Fifteen guideposts for a flourishing writing life

From an author of six non-fiction books, who needs to keep reminding herself.

Just as no one can tell us how to be human, no one can tell us how to be a writer. There might be rules for writing, but there are no fixed rules for a writing life.

Even so, here are some guideposts that might help you on your way from here:

1 Create a sacred writing space and go there often.

2 Write. Write some more. If in doubt, move your body, then write again.

3 Practise writing simply to become more awake. It will change your life.

4 Carry a notebook and pen everywhere.

5 Look with an open mind. Write with an open heart.

6 Be disciplined enough to stay at your desk when you need to, but remember that much of life isn’t visible from behind a desk.

7 Have a plan if it makes you feel better, but whatever you do don’t stick to the plan.

8 Be kind: to yourself, to other writers, and to your writing.

9 Know that people who don’t live the writing life might think that you are weird. That’s OK. We’re all weird really.

10 Remove everything that is not essential.

11 Know that nothing is ever really finished but that there is such a thing as ‘done enough’.

12 In the beginning, only your opinion matters. In the end only your opinion matters.

13 Everything is connected. Watch closely.

14 Everything changes. Let go.

15 Remember, your writing life is what you make it.

Know this: You are a writer, and the world needs your medicine.

Tell me, which guidepost feels most like a lantern for you right now? Which one do you need to embrace to move forward with your writing? I’d love to know in the comments.

*These guideposts originally appeared in my book The Way of the Fearless Writer: Ancient Eastern wisdom for a flourishing writing life (Piatkus).

Photos: Holly Bobbins Photography

PS My new book KOKORO: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived is out now.