What if you’re not “doing it wrong” after all?

There’s a lot of advice out there about how to be a “real” writer.

Write every day. Get up at 5 AM. Hit a specific word count. Outline everything — or never outline at all.

Here’s the truth:

Every writer’s process is different.

And that’s a good thing.

Some people make the most progress in short, daily sprints, others in marathon sessions on the weekend.

Some write in cafes, others need absolute silence.

I’ve seen writers insist that morning is the only time to write.

(I always think, They must not have pets.)

My sweet spot is 2:00 - 4:30 PM.

That’s when 80% of my best work happens.

I used to try following everyone else’s advice... and feel miserable that I couldn’t.

But the more I paid attention to what actually worked — for me — the more I realized I needed to lean into my natural rhythms.

This is one of the biggest mindset shifts a writer can make:

You don’t need to fix your process — you need to understand it.

Experiment

Try writing at different times of day. Change locations. Play with writing by hand or dictating instead of typing.

Observe Patterns

When do words flow most easily? What settings or rituals help you focus?

Drop the Shoulds

If a method isn’t working, don’t force it. Borrow what works, discard what doesn’t.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not writing the right way,” hear this:

Your process isn’t wrong — it’s just yours.

Slade

For more strategies on overcoming writer’s block and developing a sustainable writing practice, subscribe to The Writer’s Reboot.

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