Thinking about that assertion that real writers write every day

it's a deeply damaging assertion

I mean right off the top it's ableist and classist--there are plenty of real writers out there who have health conditions that mean they have days where writing's simply out of the question. there are plenty of real writers out there who have to work long hours just to pay rent.

But some people have said stuff to me like, "but you have free time. you don't have a day job. you don't have kids or a spouse. you don't even have a cat! of course *you* are writing every day."

hate to break it to you, friend.

I don't.

and I ain't even feel bad about it anymore. some people thrive with a routine that means that they write something every day, like a regular practice or a touchstone or a deep commitment to the craft or a hundred other comparisons.

That's awesome.

But it's not me.

What I have discovered is that a LOT of things writers are "supposed" to do just don't work for me. and the fact that they don't work for me is not a sign that there is something wrong with me. What was wrong with me was trying to deny my way of doing things.

so try stuff. try writing every day - and if it doesn't work, don't feel bad. try structured outlines - and if it doesn't work, try something else. if you read something in a craft book and your first response is, "I don't do that," don't automatically assume that you are wrong.