Writing can feel like magic sometimes. The words flow, the ideas come together, and suddenly you’re looking at a page that feels alive. But let’s be real—it doesn’t always work that way. There are days when the blank screen just stares back at you, taunting you. That’s when it helps to lean on the wisdom of those who’ve been there before: the masters of the craft.
This post gathers some of the most practical, memorable, and sometimes surprising writing tips from famous authors. They’re not lofty, untouchable ideals. They’re grounded, lived-in bits of advice that real writers have used to finish books, connect with readers, and build lasting careers.
So grab a notebook, pour a coffee, and let’s dig in.
There’s something comforting about hearing straight from the source. When you listen to authors tips on writing a book, you realize they struggle too. Even the greats admit to procrastination, insecurity, and messy first drafts. The difference is—they’ve figured out how to push through.
And while not every tip will fit your style, even one piece of advice can shift your perspective. Sometimes, that one line is enough to get you back to the keyboard.
One of the most repeated lessons? Don’t expect perfection out of the gate. Anne Lamott famously called them “sh*tty first drafts.” It’s a reminder that the magic happens in revision, not the first go.
When you stop demanding brilliance from draft one, you free yourself up to experiment, fail, and keep writing. And failure, by the way, is part of a secret way of writing that many seasoned authors swear by—letting yourself stumble until you find the rhythm.
Stephen King insists on writing every single day, holidays included. He treats it like showing up to work. For him, discipline is what keeps the words flowing.
But other bestselling authors disagree. They say it’s more about consistency than daily grind. Some prefer writing in bursts, with breaks in between to recharge. The real tip? Figure out your rhythm. Are you a sprinter or a marathoner? Neither is wrong.
Almost every bestselling author shares this one: read widely. Read good books, bad books, classics, trashy paperbacks, essays, even instruction manuals. Reading teaches you rhythm, structure, dialogue, and style in ways no classroom ever could.
And here’s the kicker—bad writing teaches as much as good writing. You learn what not to do, and that can be even more valuable.
Toni Morrison, who wrote while raising children and working a demanding job, often stressed carving out sacred time for writing. Sometimes it was at dawn, sometimes late at night, but it was hers.
If you wait for the “perfect” time to write, you’ll wait forever. Protect the scraps of time you have. That’s one of the overlooked secrets of the bestselling author—not magic, but persistence.
Every writer starts out sounding like the authors they admire. That’s normal. But eventually, you’ve got to find your own voice. Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” That agony eases when you stop imitating and start trusting your own sound.
The hardest part is believing your voice is worth hearing. Spoiler: it is.
This one might sting: writing is work. Fun, fulfilling work, yes, but still work. That’s why so many writing tips from famous authors emphasize persistence. Ernest Hemingway compared writing to bleeding at a typewriter. Dramatic? Maybe. But he wasn’t wrong about the struggle.
If you treat writing as play only, you’ll quit when it gets tough. If you treat it as craft, you’ll keep going.
Every writer faces rejection. Stephen King’s Carrie was rejected 30 times before being published. Imagine if he’d given up. Now imagine the shelves without him.
Hearing “no” doesn’t mean you’re bad. It means you’re part of the club. The real test is whether you keep submitting. That, again, is part of a secret way of writing—not just the act of writing, but the act of staying in the game.
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Mark Twain put it bluntly: “Don’t say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream.” Readers don’t need to be spoon-fed. They want to feel smart, to connect the dots.
This is one of the authors tips on writing a book that separates amateurs from professionals. Trust your readers. They’ll love you more for it.
This idea comes up often. Stephen King says he writes with his wife in mind. Others imagine a childhood friend or a mentor. By narrowing your focus, your writing becomes sharper and more intimate.
Trying to please everyone waters down your words. Writing for one person makes your work feel alive. And isn’t that the essence of secrets of the bestselling author—connection, not just sales?
If you only write when you feel inspired, you won’t write much. Inspiration is fickle. Discipline is reliable. As Jack London said, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
That doesn’t mean force words when you’re empty. It means create conditions where inspiration can find you—at your desk, with pen in hand.
Sometimes the best writing tip is to walk away. Many bestselling authors recommend stopping mid-scene or mid-thought so you know exactly where to pick up next time. It keeps the momentum alive and makes it easier to dive back in.
Dragging yourself through exhaustion often leads to sloppy work. Save that energy for tomorrow.
When the rejections pile up, when the words won’t come, when doubt feels louder than confidence—go back to the beginning. Why did you start writing in the first place?
That reason—whether it’s to tell a story that won’t leave your head, to process your own life, or to entertain—is what will carry you through. Every bestselling author has had to return to their “why” at some point. You will too.
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Advice is just that—advice. You don’t have to follow every tip from every famous writer. In fact, you shouldn’t. What works for Hemingway might not work for you. What inspires Toni Morrison might not resonate at all.
But scattered throughout these lessons are gems you can pocket and carry forward. Write messy drafts. Read constantly. Protect your time. Trust your voice. And above all, keep going.
Because at the end of the day, the real secrets of the bestselling author aren’t hidden tricks or mystical formulas. They’re ordinary habits, practiced daily, until they create extraordinary results.
So, if you’re staring at that blank page right now, take heart. You’ve got the tools. You’ve got the stories. All that’s left is to begin.
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