10 Writing And Creative Lessons I Learnt In 2024 - Part 1

Announcement: Becoming A Writer podcast and newsletter is going on a six-month break. We'll meet again in April 2027. E50 - I’m Learning to Trust the Process of Becoming a Writer Episode Summary: What does it really mean to trust the process when you’re pursuing a writing dream? In this episode, I explore this through the metaphor of a map and compass: the map shows me where I want to go, but the compass—the quieter voice of my own inner knowing—guides me through the route I cannot yet see. I reflect on how detours, pauses, unexpected challenges, and even moments of doubt can shape us into the writers we need to become. Trusting the process isn’t passive waiting or blind faith. For me, it means developing self-belief, having faith in the journey, taking action in the direction that feels right, and staying connected to my love for writing—even when the outcome remains uncertain. Key Points Discussed: Why our need for certainty is a natural response to uncertainty. The difference between following a predetermined map and listening to our inner compass. How detours and difficult seasons can develop the skills, perspective, and strength our dreams require. Why the treasure we’re pursuing can change as our relationship with it deepens. My formula for trusting the process: (Self-Belief + Faith + Action in the Right Direction) × Love. Takeaways: Trust yourself: You don’t need to know exactly how you’ll get there to believe you can figure it out. Keep moving, but stay responsive: Pay attention to what your writing and life are showing you, and let that information shape your next step. Stay connected to the work itself: Outcomes matter, but love for the act of writing can sustain you when the destination remains unclear.

E49 - I Realized I Didn’t Need to Learn More—I Needed to Become a Writer Episode Summary: For a long time, I thought becoming a better writer meant learning more. I read more books, studied more techniques, explored the business of writing—and somehow ended up feeling more like a beginner than ever. Eventually, I realised I had confused learning about writing with actually becoming a writer. In this episode, I explore the shift from collecting knowledge to building a writer identity. Drawing on James Clear’s idea of identity-based habits, I talk about “casting votes” for the writer I want to become through small, meaningful acts of writing. The goal isn’t perfect consistency or productivity, but building trust in myself by repeatedly choosing the work. Key Points Discussed: Why endless learning can leave writers feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. The difference between knowing about writing and identifying as a writer. How inner work shapes the transition into your ideal writer self. What it means to “cast votes” for your writer identity. How the question “What would my Ideal Writer Self do?” can guide difficult moments. Takeaways: Choose the writer you want to become, then give yourself small pieces of evidence that you are already becoming her. Don’t turn writing into a test of consistency. Returning to the work after a break still counts. When you feel lost, ask what your Ideal Writer Self would do—and take the smallest sustainable step in that direction.

E48 - The Day I Finally Gave Myself Permission to Write Episode Summary: For years, I believed I had to become "ready" before I could call myself a writer. I kept searching for the perfect advice, the perfect process, and the perfect moment to begin. But all that learning became a way of postponing the one thing that would actually help me grow: writing. This episode is about the moment I stopped waiting for a future version of myself and finally gave myself permission to begin with the writer I already was. I reflect on how much of our hesitation comes from believing we need to prove ourselves before our words are worthy. Whether it's waiting for more confidence, more knowledge, or external validation, those conditions keep moving further away. Real momentum begins when I stop measuring myself against someone else's path and start writing from where I am today, trusting that every honest page shapes the writer I'm becoming. Key Points Discussed: How endless learning can quietly become a form of procrastination. Why permission to write matters more than permission from others. Letting go of unrealistic expectations about productivity and success. Finding writing ideas by paying attention to my present thoughts, memories, and emotions. Trusting that my writing voice develops through practice, not perfection.

E47 - I Was Doing Everything Except Writing (And It Was Holding Me Back) Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect on my early attempt at building an audience through YouTube before becoming a writer. While the platform seemed like the logical path, I soon realized that creating videos drained my energy rather than fueling it. Through that experience, I discovered an important truth: I had become so distracted by everything surrounding Writing that I had stopped prioritizing the act of writing itself. I share how returning to online writing through Medium and Substack helped me reconnect with my original dream of becoming a writer and taught me the importance of keeping the main thing the main thing. Key Points Discussed Why building a YouTube channel felt misaligned despite good intentions. The difference between enjoying the message and enjoying the medium. How fear, overwhelm, and endless learning delayed my writing journey. The distinction between being a writer and being an author. Why writing should come before marketing, publishing, audience growth, and productivity systems. How prioritizing writing led to more ideas, greater creative energy, and a stronger connection to my work. The importance of treating writing like a real job rather than an optional activity. Takeaways Your primary creative goal should guide your daily priorities. Supporting tasks are valuable, but they should never replace the actual work. Inspiration often appears after you begin, not before. Protect your best energy for the work that matters most. Identify what counts as writing for you and make it a non-negotiable priority. No amount of planning, marketing, or preparation can replace putting words on the page. The main thing is to keep Writing the main thing.

E46 - Excerpt from my book Soul Writer Vs Social Writer 📚 My non-fiction book for writers -Soul Writer vs. Social Writer - Find Out Which One Are You?, Why Is It Important, and Finding Your Sweet Spot.Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6JBL7MAmazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CL6JBL7MAmazon India - https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0CL6JBL7M