Antti Vanhanen
1. Don't think - just write.
It's treacherously easy to overthink things. Just get on with it.
2. Forget about the outcome (the final book, the critical reviews, the people who will buy it) and just focus on writing one word at a time.
3. Have fun writing.
Why else would you want to be a writer?
4. Split the creating and the editing into separate tasks.
Creation is about expansion, while editing is about restriction. When you try to write perfect, finalized text right from the start, you are setting these two forces against each other. Split your time in two: First, write freely and creatively without caring how shitty and clumsy your text sounds. Then, go back and edit the text. Condense, simplify, rewrite.
It's treacherously easy to overthink things. Just get on with it.
2. Forget about the outcome (the final book, the critical reviews, the people who will buy it) and just focus on writing one word at a time.
3. Have fun writing.
Why else would you want to be a writer?
4. Split the creating and the editing into separate tasks.
Creation is about expansion, while editing is about restriction. When you try to write perfect, finalized text right from the start, you are setting these two forces against each other. Split your time in two: First, write freely and creatively without caring how shitty and clumsy your text sounds. Then, go back and edit the text. Condense, simplify, rewrite.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more