Daniel’s Reviews > On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft > Status Update
Daniel
is on page 200 of 320
9:
Writing is a practice. It should feel fun and never exhausting or strenuous. Think of it like you are archaeologist uncovering dinosaur bones. Both in how steadily and slowly you must use your tools, but also knowing when to quit or knowing when you don’t actually have a fossil to dig up and throwing the story out in your archive.
— 2 hours, 52 min ago
Writing is a practice. It should feel fun and never exhausting or strenuous. Think of it like you are archaeologist uncovering dinosaur bones. Both in how steadily and slowly you must use your tools, but also knowing when to quit or knowing when you don’t actually have a fossil to dig up and throwing the story out in your archive.
Like flag
Daniel’s Previous Updates
Daniel
is on page 195 of 320
8: draw characters from what you know and let them decide what to do.
— 14 hours, 12 min ago
Daniel
is on page 189 of 320
7: write dialogue how people speak. It takes practice and listening to how people actually talk.
— Dec 27, 2025 07:22PM
Daniel
is on page 180 of 320
6:
When writing descriptions, say what you see then get on with the story. It’s easier to over describe than under describe.
— Dec 27, 2025 05:19PM
When writing descriptions, say what you see then get on with the story. It’s easier to over describe than under describe.
Daniel
is on page 173 of 320
Plotting is a big no-no. Be a “pants-er” (I always felt this was the right way to write but unfortunately followed advice of unknown authors with Youtube channels)
— Dec 27, 2025 03:37PM
Daniel
is on page 163 of 320
Write about work/jobs. Write about what you know.
— Dec 27, 2025 11:40AM
Daniel
is on page 157 of 320
Need a routine. Try to stick with amount of time writing rather than words written. But I should be getting around 1,000 words per day. Allow yourself one day a week off of writing at first. But see this as urgent. The book NEEDS written. It’s not a want. There’s a deadline to where you will fizzle out and it is usually within 3-4 months. Write fast.
— Dec 27, 2025 11:32AM
Daniel
is on page 155 of 320
Write every day unless you want to forget your story. 10 pages a day is too high, but 2 pages a day is realistic. That puts finishing a first draft at about 6 months.
— Dec 27, 2025 11:26AM
Daniel
is on page 151 of 320
Skipping the biography section. Not interested in the author’s life.
— Dec 26, 2025 07:41PM
