Perhaps the most common writing advice given to aspiring writers is to write daily. Believe it or not, it is advice that should be taken seriously. I know I do.
The advice to write daily might feel trite or pithy, but consider what happens when you do.
At first it seems like pushing boulders uphill. After a few days, it gets a little easier and you can push them further. After a few weeks, you can push them faster. After a few months, you pick better paths.
It is the same with writing.
When starting out it is very easy to set goals that are far too ambitious, such as writing a novel straight off the bat.
I had to crawl before I could walk, and walk before I could run. Writing is no different. It takes practice, perseverance and patience to build up the writing muscles to the point where it becomes almost effortless.
It all starts with a few words.
When I first told myself that I seriously wanted to be a writer, I set myself the goal of writing 100 words every day. Now several years and many thousands of words later, I can testify that that starting small and repetition are the keys to succeeding.
I’m now writing about two pages a day, but I haven’t raised the daily requirement to write 100 words.
It is easy sometimes to lose the passion for writing, especially if I try to push too hard and force the words out. Some days I don’t feel like writing much at all, but I still turn up for my daily 100 words. I’ve formed the habit and it’s one I look forward to.
The subject doesn’t matter, as long as I get my practice in. On any given day I might write about my work or university studies, or how delicious bacon and egg rolls with barbeque sauce are, or my terrible sleeping patterns.
The point is that showing up each and every day and putting in the effort pays off in the end.