12 monthly writing tips to create a sustainable writing habit
January Tip: The Benefits of Writing What You Know
Discover your knowledge and expertise
For several years in January I would write out my new year’s resolutions. They were always to write more. For about two weeks, I worked on my writing. I was excited about it. I had so much energy for writing. I couldn’t wait to write.
Then life happened.
I had to take my daughter to an out-of-town appointment. I got sick…
A day would come when I had the chance to write again. I had no energy for it. I wasn’t excited. In fact I had a million excuses for why I couldn’t write.
I was discouraged. I felt guilty for not writing. I felt overwhelmed by all my ideas that didn’t get out in writing. I gave up every time. Writing was just too hard!
January 1 would come again. The cycle repeated.
This was my experience for about the last six years. I wanted to start up my writing habit again. I struggled to find time and energy. There were so many distractions in my life.
Then I found some writing advice online and in books. Some of the advice sounded very familiar. It was the same advice my professors gave me during my undergraduate studies.
Welcome to the Writer’s Guide to Thrive
If you have experienced frustrations and disappointments with building your writing habit, then welcome to the Writer’s Guide to Thrive. If you are a new writer looking to build a writing habit for the first time, then I welcome you as well.
What to Expect
The Writer’s Guide to Thrive will be 12 monthly writing tips. They are meant to inspire you to try new writing techniques. They are meant to encourage you to continue with your writing habit. They are meant to grow you as a writer as you explore the writing resources available to writers. The writing tips will be brief and applicable. Make sure to subscribe to my blog and follow me on Facebook to receive the benefits of The Writer’s Guide to Thrive.
The 12 tips included in this guide are tips that have helped me to restart my writing habit. I have used them as tools that helped me to be disciplined and dedicated to my writing habit. Let’s get started before we lose our momentum with our writing goals in the first month of the year.
January’s Writing Tip: Write what you know.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Where do you work?
What skills do you have from your job or hobbies?
You already are an expert in those areas. You can write about those topics. Personally I made a list of questions my audience might have about editing and writing. Then I started a blog to address those topics. This helps your reader feel heard as they explore the topic you already have experienced.
We all have family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. You can write about relationships.
Did you have to have a hard conversation with a family member?
What did you learn from the experience?
Did your neighborhood or coworkers have to work together to accomplish something?
What did you learn about teamwork or communication from that experience?
Do you travel?
Do you like to eat out?
Do you like video games, hunting, baking…
You can write about your life experiences. Many people want to know the secrets behind packing well for vacation. People want to know what the difference is between a good wine and a great wine. People want to know if it really is ok to substitute ingredients in baking.
If you find yourself giving life experience advice in casual conversations, then you can write about it. Your friends and family are already asking you because you are knowledgeable about the topic.
When writers write what they know, they often have more excitement and energy for writing. I have found that writing on topics that don’t interest me or topics that I have to research is draining. I have very little enthusiasm for those types of topics. I experience writer’s block more often when I write about what I don’t know.
Writing what I know makes me a better writer for when I need to write about what I don’t know. I like to share resources with my audience when I write what I know. I have to do some research in order to do that. This makes me a better writer because it builds my research skills and my discernment for quality resources.
With all that in mind, let’s make some lists of things we already know. Let’s share our knowledge and expertise with our audiences who are looking for guidance and support.
Be on the look out for February’s writing tip. Remember to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Facebook to experience the full benefit of the Writer’s Guide to Thrive. Please share with your writing buddies who are looking to improve their writing habits too.
What topics do you know a lot about? I would love to know. Please share your areas of expertise in the comments.
Resources
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Bly, Robert W. “5 Tips for Writing Better and Faster.” August 23, 2024. https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/5-tips-for-writing-better-and-faster?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WDG+-+NL+-+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=2948E8814312D9G
Start Writing Your Book Today by Morgan Gist MacDonald
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