What Shall I Write? by Ken West

I've discovered the secret of writing—it’s always about something. Without “something” to write about, there is no point in writing. Therefore, if you seek to write, you need something to say.

But, what if you don’t know what to write about? Maybe you have so many ideas floating around in your head that you can’t decide where to begin. So, what do you do?  

How do you choose your topic for your first (or next) piece of writing? You sit down and begin writing. I didn't know what I was going to write about for this post, so I took my own advice and started writing. (I must admit that I stared at the empty space in front of me first.)

Then I wrote the words “by Ken West.” Then, above that, I wrote the question I was facing, “What Shall I Write?” Strangely, I began writing on that topic. Words followed—the ones you are reading right now.

Quite a while ago, I learned another important secret of writing: Don’t edit yourself while you write. Let the words come out whether they seem to make sense or are spelled correctly or not. You are NOT the editor when you begin writing. You are the writer. You can allow the editor part of yourself rip it apart later, BUT NOT NOW. 

Sometimes it’s good to have a trinity of points, so let me add a third, seemingly contradictory secret—ignore all advice and write the way that works best for you—but write.

Let's sum up and restate these writing secrets:

1. Writing is always about something. Grab one of the ideas floating around in your head, and begin writing what you think about it.

2. Don’t edit yourself while you write. To do so will block your flow.  Edit later, not now.

3. Write the way that works best for you (even ignoring #2)—but write. 

Now, here’s a bonus secret. Allow me to whisper this one in your ear because it’s just between you and me, “Write every day.” Don't tell anyone. It's our secret. 


Ken West is the author of Get What You Want, a workbook to help get focused fast on what’s most important to you—then do something about it right away. (Or perhaps "Write Away.") It’s available worldwide on Amazon.com and other outstanding online book dealers.  http://www.amazon.com/Get-What-You-Want-Reactivate/dp/0982577702