Writing is Simple. To Become a Writer: Write.
Don’t overcomplicate it.
Why did I start writing again?
I don’t recall entirely.
It was Thanksgiving 2018.
I just had something to say.
So I wrote it up and I posted it on Medium. And LinkedIn. And Twitter.
And then what?
Well… no one really read it.
But then the next week I wrote again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Now, nearly 100 weeks later, here we are.
I’ve published over 200 different individual pieces on Medium.
Along with that, I’ve written nearly 300.
I’ve also published almost 40 in different publications on Medium.
It’s work.
But it’s writing.
And writing is powerful. Writing is incredible. Writing is wonderful.
But how do you do it?
Since beginning this piece a few weeks ago a couple of people have complimented my writing and asked about how I’ve increased my proficiency in writing. Really, there hasn’t been one single thing that’s jumped out. I’ve just done it.
I’ve just written. Time and time and time again. Consistently. I’ve spent time writing and I’ve spent time reading and I’ve also spent time communicating with other people.
A few people I really strive to use as models or aspirational figures for writing are Ayodeji Awosika, Benjamin Hardy, Ed Lattimore, and David Burkus. I’ve been learning from those three people a lot. Their writing styles are polished, their organization is pristine, and their messaging is clear. Those are three of the main things I strive to focus on as I continue to improve as an author.
Beyond that, books like The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and Everybody Writes by Ann Handley have greatly influenced me. Beyond those few things, I always seek to remain open to feedback — everyone seems to have an opinion. Sometimes the feedback is good and other times it just isn’t good; no matter what the feedback is like, I do my best to receive the input and filter it myself.
Writing is not something that just happens overnight. In the past 18 months I’ve now posted over 140 standalone pieces on Medium plus written nearly 100 other pieces based upon my thoughts of books that I’ve read.
It’s not easy. It’s consistency.
The best writers write every day. I don’t write every day yet but after my MBA is complete, I intend to.
A few quotes about writing that keep me centered:
“I forget more good writing than most people ever think of.” — Ed Lattimore
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” — Stephen King
“To write a great book, you must first become the book.” — Naval Ravikant
“If you write what you yourself sincerely think and feel and are interested in… you will interest other people.” —Rachel Carson
And finally, a few of my favorite pieces from along the way
From the beginning, the middle, and a few also from present day
