving forward if they address problems as they arise.
What to Do Instead: Find what works for you. If editing as you write keeps you motivated and helps maintain continuity, do it. If it slows you down or makes you lose focus, save edits for later drafts. Your process is unique to you. Writers like George R.R. Martin are known to revise as they go, whereas others, like Neil Gaiman, prefer to write the entire draft before revising.
Personally, I revise as I go. I don't wordsmith or line edit, but if I've made a significant change in the direction of the book, I often go back and adjust earlier scenes. When I don't do this, I feel paralyzed, like a mental block is preventing me from moving forward because I'm so focused on the changes that are needed, I can't seem to conjure up what happens next in the story.
Writing is a deeply personal and creative endeavor, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. While advice can offer guidance, it's crucial to remember that these “rules” are not set in stone. What works brilliantly for one writer may be stifling for another. The best writers are those who experiment, adapt, and learn. Don’t be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and find your own path. Your voice, your stories, and your unique process are what make your writing stand out. The most important thing is to keep writing, stay curious, and let your passion for storytelling lead the way.
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