'Read a Lot. Write a Lot.' is HORRIBLE writing advice

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As writers, we are constantly told the key to getting better at writing is to:

• Read a lot.
• Write a lot.

Unfortunately, while it's quippy and easy to say, it's terrible advice.

At best, it wastes years of your life. At worst, it solidifies bad habits and actually makes you a worse writer.

In this video Tim Grahl, CEO and Publisher of Story Grid, walks you through why this advice doesn't work and shares the practices that will actually improve your writing.

✍️ Join our next Scene Writing Workshop: https://storygrid.com/training?utm_so...

☎️ Stuck with your writing? Book a free call with Tim: https://storygrid.com/help/?utm_sourc...

Deep Dive on Genre:    • What is Genre? (You'll be surprised a...  

Here are some helpful links:
• What is a Masterwork? https://storygrid.com/masterworks/
• How to Give Helpful Writing Feedback https://storygrid.com/writer-feedback/
• Writing Groups: How to Keep Them Positive and Helpful https://storygrid.com/writing-groups/
• Foolscap: Your Book on One Page https://storygrid.com/foolscap/
• Editor's Six Core Questions https://storygrid.com/editors-six-cor...
• Story Grid 624: Scene Analysis https://storygrid.com/story-grid-624/
• Story Grid Spreadsheet https://storygrid.com/spreadsheet/

00:43 - LOGICALLY the advice doesn't work
01:17 - Survivorship Bias
02:07 - DOING and TEACHING are different skills
03:39 - PRACTICALLY the advice doesn't work
05:01 - Study Masterworks
07:53 - What happens if you just 'write a lot'?
09:01 - Deliberately practice writing skills
11:34 - Learn to write scenes
12:05 - Deliberate practice

🙋‍♀️ Have a question or topic for a future episode? http://storygrid.com/youtube-questions