“Just write 500 words a day.”
“Use bullet points!”
“Make sure you’re giving someone value!”
I could feel my eyes start to roll.
There I was on Substack again, doom-scrolling through the modern paradox I’ve come to loathe: writers writing about writing, who don’t actually write.
At least not fiction.
Not stories.
Not anything meant to entertain a human being who didn’t have to enter their email to find out.
Instead, all I saw was writing-advice inception—about non-fiction writing. Writers coaching writers on how to write newsletters about writing newsletters, all coming together in a perfectly closed loop.
And people were eating it up.
But when I saw that—if I’m being honest—I felt pissed.
Not because their advice isn’t good.
Much of it is. Especially if you’re focused on building a brand or selling a service.
I was mad because the people giving advice—and modern writing culture itself—seem to have forgotten an entire side of writing: the creative side. The side that gets turned into movies, shows, and anything and everything to help someone forget about their day.
Because when I think about writing, I don’t think about frameworks, bullet points, or hacks for the algorithm.
I think about entertaining someone.
And what really gets my blood boiling is this: as a creative writer, all this non-fiction identity had started to cloud my goalposts. Read enough advice repeated enough times, and I started wondering if I was doing it all wrong.
But then I took a step back and remembered something simple:
If you’re a fiction writer, don’t compare yourself to non-fiction writers.
Because you’re not behind. You’re just playing a different game—with different goalposts.
The Talent vs. the Teacher
The truth is, creative writing and non-fiction writing are playing two different games.
The goal of non-fiction writing is to teach. You’re rewarded by your ability to help people, solve problems, and give good advice.
But in fiction, your goal is to entertain.
You’re rewarded by your ability to make people forget about their day.
And that’s a huge difference.
Think about it this way: say you love guitar.
There are endless teachers on YouTube who can show you scales, techniques, and how to get better.
And that’s valuable.
Needed even.
But when you’re driving alone at night down a long, empty highway, you’re not listening to guitar lessons.
You’re listening to music.
And creative writing works the same way.
Which means most writing advice isn’t wrong—it’s just aimed at the teacher, not the performer.
The Advice Isn’t Wrong—It’s Just for a Different Game
Most popular writing advice isn’t bad. It’s just wildly misapplied if you’re a creative writer.
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“Teach something.” Is great—if you’re selling a course.
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“Write only in your niche.” is fantastic—if you’re building a brand.
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“Consistency beats talent.” Sure—if what you’re producing is repeatable, scalable, and optimized for an algorithm.
But fiction fundamentally doesn’t work like that.
Because fiction isn’t about solving a problem.
Fiction is the problem.
You’re not organizing ideas—you’re inventing experiences.
You’re not delivering clarity—you’re creating tension.
You’re not building trust—you’re hijacking attention.
None of that fits neatly into a five-step content strategy.
Because creative writing requires you to sit alone with uncertainty and still put something on the page.
You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Not Playing Their Game
Here’s the part nobody says out loud:
If you compare yourself to non-fiction writers, you will almost always feel lazy, unfocused, and behind.
Because their job is to produce useful output—clear, helpful, repeatable work that answers a question.
And in my opinion, compared to inventing something interesting from nothing, that’s a pretty straightforward problem to solve.
But as a creative writer, your job is to produce interesting output.
And that’s hard.
There’s no quick hack for it. You have to suffer through it. You doubt yourself, and you write anyway.
Which means you shouldn’t obsess over writing 500 words a day.
You should focus on writing whatever makes you feel something that day.
A non-fiction writer wins by being clear, reliable, and helpful.
A fiction writer wins by being memorable.
That’s the difference.
Because no one finishes a novel and says:
“Wow, that really clarified my worldview in bullet-point form.”
They say:
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“I couldn’t stop reading.”
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“I forgot what time it was.”
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“I could see the story in my mind.”
And in my biased opinion, that’s the highest compliment a writer can get.
Full Circle
Here’s the paradox most writers should follow: both disciplines actually benefit each other.
If a non-fiction writer learns to write creatively, their advice becomes more entertaining—and more memorable in a sea of easily reproduced content.
And fiction writers grow when they borrow selectively from non-fiction habits.
Presentation matters.
Clarity matters.
Consistency matters.
The key is to focus on the core principles.
“Write 500 words per day” really means: write consistently.
“Teach something” really means: reveal a human truth.
“Write in your niche” really means: your voice is the niche.
And that’s okay.
Just remember this:
Most writing advice focuses on non-fiction because it’s easy to teach, easy to monetize, and easy to scale.
Those are great things—if that’s your goal.
But if your goal is to write creatively, the only question that matters is:
How can you make people feel?
And you’re rewarded by the stories that do.
Please like, comment, share and tell me what you think. Do you agree?
Follow me on substack here: Tonysbologna | Anthony Robert | Substack
The real fiction is the belief of the non fiction teachers is that they sincerely believe that one side of writing instruction fits all. Maybe the need to understand grammar and spelling..
