Writing Advice from Samatha Bryant: There is no magic feather, Dumbo.

Dear Samantha,

There is no magic feather, Dumbo.

I hate to break it to you, kid. I know you want there to be. You want to buy the “right” software, or use the “right” kind of chart, and write at the “right” time of day and for that to magically make your words flow onto the page and the profits directly into your bank account. You want this to be easy.

But the truth is, writing is *real* magic, and that’s always slippery stuff–full of sacrifices, experimentation, and failure. Real magic is individual to the practitioner, and you can’t cast someone else’s spells and expect results. You’ve got to build your own.

There isn’t a right way, though there are definitely wrong ways. You’ll have to try some of them before you know they’re wrong. You can only learn so much by listening and reading and considering. The rest has to come from doing.

But I know you, Samantha. You’re fiercer than you think you are. What some call stubbornness or obstinacy is also known as determination in other circles. You think you want this to be easy, but you are proudest of the things you’ve done that were difficult. This is no different. Not everyone has what it takes, but you do.

So, stop looking for a recipe to follow. You’re making a dish the world has never tasted. And it’s going to be delicious. Bon voyage!

Love,
Samantha