Finally starting my dream project: What I learned about writing a book in the first 30 days

[Gabriella]

I've been talking about writing a book for years. This January, I finally sat down and started. One month in, I've learned so much about what actually works and what's just advice that sounds good but doesn't help. Thought I'd share for anyone else dreaming of starting.

The biggest lesson: your writing space matters more than you think . I used to write wherever—couch, bed, coffee shop. Now I have a dedicated corner with everything I need. No more hunting for chargers or notebooks. When I sit down, I'm ready in seconds instead of minutes.

Second lesson: tools matter but not too much. I kept switching apps, convinced the perfect software would make me write better. It doesn't. Pick something simple and stick with it . I use the same tool for drafting and formatting so I don't have to move things later.

Third lesson: schedule or die. If you wait for inspiration, you'll wait forever . I block 7-8 AM every day. Some days I write 200 words. Some days 800. Both count. Progress is progress.

I'm at 12,000 words now. Not huge, but more than I've ever written before. If you're waiting for the perfect moment to start, don't. Today's fine. Just begin .

 

[Disser]

I've been talking about writing a book for years. This January, I finally sat down and started. One month in, I've learned so much about what actually works and what's just advice that sounds good but doesn't help. Thought I'd share for anyone else dreaming of starting.

The biggest lesson: your writing space matters more than you think . I used to write wherever—couch, bed, coffee shop. Now I have a dedicated corner with everything I need. No more hunting for chargers or notebooks. When I sit down, I'm ready in seconds instead of minutes.

Second lesson: tools matter but not too much. I kept switching apps, convinced the perfect software would make me write better. It doesn't. Pick something simple and stick with it . I use the same tool for drafting and formatting so I don't have to move things later.

Third lesson: schedule or die. If you wait for inspiration, you'll wait forever . I block 7-8 AM every day. Some days I write 200 words. Some days 800. Both count. Progress is progress.

I'm at 12,000 words now. Not huge, but more than I've ever written before. If you're waiting for the perfect moment to start, don't. Today's fine. Just begin .

This is so inspiring! 12,000 words in a month is huge—don't downplay that. The "schedule or die" tip hit hard. I've been waiting for inspiration to write a collection of essays, but I'm realizing inspiration is just discipline in disguise.

Quick question: how do you handle editing while drafting? Do you let yourself fix things as you go, or do you strictly separate drafting and revising? I always get stuck in an endless loop of rewriting chapter one. Congrats on starting!