The Only 5 Writing Tips I Use and Don’t Hate

Because most advice makes me want to set my laptop on fire.

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Let me start by saying that I’ve read approximately 84,927 writing tips. Some were inspiring, most overwhelming, and a few made me cry. At least one told me to wake up at 4 a.m. every day to write, which, respectfully, no.

Writing advice can feel like one giant anxiety casserole between the “write like Hemingway” types and the “optimize your SEO or perish” energy. This is cute, except I’m just trying to get some words out of my brain and onto the page without having a minor identity crisis.

So, if you’re tired of being told to write 1,000 words a day, build a personal brand, or bleed onto the page (ew), let me offer you the only five writing tips I use. And more importantly? Don’t completely hate.

1. Write like you’re texting your best friend, but maybe with fewer emojis

Forget sounding “professional.” Toss out the idea of being poetic in every damn sentence. And please, for the love of all things lowercase, stop trying to write like someone you’re not.

Write like you. Not LinkedIn, you. Not College Essay you. Not I’m Trying to Impress Someone You. Real you.