S37E1 - You Should Only Write When You're Inspired

Writers get bad advice all of the time. Often, it's the same pieces of bad advice heard again and again and again. Why, though? If it's bad, why do so many people still repeat the same old refrains? Mostly, because it starts from someone who found what worked for them.

Just like clothing, writing is not one-style-fits-all. Each person will need to find their own path. This month, our hosts are taking a deep dive into some advice they've heard (some of which they followed for a while), why people say it, what makes it bad, and how you should be applying that particular piece of advice.

We start by talking about inspiration. For many writers, especially those just getting started in their pursuit, inspiration is their only source for writing. Some will even say "You should only write when you're inspired." Unfortunately, that can be harmful to those wanting to turn writing into a career. Inspiration is wonderful. It has sparked millions of fantastic tales across all genres. It is not, however, a reliable source. Relying only on inspiration can lead to unfinished drafts, years of writing gaps, and an unsustainable pace. Listen to this episode for more about how to best shape this common piece of bad advice into something usable in your personal goals.

First aired November 3, 2022.