It’s no secret that I’ve always loved writing—and a big part of that is because I understand how much words matter.

I first felt this magic when I was just 6 or 7, scribbling a story about my childhood dog, Missy, in crayon on bright sheets of construction paper. I still remember how proud I felt seeing my thoughts—my feelings—exist on paper in a way others could understand.

Years later, I still think that’s magical.
Because the words we choose shape the stories we tell.
And the stories we tell shape not just our own experiences—but the experiences of everyone who hears them.

That’s true whether you’re writing for fun, for work, or for your business.

But the truth is, writing doesn’t start magical.
It starts messy.
Unclear.
Unformed.
And that’s exactly where the good stuff begins.

Whether you’re drafting a launch blog, writing copy for a new website, or simply trying to get unstuck—here are 4 writing truths I swear by (plus where AI can help if you’re feeling blocked).

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✏️ 1. Embrace the Messy First Draft

This idea comes from Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, and it’s one of my all-time favorite writing truths:

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.”

So when you start writing—don’t aim for perfect.
Don’t edit as you go. Don’t organize or structure.
Just dump the ideas out.

The first draft isn’t the final product—it’s you figuring out what you’re trying to say. And that exploration? That’s where clarity comes from.

💡 Pro tip: Feeling blocked? Use AI to spark ideas, generate rough outlines, or suggest a few angles. It’s like having a writing buddy that helps you get out of your own way.

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🎯 2. Audience First, Always

Once your messy draft exists, it’s time to shape it for the people it’s meant for.

Ask yourself:

• What does my reader care about?
• What do they need to know?
• What’s just noise or filler?

Put your audience first—not your internal team or ego—and your writing becomes instantly clearer, more useful, and easier to act on.

💡 AI tip: Use tools to analyze interviews, summarize customer feedback, or pull common themes from reviews. They’ll help you speak in your audience’s language, not just your own.

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🔄 3. Don’t Start With the Introduction

One of the biggest writing blocks? Trying to craft the perfect intro before you know what the piece is about.

The introduction is a summary of your thinking—so don’t start there.

Write the middle first. Get your message down.
Then come back and write a hook that actually reflects your point.

💡 AI bonus: Once you have a full draft, paste it into your favorite AI tool and ask for 3 punchy intros or email subject lines. You might be surprised what pops out.

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🧠 4. Walk Away, Then Revise

The fastest path to clearer writing? Step away.

Whether it’s five minutes or overnight, time = clarity. Your brain keeps working in the background, and when you come back, you’ll spot what’s confusing, bloated, or off-tone.

And if you’re on deadline?

💡 Let AI help: Run your draft through an editing prompt while you take a walk. Use it to tighten long sentences, clarify phrasing, or check tone consistency.

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✅ TL;DR — Good Writing Is a Process

The best writing doesn’t start polished.
It starts raw, exploratory, and a little chaotic.

But when you:

• Embrace the messy draft
• Prioritize your audience
• Delay the intro
• Take a break before finalizing

…you unlock writing that’s not just “good,” but effective. Clear. Actionable. Aligned.

And now—with tools like AI in your corner—you don’t have to do it all alone.

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💬 Got a favorite writing trick or AI workflow you swear by?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how you make the magic happen.