Hi friends,

We often invest in craft books, writing courses, and even creative writing degrees to improve as writers. We want to create believable characters, paint clear settings, and tell captivating stories.

I got an MFA for the same reasons.

But after years of writing and two intensive years of studying stories and technique, I’ve noticed that mastering craft really comes down to writing and reading a lot—and doing it consistently over a long period of time. That’s where most technical improvement happens.

I’ve had my own journey with these challenges, probably harder than many of you. Remember, I moved to the U.S. at 13 with only my name and my home address scribbled on a piece of paper in my back pocket. I had to learn English at the same time many of you were writing essays in school.

But even with that background, I’d argue that many of our biggest writing obstacles aren’t technical—they’re personal. They’re rooted in our habits, mindsets, and approaches to writing. Here are a few I’ve struggled with (and still do):

Write Daily or Only When Inspired

I’ve tested both, and I’m convinced that writing daily, even if it’s only one sentence, is much more effective than waiting for inspiration. I’ve become almost religious about this belief, so now I schedule at least 30 minutes daily for writing. This means actually writing—no phone, no social media, no emails, and no kids. Some days I write like mad; other days, I stare at the screen dry. Regardless, it’s a debt of honor to show up every single day.

Defining Success

I used to believe success started with publication. I no longer think so. While I still pursue publication, I know it won’t fulfill me in the way I once imagined. Living is more than having your name on a book cover. But it’s also more than writing year after year without sharing your work with the world. The goal remains the same, but my definition of success has broadened.

Building Confidence

Writing can feel like exposing your soul on paper. The moment I realized that, I began writing stories that mattered to me, rather than what I thought others would like. This didn’t give me a license to write badly; it gave me the freedom to write the stories I daydream about.

Developing Stamina

Writing takes a lot of stamina, and you have to be kind to yourself. After I graduated from my creative writing program, I lost my ability to write. I took a long break and even wondered if I’d ever write a story again. Then one day, I wrote for ten minutes. The next day, I did the same, and by the end of the week, those ten minutes became twenty, then thirty, then forty-five. Now I’m up to 45-60 minutes a day, and I’m happy with that. I realized I was trying to write as much as I did in the program (1-2 hours daily) after a long break. Start below what you think you can handle, then increase it gradually. Even 100 words a day for a month gives you a solid short story draft—and that’s far better than nothing.

By focusing on these inner challenges, we can reach higher potential in our writing journey than any craft book alone can promise.

Keep writing!

💎 New From Me

Last week I published a video about the value behind showing your work, and not waiting until you’re discovered.

🔖 Quote I’m pondering

"The fact that you"can't do something" can be embarrassing. But if you are "learning to do" something, that is admirable. There are only tiny baby steps between can't and learning."

— Kevin Kelly

Source: Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier

📸 Through My Lens

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Thank you for reading!

Mohamed