The Writing Advice I Wish Someone Had Given Me

Hard-earned wisdom from years of battling blank pages.

Dear Matt,

Writing can be brutal. It’s a solitary, unforgiving grind—a constant battle against self-doubt, frustration, and the relentless blank page. It feels like stumbling alone through a dense fog, questioning every step, uncertain if your words will ever mean anything to anyone but yourself. Yet, in the solitude of this struggle, something miraculous happens: clarity emerges, ideas crystallize, and a voice that only you possess comes to life. Writing is worth it—because, in that brutal journey, you discover truths about yourself and your world that you'd otherwise never uncover.

Like any epic journey, writing is filled with dangers lurking behind every blank page—self-doubt, criticism, fear of rejection—and facing them can feel intimidating, even terrifying. But I've walked this path and can promise you: you are capable, more than you realize. Trust yourself as much as I trust you. To help you navigate when the fog is thickest, let these guiding truths illuminate your way.

Don’t fret over discovering your voice or pinpointing your perfect topic—they will inevitably find you. Just keep writing. When life challenges you—write about it. When you're confused—write about it. When you're elated or devastated—write about it. Meet your voice halfway, and it will find you. Writing regularly clears your mind, organizes your thoughts, and subtly reveals the themes that genuinely matter to you. The more consistently you engage, your message and identity as a writer will become clearer.

Don’t wait for motivation to strike; commit to a routine instead. Consider construction workers who drag themselves to the job site at 5 AM—not because they're inspired, but because it's their responsibility. Motivation is a delightful guest, but don’t let your writing depend on its arrival. Like a disciplined builder, get to work daily, and inspiration will follow. Over time, your discipline will convert even mundane days into breakthrough opportunities.

Remember, less is more. Your first draft is verbose, filled with redundancies and unnecessary details. Take Mark Twain's playful wisdom to heart: "I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." Cultivate an aggressive attitude toward eliminating excess words—each one you remove brings clarity and strength. The tighter your prose, the more your message will resonate. Brevity provides your reader with space to think and reflect.

Read, read, read. Stephen King reminds us, "If you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write." Reading is your fuel, your education, and your wisest teacher. Don't limit yourself to one genre or style; the broader your reading, the richer your writing will become. Every new perspective you absorb deepens your capacity to empathize with diverse viewpoints and sharpens your ability to communicate your ideas compellingly. Further, reading will teach you to be fully present while listening, as it is the quintessential one-way communication training ground.

Carry a pocket-sized journal everywhere. Those seemingly insignificant, fleeting thoughts during the day are pure gold. You might believe you'll remember them, but trust me, they'll evaporate quicker than you realize. Capturing them immediately preserves valuable insights and trains your mind to recognize and honor the importance of small, spontaneous ideas.

Perfection is the enemy of done. Complete your work and move on. Your readers don't seek perfection; they seek insight, perspective, or simply a thoughtful moment. Obsessing over minor details often stalls your momentum, discouraging you from tackling future topics that deserve attention. Getting comfortable with imperfection is not lowering your standards; it's embracing the organic beauty and authenticity readers genuinely crave.

Learn to wrestle with your inner demons. There is no quicker way to evoke the legions of inner demons lurking in the darkest recesses of your heart and soul. These demons feast on creating insecurities. They win when you do nothing but keep your head down, toe the line, and stay in “your place.” Their evil words know no bounds. For specific strategies, see:

Allow Yourself to Suck

If it's uncomfortable to write about, that's precisely what your readers are dying to read. Authenticity resides in vulnerability, and people connect most deeply with honesty about shared human struggles. Leaning into discomfort enhances your credibility and strengthens the emotional connection with your audience, creating lasting impact and trust.

Rejection is a badge of honor—you're in the arena, taking risks, and growing. Every great writer has a drawer full of rejections, each sharpening their voice and thickening their skin. Here's the truth: About a million readers will adore your work when you're wildly successful. But to put that in perspective, one million fans represent just 0.0143% of the world's population. The rest? They either won't "get" your work or they'll hate it. And that's perfect because your writing isn't meant to please everyone. Your job isn't to win over the world; it's to find your tribe. Rejection means someone wasn't part of your 1 million. Keep searching—they're out there, waiting (not so) patiently for your next piece.

Writing is thinking clearly. Your words reflect the clarity and precision of your thoughts. When you're stuck, it usually means you're not clear yet. You can use writing to sharpen your thinking and bring order to the chaos of your ideas. A tip to bring clarity to your writing is to ask - “what do I want the reader to learn, ask, or think about when she reads this sentence/paragraph/? Explore the answer to that question - deeply, thoughtfully, and thoroughly - and then give her exactly that.

Consistency beats talent. Discipline and persistence will always outlast sporadic talent. Show up daily, commit to the practice, and you'll inevitably surpass those who only write when inspiration strikes. Each day you write, even just a little, you invest in your future as a writer. Over time, this consistent effort transforms from obligation into habit, and habit into excellence. Aristotle captured it perfectly: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Remember, consistent small steps forward lead to monumental results—your greatest breakthroughs will not come from flashes of brilliance, but from the steady grind of consistency.

As you walk this path, become a beacon for others. You've already been and will continue to be, buoyed by kindness and wisdom from fellow writers. Return that generosity by actively mentoring, supporting, and cheering on fellow creators. This reciprocal energy not only enriches their journeys but elevates their own growth and perspective.

Writing is both grueling and glorious, punishing yet infinitely rewarding. It will demand everything from you—patience, resilience, vulnerability, and discipline—and at times, you'll wonder if the struggle is even worth it. Yet, every moment of doubt will be eclipsed by the profound clarity, self-awareness, and personal growth writing bestows upon you. In this way, writing is perhaps the most selfish pursuit, gifting you the ultimate luxury of discovering your truest self. Yet, it is equally selfless; by sharing your truths, your words become a beacon for others, illuminating their paths and enriching lives you'll never fully see. So embrace this journey wholeheartedly—for in giving your stories to the world, you will receive more than you ever imagined

I love you. You can make me the happiest soul in the universe, if you promise to love you too. Truly.

All my love,
Matt

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Matt DiGeronimo is a writer, thinker, and leadership strategist who simplifies the complex and challenges conventional wisdom. Please message me for public speaking or collaboration opportunities.