Just Write Something

By D.L. Winchester.

It’s been a rough writing weekend for me. I haven’t gotten any new “words” down on paper, and am making the tough decision to abandon my current work-in-progress and pursue a new idea.

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t written anything.

I’ve penned three new blog posts and a proposal for an anthology.

I just haven’t put together any new sellable words.

And I think that’s something a lot of new (and experienced) writers forget. When they see people telling them to write every day, they assume they need to be working on a work-in-progress--a full story or poetry collection, a complete novella or novel, a memoir, etc.

And while that’s important, it’s not everything.

Writing is the art of communicating through the written word. And while a book-length work-in-progress is one way to do that, there are others that are no less powerful and still fulfill an obligation to write daily.

Penning a letter (or email) to a friend.

Writing a blog post.

Turning a book idea into a synopsis.

Rewriting an existing piece. 

Writing daily doesn’t always mean advancing your work-in-progress. It’s about getting words on paper (or on screen) any way you can. Even little things like postcards or post-its can make you a better communicator, and sometimes a break can provide the clarity needed to push on with your main project.

So just write something, today, tomorrow, and every day after.