(And Why You Should, Too) - intentional clickbait -
If you ask TikTok or YouTube, they will tell you that there is a system to write a bestseller. Just do this, and that, use this beat sheet, have this morning routine and voilà, you are successful. Now I have drafted a full novel, started a second while the first is in the hands of an editor, planning a third, and countless short stories, and I can confidently inform you that all those people are lying.
The Algorithm's False Promises
Open any social media platform, and you'll be bombarded with writing advice: "Write 2000 words before breakfast!" "Use this story structure that GUARANTEES success!" "I made £10,000 in my first month with this ONE TRICK!" - Follow the algorithm and the more outrageous the claim, the more views it gets and the more it is promoted. What you have is a cycle that perpetuates the idea of simplicity that is actually damaging.
These “writing gurus” are not necessarily trying to con people. They are meeting the platform’s expectation: short, easy-to-consume content that preys on people’s desire for quick and simple solutions. But writing? It’s not a fast process or an easy one. It demands time, patience, and personal discovery.
The Writing Monetization Trap
Behind many of these "free tips" lurks a carefully constructed marketing funnel. You watch a video about character development, and it’s all nice and sweet with a tip on how you can become a better writer, and it ends by asking you to enrol in a £499 course. Now, that is not to say that there is anything wrong in offering to charge for the provision of information – the problem lies in the fact that the good, solid, and detailed writing advice is hidden under an avalanche of get-rich-quick schemes.
This is quite problematic as far as writing education is concerned, as there are only a few people who can actually afford the course and they get to learn all about craft discussions while others are left with tips that really only scrape the surface. It is especially discouraging because there are more often than not, free resources that are useful in the journey of a writer including library books, writing groups, and online communities.
My Reality Check
When I was writing the first novel, I violated all the rules that the authors from these social media state. I wrote 440 pages without an outline and following the plot structure that the videos did not describe in detail. Was it messy? Yes, it was. Did I make mistakes? Yes, I made a lot of them. But I finished it. I also got to understand that there are sections that are good while others are not, through several revisions. Most importantly, I knew when to seek professional help, hiring an editor who could see what I could not.
For my current projects, I am taking completely different approaches. The first novel was written without an outline and I am using the same method for the second book. For my third novel I am writing it as a collection of short stories which I am using to develop the world and the mythology of the series. It is a Mayan and Sumerian-inspired fantasy. I have worked for months on the details of the cultures, languages, and the complex systems of mythologies. None of this fits into a neat TikTok video or "5 Easy Steps" tutorial.
Finding Your Path
The truth about writing is both simpler and more complex than social media suggests. There's no universal formula because every story demands its own approach. Some tales flow naturally from start to finish, while others need careful plotting. Some writers thrive on strict routines, while others produce their best work in sporadic bursts of creativity.
What actually helps?
1. Reading widely in and outside your genre
2. Writing regularly (but on your schedule)
3. Finding genuine communities of fellow writers
4. Learning to recognize when you need to switch methods
5. Understanding that what works for one project might not work for another
Let me give you a concrete example: For my current fantasy project I had to develop a language that would feel genuine for a particular culture.
There was nothing that a video with “5 tips for creating a great language’ could teach me. So I had to sit down and work on it for months, I had to learn about Mayan and Sumerian linguistics, the phonology, morphology and how they produced meaning of the words.
The outcome is not some kind of mix between the two languages, but something that is completely new and was inspired by both of them: words like ‘Chaa’k’lum’aaq’ (which is a civilization, stems from the words Cha’k – rain god, Lum – Earth, and Aaq – Turtle, and it abstracts from myths of world-turtle mythology found in many cultures), and ‘Kúrki’i’k’iin’ (Kúr – destroy, and Ki’i’k – blood, which in the context of my novel indicates sun mega flares or sun cycles), which have the feel of ancient myths.
This kind of deep world-building isn't something you can rush or simplify. It requires patience, research, and the freedom to experiment until you find what feels right. Try explaining that in a 60-second TikTok!
Learn how to build that confidence and believe in yourself and what you are doing (it is one of the hardest parts, luckily I have a great support system in my sisters and partner). The best writing advice should nurture you to find your own way, not herd you like sheep into someone else's rigid template.
Breaking Free
The next time you see a video promising "THE SECRET TO WRITING SUCCESS!" remember this: if there were truly a secret formula to writing success, everyone would be using it. The real secret is that there is no secret - just the hard, rewarding work of finding your own voice and method.
Instead of chasing quick fixes, invest your time in what actually matters: reading, writing, and connecting with genuine writing communities.
Join a local writing group. Read craft books from established authors. Find beta readers who give honest feedback. These might not be as flashy as viral writing tips, but they'll take you much further on your writing journey.
Remember, every successful author you admire got there by developing their own unique process. It's time we stopped looking for shortcuts and embraced the beautiful complexity of the writing craft.
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