Ah yes, that question. “Why do you write?”
It’s one of those that gets asked a lot—especially in writing forums, interviews, and on the back covers of literary memoirs, usually printed in italics for some reason. It can feel a bit… woo-woo. As if the answer should be sacred and profound. (“Because the Muse demands it, obviously.”)
But the truth? Your “why” is probably a lot more practical, changeable, and occasionally downright grubby than the question makes it sound.
I’ve spent the last couple of posts being pretty firm about the importance of doing the work. In Hauling the Bricks and The Indie Author’s Scam Survival Guide, we talked about how there’s no magic shortcut—just putting in the effort, day after day, is what gets you there. But let’s take a moment to step
Writing a Lot Isn’t Intimidating—It’s Just Math Read More »
This site is dedicated to productivity. Writing productivity, to be specific. There are hundreds of hints, tips, tricks, and hacks on PIFW to help you write more, write faster, and write better. Beyond this site there is trillions of posts, books and essays with golden nuggets of wisdom and experience that can help you get
Hauling the Bricks Read More »
Recently, Anne R. Allen published a post titled “Can Marathon Writing Sessions Lead to Depression?,” citing studies that suggest long, intense writing sessions might mimic symptoms of depression. If you’re an indie author pushing for a prolific writing habit, this kind of claim can be alarming. I get it. No one wants to wake up
The Joy of Writing Prolifically (No, It Won’t Make You Depressed) Read More »
Writing is hard. Some days, it’s staring at a blank page until your soul starts to shrivel. Other days, it’s forcing words onto the page that feel as clunky as a toddler’s first steps. This difficulty, though, isn’t a bug in the system—it’s a feature. What you’re experiencing is disfluency, the grinding friction that comes when creativity refuses to flow like a perfect algorithm. But here’s the kicker: disfluency isn’t just a hurdle to clear; it’s the point of the creative process.
Writing Through Disfluency: How to Embrace the Grind and Keep Moving Forward Read More »
When we say that, “discipline is destiny,” this is what we mean—that discipline is both predictive and deterministic. It predetermined that Marcus would not only be a great emperor, but a great man too. Just as it assured that the final chapters for the cautionary tales of history—Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, King George
Discipline: The Secret Sauce to Indie Author Success Read More »
Let’s talk about something super important: self-awareness. Being aware of what’s happening in your mind is a powerful tool that can help you grow as a writer. It’s about noticing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions without judgment. This kind of self-awareness can guide you to make better decisions, improve your craft, and stay motivated. For
Two Modes of Self-Awareness: Your Key to Unlocking Creativity Read More »
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never sell,” or “I’m not talented enough”? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, doubting our abilities and waiting for some magical moment when we finally get chosen. But guess what? That thinking is backward! If we believe that it’s not our turn, that we’re not
Change Your Story, Change Your Writing Life Read More »
How often do you think, even in the back of your brain, “I’m too busy to write!”? Especially if you are working any sort of alternative revenue stream, or have a day job, writing becomes much easier to off-load with the justification that this thing over here is paying the bills and deserves your attention.
Busy Is Good. Busy is GREAT. Read More »
