The Secret to Becoming a Writer | Timeless Writing Advice

The most important thing for someone who wants to become a writer may be so obvious that it's easy to overlook. In this video, I share some advice I received once that helped me to understand what I needed to do in order to become a writer.

0:00 Introduction
1:47 How to Do It
3:50 Conclusion

[ossianback]

What I like about this advice is that it eliminates the gatekeeping surrounding writing, but still requires something of you. “All you need to call yourself a writer is to write regularly.” Not “everyone’s a writer automatically”. It’s a generous definition, a kind definition, but not so lenient as to be meaningless.

[mintee]

"At what point can you claim to be a writer?" Actually, you can substitute that for many different things. This is true especially if one doesn't have a formal degree or job in that topic.

I think your answer of daily, habitual practice is brilliant for answering the generalized question.

[michaelgriffith]

My issue was mentioned by you, Andrew: reading about writing and writers, not actually writing.

I am extremely happy I stumbled upon your channel, Andrew!

[anthonyt]

JD Salinger continued to write all the time after he stopped publishing after catcher success.
Until his desth, he never stopped writimg. He's definitely a writer IMO. You can stop being a writer if you actually stopped writing regularly.
Myself, I never stop thinking up ideas and do my edits when I can on my phone, at my full time job. I still think myself a writer.

[balarabneymar]

I am not a native-English speaker, but i studied English literature. However, I think when I start to write in English my brain starts to explode, and my dream is to be a better writer so lets do it 1 hour a day and see the process.

[prajwalwarhade]

How to overcome self doubt?
Because of a lot of negative criticism, every time I sat to write, I felt worthless. Like, whatever I write will turn out to be pathetic. I couldn't write at all.

[thesaveroomsays]

Great video as always. Thank you Andrew!

[niraakara]

Such a motivating, encouraging and non-judgmental advice! Thank you! You’ve really made it so simple. I’d think writing code all day doesn’t count 😂 15 minutes seems doable, I will try to get a steak going. Let’s see how long I can keep it going! I’ve never committed to anything like this… Hope there are some streak-freezes…? that might take some pressure off 😅 Strangely what seems to motivate me (and perhaps many) to write… is reading!! Perhaps good to start with that?

[cleo]

You have just opened up my brain like a beautiful fountain - thank you so much

[mariabolanos]

Thank you very much for sharing this!! ❤ I am glad I found your channel 👌🏻

[neeuqollav]

I have a question sir. As you said I should just write and learn as I go.

But sir, I've been wondering, where am I suppose to to start at writing stories? Such as fantasy, sci fi, romance etc. What are the things am I suppose to learn first? What are the "foundations" of writing?