Write Things: On the Paradox of Learning to Write

Hello writers,

I’m working through my Enhance Your Storytelling workshop with a dozen amateur writers, and I came across an obvious truth—one that, perhaps, isn’t often articulated.

Actually, it was the writers I’m working with who pointed it out. So, a big thank you to them for the inspiration for this newsletter.

This will help explain why, as writers, we often stop writing shortly after committing to grow and better understand the craft.

Idea: On Learning

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I have a lot to say about the inner critic and its paralyzing effects on our creativity and productivity as writers.

When we take the time to learn new ways to use language and structure to craft our stories, we inadvertently open the door to our inner critic when we make one critical mistake: trying to use what we’ve learned to write a story.

But Trevor, isn’t that the whole point of learning? To be able to apply it to our writing?

Yes—and no.

We should 100% use what we’ve learned to revise and enhance our stories.

We should never attempt to implement something new while writing our stories.

Did you catch the difference? Gold star if you know what I’m going to say next.

When we’re writing a story for the first time, we don’t want to engage our inner editor—or critic. This is when we play, experiment, and explore what our story might be about. We try to capture the feeling inside us, describe the image we see, or bring to life the banter we hear.

We should absolutely use clichés, be repetitive in our word choice, abuse adjectives and adverbs, and start every sentence the same way if need be.

We just want to get the story out.

Then, once we feel like all the parts have been written—like all the pieces of the puzzle are out of the box—we can go through it with a purposeful, critical eye and start assembling our story.

That’s when we want to practice and apply those new techniques and play with structure.

If we try to apply them while we write, well, you probably know how that feels. Slow, frustrating, cumbersome. Like you’re too busy thinking about how you’re writing instead of what you’re writing.

Good luck finishing your story, let alone getting into any sort of creative rhythm or flow with that approach.

And that’s why many amateur writers quit writing after taking the brave leap to learn how to do it.

They freeze, get frustrated, and fail. Then they assume it’s a sign they’re just not talented enough to be a writer.

And that tears me up inside.

Hopefully, this catches a couple of you before you throw in the towel.

Want to Keep Learning—Without Stalling?

If you’re interested in learning more about writing, I highly recommend checking out my Enhance Your Storytelling Self-Guided Course.

It covers 8 units of study over 24 weeks, and you get lifetime access to the newest version of the course (including all future upgrades).

Special Offer: If you grab it this weekend, you’ll also get access to the beta version of my Trevor Assistant for 6 months—free ($99 value).

Here’s what a few writers have said about using Trevor Assistant with the course:

“The Trevor Assistant (TA) feedback was excellent! I had thought my ending was a bit weak, and TA agreed, giving me a suggestion on how to improve it… Very cool, and [the response] came back within 2 minutes. Thanks again, ‘real’ Trevor!” – Kristin

“I’m extremely impressed with the Trevor Assistant. Not only did it offer amazing feedback, but I also felt like my writing was really ‘heard’ (if that makes sense). I will definitely be implementing the changes it suggests as I lengthen this piece for my book. This is an invaluable tool!” – Jocelyn

“I just tried Trevor Assistant, and the feedback was so helpful! I love the next-step suggestions and the explanation of why and how changes to the piece would affect the reader. Knowing the ‘how and why’ of things is key for me to buy into something new!” – Marcie

Invitation: "Cut in Half"

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above. This week, lean into the images, feelings, or ideas that feel important.

Afterward, decide whether to revise, continue, or leave it as is.

Forward this email to someone and ask them to do it too! Then share what you’ve written. Sharing imperfect work is a powerful antidote to the poison that is our inner critic.

Invitation: Create a New Habit

First drafts of stories—whether personal or fictional—can be so much fun. But how often do you go back and review what you’ve written to see how it can be improved?

Even if you’re not going to share or publish your story, the process of purposeful review with the intent to improve is how we grow as writers.

If you write at night, try reviewing what you’ve written the next morning. If you’re an early-bird writer, look over your writing before bed.

Try to find one improvement or implement one technique you’ve learned.

You’ll not only improve the quality of your story—but before you know it, you’ll be writing your first drafts that way.

Before you know it, you’ll be a better writer. 

Happy writing,

Trevor Martens

Founder, I Help You Write Things

P.S. My 2025 Mastermind has space for one more dedicated writer. I love to teach, I love to coach, and I love to work with individuals who want to get their writing out there. Sign up for March, and let’s get your manuscript done by Christmas. Payment plans are available.