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I studied the writing routine of 500 legendary writers.
Turns out, great writing is simple—if you do these 6 things every day:
Turns out, great writing is simple—if you do these 6 things every day:
1. Take long walks
For each of these legends, daily walks were the *staple* of their creative process.
• Thinking
• Listening
• Outlining
• Observing
95% of their writing happened during long walks.
By the time they sat down to type, they knew exactly what to say.
For each of these legends, daily walks were the *staple* of their creative process.
• Thinking
• Listening
• Outlining
• Observing
95% of their writing happened during long walks.
By the time they sat down to type, they knew exactly what to say.
2. Capture ideas—everywhere
The world's biggest lie:
"I'll remember that idea later."
Each of these great writers treated every idea as *precious* and captured it immediately.
• Quick capture on their phone
• Whiteboards in the shower
• Notebooks all over the place
The world's biggest lie:
"I'll remember that idea later."
Each of these great writers treated every idea as *precious* and captured it immediately.
• Quick capture on their phone
• Whiteboards in the shower
• Notebooks all over the place
These first 2 daily habits made coming up with ideas *easy* — something that happened with zero effort.
By simply going about their day, their brain was free to think creatively.
Staring at a blank page?
Never a problem for them.
Now, onto their daily writing routines:
By simply going about their day, their brain was free to think creatively.
Staring at a blank page?
Never a problem for them.
Now, onto their daily writing routines:
3. Write on a timer—every day
Jerry Seinfeld—a billion-dollar comedian.
Gary Halbert—a billion-dollar copywriter.
Both of these legends had a simple routine with 1 rule.
1. Set a timer for 33:33
2. During that time, you could do anything except get out of your chair
Jerry Seinfeld—a billion-dollar comedian.
Gary Halbert—a billion-dollar copywriter.
Both of these legends had a simple routine with 1 rule.
1. Set a timer for 33:33
2. During that time, you could do anything except get out of your chair
And this took the pressure off writing.
For the first few minutes, they would stare at the wall.
Sip their coffee.
Think about all the other thing they would rather be doing.
But at some point, they'd start writing.
And the timer let they know the torture would end soon.
For the first few minutes, they would stare at the wall.
Sip their coffee.
Think about all the other thing they would rather be doing.
But at some point, they'd start writing.
And the timer let they know the torture would end soon.
During their breaks, they would walk around, have a quick snack, and do anything else but write.
And during this time, inspiration always struck.
Then, at the end of the day, they wouldn't say "I wrote until I got tired."
They would say "I wrote for six sessions today."
And during this time, inspiration always struck.
Then, at the end of the day, they wouldn't say "I wrote until I got tired."
They would say "I wrote for six sessions today."
This made it easy to keep momentum.
The timer made it easy to get started, and the daily recap made them feel a sense of accomplishment.
Day by day, these sessions compounded.
But aside from the timer, there was one more common trait:
The timer made it easy to get started, and the daily recap made them feel a sense of accomplishment.
Day by day, these sessions compounded.
But aside from the timer, there was one more common trait:
4. Ruthlessly block distractions
95% of writing is simply avoiding the internet's distractions.
So these writers would go a long way to isolate themselves from the notifications, pings, and interruptions.
• Secluded hotels
• Cabins in the woods
Anything to avoid the noise.
95% of writing is simply avoiding the internet's distractions.
So these writers would go a long way to isolate themselves from the notifications, pings, and interruptions.
• Secluded hotels
• Cabins in the woods
Anything to avoid the noise.
So far we've talked about:
1. Taking long walks
2. Capturing ideas everywhere
3. Writing on a timer
4. Avoiding distractions
These are enough for any beginner to get started.
But it's the last 2 steps that turn *average* writing into *legendary* writing.
1. Taking long walks
2. Capturing ideas everywhere
3. Writing on a timer
4. Avoiding distractions
These are enough for any beginner to get started.
But it's the last 2 steps that turn *average* writing into *legendary* writing.
5. Be 100% content to appear clueless.
Each of these writers had a complete lack of ego.
They were endlessly curious—never afraid to ask "stupid" questions.
This made them learning machines, always inhaling new information.
And you *felt* this curiosity in their writing.
Each of these writers had a complete lack of ego.
They were endlessly curious—never afraid to ask "stupid" questions.
This made them learning machines, always inhaling new information.
And you *felt* this curiosity in their writing.
Without an ego, these writers would dive head first into any new topic as a complete beginner.
By learning and studying different topics & fields, they could combine ideas in a way no one else could.
The smaller the ego, the better the writer.
Which takes us to the 6th step:
By learning and studying different topics & fields, they could combine ideas in a way no one else could.
The smaller the ego, the better the writer.
Which takes us to the 6th step:
6. Constantly seek objective feedback
Most writers never hit publish because they're a "perfectionist."
But perfectionism is 100% an ego problem.
You are you assuming people are going to comb your every word, waiting for mistakes.
Newsflash: they aren't.
Instead, do this:
Most writers never hit publish because they're a "perfectionist."
But perfectionism is 100% an ego problem.
You are you assuming people are going to comb your every word, waiting for mistakes.
Newsflash: they aren't.
Instead, do this:
• Hit publish before it's ready
The truth is, your writing will never be ready.
So get it out into the world.
Then, listen carefully to what your readers have to say.
• Don't ask for feedback—ask for advice
People are uncomfortable giving feedback, so ask for it like this:
The truth is, your writing will never be ready.
So get it out into the world.
Then, listen carefully to what your readers have to say.
• Don't ask for feedback—ask for advice
People are uncomfortable giving feedback, so ask for it like this:
When getting advice (instead of feedback), Tim Ferriss requests the reader highlight:
• Anywhere boring
• Anything confusing
• Anywhere your mind starts to wander
Then he asks two questions - what is the:
• 10% I must keep
• 20% I should cut immediately
• Anywhere boring
• Anything confusing
• Anywhere your mind starts to wander
Then he asks two questions - what is the:
• 10% I must keep
• 20% I should cut immediately
Boom – that's it!
And here's the 1 big realization you should have from this thread:
The best writing is not a result.
It's a byproduct.
By carefully crafting (and following) a daily writing system, great writing is guaranteed.
And these legends provide the best example!
And here's the 1 big realization you should have from this thread:
The best writing is not a result.
It's a byproduct.
By carefully crafting (and following) a daily writing system, great writing is guaranteed.
And these legends provide the best example!
In summary, to be a great writer, do these 6 things every day:
1. Take long walks
2. Capture ideas everywhere
3. Write on a timer—every day
4. Ruthlessly avoid distractions
5. Be 100% content to appear clueless
6. Seek feedback objectively
Now, get going!
1. Take long walks
2. Capture ideas everywhere
3. Write on a timer—every day
4. Ruthlessly avoid distractions
5. Be 100% content to appear clueless
6. Seek feedback objectively
Now, get going!
For more threads like this every Thursday at 8 AM, follow me @dickiebush
And if you're looking to start writing online, here's a free 13,000-word Ultimate Guide to help you get started:
startwritingonline.com
And if you're looking to start writing online, here's a free 13,000-word Ultimate Guide to help you get started:
startwritingonline.com
And lastly, if you struggle with overcoming the blank page, I got you.
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