What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Writing

When I first started writing, I thought all I needed was inspiration and a good idea. I imagined sitting at my desk, words flowing effortlessly onto the page, creating masterpiece after masterpiece. But reality hit me hard. Writing is more than just talent or passion, it’s a craft that requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to grow.

Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known before I started. If you’re just beginning your writing journey, I hope my lessons save you from some of the frustrations I faced.

1. Writing is Rewriting

I used to believe that great writers get everything right on the first draft. I thought if my first attempt didn’t sound perfect, I wasn’t talented enough. But the truth is, even the best writers rewrite. Your first draft is just the skeleton. The magic happens in editing, tightening sentences, refining ideas, and making every word count.

Now, I embrace rewriting. I let my first draft be messy because I know I’ll shape it into something better. The fear of imperfection used to hold me back, but now I see it as part of the process.

2. Perfectionism is the Enemy

In the beginning, I spent hours on a single paragraph, trying to make it flawless before moving on. The result? I barely finished anything. I wish I had known that perfectionism kills creativity. Writing is an evolving process, you improve with each word you write, not by agonizing over every sentence.

The best thing you can do is just write. Even if it’s not perfect, at least you’re making progress. You can always refine later, but if you don’t start, you have nothing to improve.

3. Writing Every Day is a Game Changer

I used to write only when I felt inspired. Some days, I produced pages of work, and other days, I wrote nothing at all. The inconsistency hurt my progress. Now, I know that writing is like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Even if it’s just a few sentences, writing daily builds discipline and helps ideas flow more naturally. Consistency is more important than bursts of creativity.

4. Feedback is Your Best Friend

When I first shared my writing, I feared criticism. I took every suggestion personally as if it meant I wasn’t good enough. But feedback isn’t about tearing you down, it’s about making you better.

Learning to accept and apply constructive criticism transformed my writing. Instead of fearing feedback, I now seek it out. A fresh perspective can highlight weaknesses you never noticed and help you grow faster.

5. Success Takes Time

I decided to start writing and quickly gain recognition. I assumed my first few pieces would go viral. Reality check: building an audience takes time. Rejections are part of the journey.

What matters is persistence. The more you write, the better you get, and the more people will start noticing. It’s a long game, and patience is key.

Conclusion

Writing isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do. If I had known these lessons earlier, I would have saved myself a lot of frustration. But in a way, I’m glad I learned them through experience, it made me a stronger writer.

So if you’re just starting, don’t be too hard on yourself. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Your best work is still ahead of you.