The simplest (and best) writing advice from Natalie Goldberg

When you sit down to write, let go of any expectations. Tell yourself: “I am free to write the worst junk in the world.” This helps to lower inhibition and avoid disappointment.

Try writing in a stream of consciousness for a set amount of time (e.g. 10 mins). Don’t pause, don’t edit, don’t worry about spelling. Let it all come out unfiltered: thoughts and observations free from the control of your inner critic.

Learn to trust your process and your voice. A good process produces good results.

Whatever goal you set for yourself, don’t be judgemental if you don’t hit it. Nobody lives up to their ideal, so it’s not worth getting anxious about.

Our senses soak up all sorts of details, but they need time to be processed. It’s hard to write about a love affair with any perspective when you’re still in its throes. Let your experiences “compost” in your mind before they get turned into material.

We learn to write by doing it. Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. Just get on with it. There are no gadgets or formulas that will make the process easier. The act of writing feels better than any excuse not to.

Use original detail: real things you’ve observed and remember. These are the building blocks of all good writing; there is no substitute. It will make your work authentic and credible.

Experiment. The ones who aren’t afraid of failure are the ones who succeed.

You really only need to do four things to become a better writer: read widely, listen carefully, write lots, and don’t think too much.

Never give up on your relationship with writing. Have patience; don’t dread it. It’s much easier to engage with when you’re on good terms with the practice. So think of it like breathing: having other things on your plate doesn’t mean you should ever stop.