“Write for one person and help them solve a problem.”
“Tell yourself what you wish you knew.”
“Keep showing up for yourself.”
I could feel my eyes begin to roll.
I was on Substack, swimming through a sea of well-meaning notes that made me feel like I’d just been pulled into the guidance counselor’s office.
Everything—and everyone—was dropping notes with the same vague, cozy, pleasant-nothing inspiration.
“You can do it!”
“Your story matters!”
“Your words are a gift!”
From people who—let’s be honest—haven’t actually done it.
Writing fiction, that is.
It was all writers writing about writing, who only write about writing, without actually, you know… writing.
Not fiction, at least.
Not story.
Not the kind of writing done for the sole purpose of entertaining someone else.
And yet these writers are all so certain that “helping someone solve a problem” is the way.
It was just a sea of echoes swimming in the echo chamber:
Shameless confidence.
Templated thoughts.
Generic yet good-natured advice.
All geared to the person who writes non-fiction.
But when it comes to writing creatively— you know, writing to move, to entertain, to connect—there’s no real advice to be found.
And it pissed me off.
The Friction About Fiction
Here’s the real problem about Substack advice:
A lot of the people giving advice are writing about writing… instead of, you know, writing.
And guess what?
Writing fiction is a totally different game than writing a newsletter or a self-help ebook.
You’re not just organizing ideas—you’re creating something that didn’t exist before.
You’re making people feel something.
Laugh. Cry. Rage. Escape.
You’re bending reality—not bullet-pointing it.
So the “one-size-fits-all” advice?
Doesn’t exactly fit, and it’s not even close.
It’s like being told to train for a marathon by someone standing in front of the TV with a bag of chips.
What Fiction Writers Actually Need
Here’s the truth:
Fiction writers don’t need morning routines and mindset hacks.
They need permission.
Permission to be weird.
Permission to be messy.
Permission to write what actually excites them—not what some algorithm says is “on trend.”
You don’t need to “find your niche.”
You need to write a story people don’t want to put down.
So here’s the advice fiction writers should be getting:
Write what makes you light up inside.
Write what pisses you off.
Write what makes you laugh uncontrollably.
Write what you wish someone else had written—but nobody did—so now it’s your job.
Screw the template.
Screw the five-step funnel.
Screw the guidance counselor pep talks.
Because fiction is an act of rebellion.
An act of play.
An act of deep human connection masquerading as dragons, bank heists, or awkward family dinners.
And the more “you” there is in it, the better.
So stop letting nonfiction culture psych you out.
You’re not broken because you think “10 Tips for Building a Content Calendar.” is stupid.
You’re not lazy because you don’t have a Notion board color-coded by act structure.
You’re not a fraud because your writing doesn’t come with an affiliate link.
You’re a fiction writer.
You make sh*t up.
On purpose.
And that’s what everyone who doesn’t do this will never understand.
Please like, comment, share and tell me what you think. Have you noticed this guidance counselor’s advice?
Ummmmm…. awkward segue.. please follow me on Substack (1) Tonysbologna | Anthony Robert | Substack
My my, you said it all! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I’ve always thought fiction certainly does deserve its own treatment.
Fiction is heavyweight stuff.
The purest form of writing my friend! Thank you for reading
Well said that man! 😊😊😊
Thank you so much my friend!
You’re welcome! 😎
Tony, perfectly said. I wish I could figure it out but every time I get into a story my mind starts turning it into poem form and then I lose the direction. Thanks for the great post.
Poems are great too! Super creative
This makes me smile. I always say that I write for all the selfish reasons😂
The best way to write if you ask me!
Well shared, my friend. 🙂
Tell me how you came up with this piece of writing. Well crafted, smooth flow, reader-friendly. Every time I try to write, it becomes unnecessarily packed with unusual words (not to mention the grammar mistakes). Is it because I’m non native? Or, is it because I don’t read much?
Thanks so much – just give yourself 3 writing sessions for your articles and listen for flow! You got this!
“You’re a fiction writer. You make sh*t up. On purpose.” Oh love that Tony. No affiliate links. And darn, I keep coming here for the “10 Tips” articles. Ha, ha. So well said.
Well I appreciate you regardless my friend 😉
I think I needed some public therapy today lmao
I enjoyed your text! And yes, you are right!
I thought I’m the only one who noticed that.
Nope! It drives me crazy!
True! I was going to classes, and reading, and trying to write the way I was instructed until I decided to write for fun. The Kraken was released! I’m having a blast making s*** up. Thank you for your fun posts
Thanks for saying it, Anthony!
Thank you Tony! Right on. Permission to be weird, permission to be messy, Permission to make stuff up. Love it all. You energize me.
Spot on! So, are you posting the same on Substack? That’s where we need it.
I’ve been wanting to migrate some things to Substack! Some things about writing, and then my actual writing itself. What do you keep on WordPress and what do you like for Substack? I don’t wanna completely leave my current blog!
I think for me, WordPress is my homebase.
Basically I’m always posting here first.
I do think with substack, it’s good for segmenting.
Like I’ll have one newsletter just for comedic short stories, and I might do one just for sales.
I would just play where the sand is warmest!
Thanks Tony! Happy writing!
You too my friend
This totally fired me up!!! I have fiction I want to write, but I don’t want to follow the traditional model for novels. I’m probably going to publish it myself, but I agree-the story is meant to be told in a way that is an experience for the reader.
This is a brilliantly written and refreshingly honest piece—an excellent example of writing for writers about writing. It cuts through the noise of generic advice and speaks directly to the heart of fiction writers who often feel alienated by productivity-driven, non-fiction-centric guidance. The tone is sharp, the critique is valid, and the message is empowering: fiction is not a formula, it’s a form of rebellion and connection. The post doesn’t just challenge the status quo—it gives permission to be messy, bold, and authentic. A must-read for any writer who feels unseen in the sea of templates and pep talks. Writers, revel in the poetic license only enjoyed by creatives.
Love this. Fiction is a different beast, for sure. I’ve made the mistake of reading writing how-to books written by published authors before reading their fiction. Never again. If I don’t like their fiction, why would I take their advice?
Exactly!
Brutally honest ! I like it. Thank you for throwing open the doors of creativity !
Thanks so much!!
what even is substack?… I lack in discipline to write over and over.. often mostly because of the inner critic that says why even …when the noises of the world drowns you out with it’s agendas, ideologies, and trends…
I love how you first wrote a blog on advice for fiction writers and then almost a year later “why most advice won’t work.” I am actually the same – I first noticed that language teaching with aggression was working but then I no longer felt aggressive and some people either so that didn’t work anymore . I think it made blogging to me confusing
Ha! Glad you enjoyed!
Most general writing advice is for non-fiction which is a damn Shame