There’s this idea floating around that writing is all about inspiration. That you sit down in a cozy cabin, sip your coffee, and wait for the muse to whisper something brilliant and if it doesn’t, then you have the dreaded WRITER’S BLOCK! Let me tell you what I’ve learned after writing14 books and publishing 10: that whole idea is complete bullshit.

Writing is work. It’s a craft, a job, and if you’re trying to do it professionally, it’s a business. Electricians don’t get “electrician block.” They show up, wire the building, and go home. Writers can—and should—do the exact same thing. If you want this to be your career, you have to learn to treat it like one.

I keep this idea at the forefront of mind during the writing of every single novel and I have learned some very valuable things along the way. In particular, I have learned how to avoid the so-called “writer’s block”. Today, I want to share them with you.

1. You Have to Write What You Love

If you’re chasing trends, good luck. The reality is, even if it seems to work here and there, you’ll always be a step behind. What’s hot now was written two years ago and by the time you get your spin on the same trend out there, it has already peaked and died off in most cases. Instead, write what you want to read. Someone else will love it too. Not everyone, sure—but your people? The ones who get what you’re doing? They’ll find you, and they’ll stick around.

For me, that means thrillers grounded in reality—dark, emotional, character-driven stories where people make terrible decisions under pressure. Not every book hits the same, but the ones I’ve loved the most are also the ones my readers respond to most.

The lesson? Passion shows. Write what lights a fire in you.

2. Details Matter—More Than You Think

It’s not just the writing. It’s the editing. The formatting. The cover design. The ad copy. Every single detail matters.

I’ve seen authors put their whole heart into a book, then slap a generic, pre-made cover on it and wonder why it’s not selling. I’ve even made this mistake myself! The truth though is that readers DO judge a book by its cover—especially in indie publishing. The same goes for your blurb. If your description doesn’t hook, they won’t click. If your interior looks messy or unprofessional, they’ll stop flipping the pages.

You don’t have to spend a fortune—but you do have to care. Sweat the small stuff. Review every proof copy. Obsess over kerning if you want to. That polish pays off.

3. Move Around. Literally.

I’ve written in coffee shops, in the car, in waiting rooms, at parks, and on my couch while my kid naps next to me. Some of my best scenes came from writing in new places.

When you’re stuck—creatively or emotionally—change your setting. Your brain picks up new things when your environment changes. A conversation at the next table. A weird bumper sticker. A smell you forgot existed. All of it becomes story fuel.

Even a five-minute walk can shift your thinking. Don’t wait for lightning. Go shake the clouds yourself.

4. Kickstarter Opened My Eyes to Reader Connection

Traditional publishing talks about “readers” as this vague group. But when I launched my Kickstarter for We Never Told, it became real. I saw names. Faces. Support. People showing up to say, “I want this story to exist, and I believe in you.”

There’s something powerful in that. And humbling.

Running a campaign taught me how to better communicate value, how to pitch my work, how to price it, and—maybe most importantly—how to build trust. You’re not just selling a book. You’re offering an experience. A connection.

You can’t fake that. If you’re genuine and you show up? People feel it.

5. Rejection Is Part of the Job—So Is Adaptation

Some books don’t sell. Some ads flop. Some reviews sting more than they should. That’s the job. That is the path we have chosen as creators.

But every failure teaches you something. Paul Marshal, for example, hasn’t hit with readers the way I hoped—but I still believe in him. So I’m revamping the series. New covers. Tighter edits. Better marketing. I’m not giving up—I’m adjusting.

That’s the key difference between writers who burn out and writers who keep going. You have to be flexible. You have to learn. And you have to keep writing anyway.

6. Systems > Motivation

Motivation is great when it’s there. But you can’t depend on it. What you need is a system. A schedule. A routine that works whether you’re feeling it or not.

For me, that means writing in short bursts when I can—between work, family, and everything else. It means editing in focused sprints. It means treating book production like project management: timelines, deliverables, reviews. It also means prioritizing it. Sure, it may be easier to fit in some days than others, but on the days when it is tough, I do my absolute best to make the time the way I would with any other commitment.

Treat your creative process like a system, and you won’t have to wait for inspiration. You’ll get results because you showed up.

7. Look at Everything Like It’s a Story

This one’s more mindset than business tip, but it’s saved me more than once.

You can find stories in everything. A weird voicemail. A misunderstanding at the store. A family secret. The way someone holds their coffee cup. The ordinary can become extraordinary if you look closely enough. That’s your edge as a storyteller.

And if you bring that mindset into your work—your marketing, your conversations, your daily life—you’ll never run out of ideas. Ever.

Final Thoughts

Writing books is hard. Selling them is harder. Doing both over and over again without losing your mind? That takes strategy, resilience, and a lot of love for the craft.

But if you treat it like a career—not a hobby, not a dream, but a real, demanding job—you’ll start to see results. Not always fast. Not always easy. But real.

There’s no secret sauce. Just this: Show up. Write what matters to you. Care about the details. Adapt when needed. And never forget—you’re not just building a book. You’re building a body of work.

That’s the business. That’s the legacy. And if you’re in it for the long haul, welcome. You’re already doing better than most.

Until next time,

Tyler

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