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Grant Mulligan's avatar

I’ve never read anyone who so often and accurately captures my inner monologue, Gena.

I think your point that “fluent writing is not the default” is spot on. There’s reason to believe the grind gets easier with time and practice. Or so I tell myself. But you also hit on something I’m struggling with, is there something about the way I practice that is holding back better results?

It’s like weight training. If you go to the gym regularly you’re liable to get stronger. But there’s a big difference in the pace of growth if you do the right exercises, with proper form and recovery. I’m with you, trying to figure out the conditions that work instead of beating myself up over my slow progress.

Thanks for sharing this. The honest reflection helped me do some of my own!

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Leport Cristina's avatar

I find that writing “just for yourself” is essential in fiction. You can’t write thinking of what your readers might like, even if you want them and hope they will like what you wrote. That is because the purpose of writing in fiction is not teaching or convincing anyone of anything.

In non fiction it may be more tricky.

But I think you’re right to write for yourself. Anything helpful in “The art of nonfiction?”

“The art of fiction” is a wonderful tool for fiction.

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