Fuck.
I said it under my breath and pushed away from my desk, my chair digging lines into the carpet.
My usual response to writer’s block.
I had a story in my head — my Willy Wonka story — but when I went to write it out, I couldn’t find my rhythm.
I started.
I stopped.
I picked up my phone and did about twelve other things the gurus tell you not to do.
And eventually I returned.
Now, typically when I’m feeling like this I’ll start jotting down random ideas and eventually one will reveal itself. But if I’m being honest, the only thing on my mind was BBQ. I’d had barbecue at work earlier that week — my dad’s favorite meal — and I couldn’t quite shake it.
So I started writing. Maybe fifteen sentences. Then I went back to the silly Willy Wonka story.
But when I looked back, the BBQ story was better. Much better. And this was something I wrote with no intention of publishing.
So I sit here now, wondering one thing. Why?
What makes writing good?
That’s the question we all circle back to.
How do we find good in something as subjective as taste?
I’ve written this before, but I believe good writing is writing that makes you feel.
After all. It’s the only through-line I could find across all my favorite books — I felt something.
But I think in retrospect, that I was only scratching the surface. Because underneath writing that makes you feel, there’s an invisible layer: honesty. You know, writing from a true place.
And truth doesn’t mean nonfiction.
Plenty of fiction is honest, and plenty of memoir is a performance. The truth is in where you’re writing from, not what you’re writing about.
When someone writes from a true place, you can feel it — and the feeling pours out of the work on its own, without being forced.
That’s why one story beat the other. The BBQ story came from somewhere real. The Willy Wonka one was just me performing.
So what does that actually mean — be honest with your work?
It means capturing what you really feel, which is harder than it sounds.
Most people, myself included, don’t want to look that directly at how we feel, because it’s real, and real is uncomfortable. It’s easier to write the clever version. The safe version. The one you think you’re supposed to write.
But if you’re sitting down to edit something, or start something new, that’s the place to write from. The uncomfortable one. The honest one.
Now, I’m not saying craft doesn’t matter. It does. Honesty alone won’t save a story that’s shapeless or boring — you still have to build the thing, cut the thing, and make it land.
A true feeling poured out raw is just a journal entry, and last I checked, although interesting, it’s not a story.
But if craft is the how. Honesty is the why.
You can learn structure, rhythm, where to cut — and you should. But what you can’t fake is the part underneath it, the reason the reader leans in. The spirit of good writing is honest.
The craft is just how you get that honesty to survive the trip to the page.
That’s where the BBQ was hiding the whole time.
Please like, comment, share, and tell me what you think. Do you agree? Let me know below.
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So true, also, I think we have to “believe” in the story we are writing, it has to “feel” real versus forced. Then the writing captures our readers hearts / attention. Here’s to a great writing day! The words will be flowing, story done and published! 😉
Cheers to that my friend, cheers to that!
I totally agree but I saw an interview with Lee Child recently where he said plot doesn’t really matter, characters do! So yeah the writing has to be good, but the characters have to be real. A reader needs to connect/like/love the protagonist and opposite for the antagonist, or even vice versa but they have to feel.
Yes, Lee Child understands what people want, and he writes to meet that need
Agreed
Spot on -spot on – I need to see this interview! Appreciate you reading my friend!
It was interesting if you want to see it this is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48bV61XKK0&list=LL&index=23
That is a really good point! I love Lee Child’s writing and the character of Reacher. With my novel “The Bayou Heist” I have a Cajun detective from the Bayous, Andre, and his lines crack me up. The character is so real and I steal some of my husband’s lines as he can make me laugh! I would like to think that Faith, the main character, who solves mysteries is like a female Jack Reacher except she has a permanent living space.
Sounds interesting. Yes I do like characters that can make me laugh. One of my main characters Jack makes me smile, another one, Janine just creases me up sometimes with her sarcasm.
Me, too!
True, we can only speak or write from our own experience and genuine interests. Anything else feels forced. Even advice falls short without the right context. I found your blog post very insightful!
So happy you did, thank you for reading!
You spoke the truth. I’m working on a story that I’ve had in mind for a while; basically I’m writing a sort of memoir from the point of view of one of my characters. Maybe if I can write his it will give me the fuel to write my own. So far, I think its good because I feel good while I’m writing it, and maybe that’s enough.
I would say that’s enough
Been trying to write scripts, fiction, and a memoir, all for as long as I can remember. I try to adhere to honesty vs forcing something that isn’t there, what kills me is the writers block that always finds a way into the rhythm when things suspiciously feel like they’re going too well.
Hahah been there so many times – you got this!
Yes good writing definitely makes you feel. It gives you a taste of the emotions that the writer felt when writing the piece and communicates it to the reader.
Couldn’t agree more my friend, thank you for reading!
I love this. I find my favorite writings to read/write are ones that feel honest. I love sitting down and dumping everything onto the page in a messy first draft, then go back and shape it later. I’ve found that feels more genuine than trying to make it sound perfect from the start or putting pressure to “preform” a certain way.
So true!
Feeling plus honesty plus craft is indeed a winning recipe, Tony! And you do it well!
Thank you so much Lori! You made my day!
I’m glad, Tony!🤓
I am glad!
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much!!
I agree, emotions determine everything. Quite a useful shortcut in anything human related not just storytelling, my motor functions of this body become more flexible when I let emotions guide my movements. Cool post
So true and very wise! I appreciate you!
Yeah that the difficult one … ❤️ I mean how honest can you be online ? I‘d love to write about my narcissistic former landlord but she’s my neighbour..or how I got my dream job around horses but the manger was the greatest narcissist I have ever ! Met and she destroyed everyone’s mental health
Ahh that sucks Ann! I’m sorry.
Pesonally, sometimes I frame it as, my friend. A few years ago etc. Still I’m sorry you had to go through that.
The truth is in where you’re writing from, not what you’re writing about. I quote
Exactly!
Anthony, your comments on writing from a true place in the post really hit a chord with me. I think realistically anyone can write but to really connect over time, words and moments must be true.
Thanks for reminding me of that.
So happy it did! We all (myself included) need to be reminded
I so needed to hear this, thanks!
So happy this helped! Thank you so much for reading! Hey – if you like that article – I wrote a book and you can get it for free on Kindle today if you’d like. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0H69KXPVT/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
The heart is elusive and can transverse in many ways at an instant it seems. Yet making the heart uncomfortable may in mysterious ways clear the clutter so that one can see which direction fits best. Which is probably just a small portion of what it takes in good writing. Nice post
Thank you so much for reading – I appreciate you.