So damn true! Appreciate you my friend
I write fiction, and you nailed it. Non fiction advice is everywhere. They teach and preach it. Us fiction folks have to fend for ourselves, and that’s just fine. We don’t need no steenkin’ preachin’.
Ain’t need no more of them steekin’ preachin’
Excellent post! You hit every one of my writing advice peeves!!
Hands down the best fiction writing advice I have ever received is “Write what you want to read.”
As the years have gone by I have come to understand that includes grammar, style, voice and readability in conjunction with content.
So adapt that to write the reading experience you would enjoy and get lost in.
I figure if I read my own stories and can’t enjoy or engage with them it’s time to revise until I can.
Such good advice and so very true! Appreciate you reading
And then there are those of us who do not fit in any categorical box. I write poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, and I truly just follow my heart and mind with all of it.
There are so many people with so many “Do This” and Do That” soap boxes that I honestly do not try to keep up.
But this… this, I appreciate.
Thanks so much Tre – you’re a true writer and expressing what’s on your mind is peak confidence!
🙏🏾🩵 Thank you. And you’re welcome.
You write what you feel, too, that’s evident.
Absolutely spot on advice for fiction, nothing like the supression of creativity. If I received non fiction writing advice I’d straight up ask a follow up in how said advice is relevant ti fiction writing.
You nailed the point as usual, Tony. The fact that I’m a pantser means I’m allergic to most of the advice that’s out there. I have an idea, I write it down, with a beginning middle and end, with the most correct grammar, spelling, believable characters and plot that I can. I don’t want charts or sheets or story beats; those things aren’t for me, but I respect those for whom they work. Once, when I was working in educational support for students with disabilities, I got to attend seminars on creative writing. This was before I’d started writing books myself, but it struck me as money for old rope. Read extensively and learn from it the things that feel right for you; for me, that’s the best advice. Thanks for another great topic Tony. Have a good week. 😊
Loved your post! It’s a great reminder to avoid distractions and self criticism that come from holding ourselves to the wrong definition of the craft.
Haha, Tony. This is probably the only sensible advice I’ve read in about a hundred years. Love it.
Well I’ll tell you, Tony, I just don’t listen to writing advice anymore for just the reasons you’ve just talked about. Every morning, around 4:30, I bring my first cuppa coffee to the keyboard. If I’m lucky, I spin out a yarn or two. But, on those days I can’t seem to get anything down “on paper” I don’t let it upset me. Some days are gold, some days are dirt. So, I no longer read those “advice” articles. I’m a lot happier, too!
You are a very wise man! I follow a similar routine and have similar experiences
Whew! You should feel better after getting all of that spot-on stuff out…
Like a new man! Thanks so much my friend
This was very helpful and encouraging. Thank you.
Absolutely!
I can totally relate to everything here. I write both. My non-fiction is my Bible studies. My fiction is what I do to make a person turn the page and forget what time it is.
That’s the way to do it
This post clearly resonated with a lot of people, including me. Over the last several years, it’s felt like the only “valid” writing is e-mail newsletters. It feels like if you’re not building a brand, then you’re wasting your time. Thanks for giving fiction writers their due!
Yeah, Tony, my characters write my stories. Half the time, I read my work back and think I didn’t expect that, and where the f** * did that come from.
I try to do the same thing – it’s honest character writing
I agree, Tony! Thanks for the clarity. Right On and Write On!
Tony totally agree. thanks for the encouragement. grace&peace jlk
No worries at my friend, thank you for talking me
Fiction and non fiction are indeed different–as are different types of fiction; literary vs popular (and within that, the genres). Each has its requirements and its rewards.
Oooh…I like this. Thanks Tony. You’ve helped me understand something that has been puzzling me. And, it was entertaining.
You made my day reading this! Thank you
You should have one of those buy me a coffee thingies.
great point tony. creative writing is extremely personal and one size fits all advice for another class of writing isn’t going to work for it. thanks for writing!
I write whatever I feel. Fiction is my favorite. There’s something magical about bringing a dead to life. Excel post by you. Keep writing.
Finally! This needed to be said. It seems like nonfiction writing advice completely dominates the Internet. I fell in love with writing fiction at an early age, but I pursued Journalism because it was more “serious.” But I’m finally returning to my roots, and I’ve never been happier. Thanks for the article!
Thank you for such a sensible post. I often read posts that don’t apply to fiction, but are written as if they do.
And posts about story structure, too. I, like one of your commenters, am a pantser. I don’t start thinking about inciting incidents, plot points, etc. They happen. If needed. If readers want the 3 act plot, fine, but I’m not writing to a formula.
And that’s why I’ve given up taking much notice of many ‘experts.’
The american fiction, is that you need to have readers and make money, if you are doing fiction it is because you think you have something to say, the rest is just words. Nice thoughts.