Why Your Writing Advice Is Bad (and What to Do Instead)125

I'm not here to bash you. I'm a writer too, and I've been there. I've published articles that I'm proud of, and I've also published articles that I cringe at when I look back on them.

When it comes to writing, there's no shortage of advice out there. But a lot of it is just plain bad. If you're following the wrong advice, it can actually hurt your writing.

Here are five common pieces of writing advice that you should ignore:
"Write what you know."

This is one of the most common pieces of writing advice out there. And it's terrible.

Writing what you know is boring. It's also limiting. If you only write about things that you've personally experienced, you'll never be able to explore new ideas or perspectives.
"Use strong verbs."

This is another common piece of writing advice that's actually more harmful than helpful.

Strong verbs are important, but they're not the only thing that matters. In fact, using too many strong verbs can make your writing sound forced and unnatural.
"Don't use adverbs."

This is a rule that's often repeated by writing teachers, but it's not a hard and fast rule.

Adverbs can be useful for adding emphasis or clarifying meaning. Just be sure to use them sparingly.
"Write in a clear and concise style."

This is good advice, but it's not always easy to follow.

Clear and concise writing takes practice. Don't be afraid to revise and edit your work until it's clear and easy to understand.
"Don't be afraid to make mistakes."

This is perhaps the most important piece of writing advice that I can give you.

Everyone makes writing mistakes. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and keep writing. The more you write, the better you'll become at it.

So, there you have it. Five common pieces of writing advice that you should ignore.

If you follow these tips instead, you'll be well on your way to becoming a better writer.

Here are some additional tips for writing well:
Read widely. The best way to improve your writing is to read other people's writing. Pay attention to the way that they use language, structure their sentences, and develop their ideas.
Practice regularly. The more you write, the better you'll become at it. Set aside some time each day to write, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Get feedback from others. Ask friends, family members, or colleagues to read your writing and give you feedback. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve.
Be patient. Writing well takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep writing, and you'll eventually see improvement.

Writing is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. By following these tips, you can become a better writer and communicate your ideas more effectively.

2025-02-21

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