#256. Why “Just Start Writing” Can Be Terrible Advice for New Writers

Everyone tells you to just start writing. Nobody tells you when. And if you keep starting your novel and stalling out a few chapters in, that missing piece might be exactly why. “Just start writing” is one of the most common pieces of writing advice out there, and for some writers, it's exactly what they need to hear. But if you're a brand-new writer who's still figuring out your story, following this advice too soon can leave you stuck, overwhelmed, and wondering why your first draft keeps falling apart. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "just start writing" isn't bad advice—it's just incomplete. You'll learn when this advice helps, when it hurts, and how to tell if your story foundation is strong enough to draft with confidence rather than guesswork. You'll hear me talk about things like: [01:20] Why "just start writing" works for some writers but quietly sabotages others before they ever finish a first draft. [02:19] The two very different ways new writers get stuck and how to tell which one sounds most like you. [05:01] The difference between productive story development and fear disguised as endless preparation. [06:20] The foundational story elements you need before drafting, so every writing session feels purposeful rather than overwhelming. [09:42] How to know when you've planned enough and it's finally time to stop preparing and start writing. Whether you've been rewriting the same opening chapter, abandoning more drafts than you can count, or "getting ready" to write for months, this episode will help you understand how to build enough story clarity to draft with direction instead of confusion. Because the goal isn't to choose between planning forever and drafting blindly—it's knowing when you've built the foundation your story needs so you can finally finish your novel. 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Get on the Notes to Novel Waitlist Ep. 203 - Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead) Ep. 225 - Madi: From Zero Drafts to Dream Agent While Raising 4 Kids Ep. 228 - How Poornika Finished Her First Draft in 88 Days Ep. 239 - How J.J. Henley Finished Her First Draft in 8 Months ⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show