From Edie: Discover 11 things writers should stop doing in 2026, from chasing trends and comparing careers to letting fear, numbers, and distractions take control.
11 Things Writers Should Stop Doing in 2026
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
I spend a lot of time telling writers what they need to do—from learning the craft to building relationships. I remind writers it’s important to develop an online presence, attend conferences, and write consistently. And that’s just what I suggest. If we do a search for things writers should do the list gets much longer.
While I agree that all of those things are important, I think we can get overwhelmed and end up spinning our wheels. So lately I’ve taken a slightly different approach and asked myself what are some things I shouldn’t do in my writing life.
Now all these things are subjective. Some will make sense for you and some won’t. My point is to give you a jumping off point and permission (if you need it) to NOT try to do everything!
My 2026 Stop Doing This List for Writers
1. Stop Trying to Be Everywhere Online
I'm starting here because this is something I've taught for years—writers need an online presence. I still believe that. But having an online presence does NOT mean being everywhere. I recommend having an account on all the big platforms, but we don’t need to be active everywhere.
Just consider our options! Facebook. Instagram. TikTok. Threads. LinkedIn. Pinterest. YouTube. Substack. A blog. A newsletter. And whatever new platform launches five minutes after I finish writing this post.
Our goal isn't to collect social media platforms. It's to connect with people. Find the places where your readers hang out—and where you can comfortably and consistently show up—and invest your energy there. A smaller, engaged community is far more valuable than thousands of followers who don't know who we are.
2. Stop Chasing Every New Thing
This is closely related to number one, but it deserves its own spot. Writers are busy—insanely busy (see #1) and we are always looking for something that will get things done more efficiently and faster. We’re also—on a whole—creative people, which means many of us are easily distracted by something new and shiny.
Have you ever been tempted by a new social media platform or new AI tool? Can you be distracted by someone announcing a video sharing the only tools that work now? The things that can add to my to do list is almost limitless.
But before adding anything new, I try to ask myself some questions.
- Does this help me reach the people I'm called to reach?
- Does this help me become a better writer?
- Does this fit the writing life and career I'm building?
- What will I have to stop doing to make room for this?
Because every yes forces us to say no to something else.
3. Stop Comparing Your Writing Career to Someone Else's
This one is personal for me. I waited a long time for my first book contract—much longer than many of the writers who began this journey alongside me. I watched friends get contracts. I was genuinely happy for them. But I'd be lying if I said their success never made me question my own journey.
Comparison has always been dangerous for writers, but social media has put it on steroids. Now we don't just hear about someone's book contract. We see the celebration pictures, the cover reveal, the launch party, the Amazon ranking, the award, and the glowing reviews.
What we don't see is everything behind those posts.
The rejection.
The fear.
The disappointing sales.
The manuscript that didn't sell.
The opportunities that disappeared.
All of that lack of information can lead us to believe we’re failures—just because someone else is a success. When I actually wrote that sentence out, I could see the insanity in that belief. And yet…sometimes…I still let that belief creep in.
4. Stop Confusing Activity with Progress
I can spend an entire day working on my writing career without writing a single word—and the more often I do that, the easier it gets to avoid writing. Sometimes the most productive-looking things we do are actually procrastination wearing business clothes.
So, I've begun to ask myself a hard question:
Am I working on my writing career—or am I avoiding writing?
Ouch. There are too many days when the answer isn't the one I want.
5. Stop Waiting Until You Feel Ready
I wish I could tell you there's a magical point when we suddenly feel qualified. There isn't. So many of us battle life-long imposter syndrome. But we need to remember truth is never based in feelings. We can't let fear make all our decisions.
6. Stop Treating Every Piece of Writing Advice Like a Rule
Oh this is one of my biggest pet peeves—“professionals” who insist the only way to write or be a writer is to do things a certain way. Here are just a few of the insane things I’ve heard:
- Never start with dialogue.
- Never use a prologue.
- Always write every day.
- Never use an adverb.
- You must outline.
- Never outline.
- Post on social media every day.
- Don't post every day.
- Build your platform before you write the book.
- Forget platform and just write the book.
No wonder we’re exhausted and confused.
I've been in this industry long enough to see supposedly unbreakable rules disappear. I've also watched writers twist themselves into knots trying to follow contradictory advice from people they respect. Yes, learn the CONVENTIONS and understand why they exist. Listen to advice from people you trust and then use discernment. Good writing advice should equip us—not paralyze us.
7. Stop Letting Numbers Decide Whether You're Successful
This may be harder now than it has ever been. We can measure everything—from followers to reviews to sales.
I’m not saying numbers aren’t useful, because they are. I track them and teach writers to pay attention to them. But numbers are just part of the information. And they certainly are not an accurate measure of how I’m doing. In fact, it’s important to remember numbers aren’t identities.
8. Stop Panicking About AI
I write and teach about AI regularly because writers need to understand it. AI isn't something we need to worship or fear. It's a tool, and we need wisdom about how—and when—to use it. And just like everything else, we also need boundaries.
For me, that means protecting the human part of my writing. My experiences. My perspective. My faith. My stories. My voice. Those things aren't inconveniences AI needs to streamline out of the process. They're the reason people connect with what we write.
9. Stop Saying Yes to Every Opportunity
I'm preaching to myself here. I love new things—new projects, ideas, and opportunities—excite me. Sometimes they inspire me—for a short time. But I've learned something about yes. Every yes comes with a price tag. When I say yes to a speaking engagement, I'm also saying yes to preparation and travel. When I say yes to another project, I'm saying yes to the hours required to complete it. When I say yes to serving somewhere, I'm giving that commitment a portion of my energy.
And sometimes a very good opportunity is still the wrong opportunity for me. I've had to learn that saying no isn't always rejecting something. Sometimes saying no is protecting the calling God has for me.
10. Stop Writing Without Praying First
This one is non-negotiable for me. And it probably should have come first in my list! I can sit down with a deadline, a plan, a pile of research, and a clear idea of what I want to say. But if I begin without praying, I'm starting in the wrong place. Prayer reminds me that writing isn't just about producing words—it’s about listening and stewardship.
It's about remembering Who gave me the ability to write in the first place.
I don't pray because I expect every sentence to arrive perfectly formed. I pray because I need my heart aligned before my fingers hit the keyboard. There have been plenty of times when I thought I knew exactly what I needed to write, only to realize after praying that I was heading in the wrong direction.
Before we ask God to bless the words we've already chosen, maybe we should ask Him what words He wants us to write.
11. Stop Forgetting Why You Started
This may is another important one. Publishing has changed dramatically during my years in this industry. Everything from technology (anyone remember submitting hard copy with a SASE in the envelope?) to marketing has changed. Readers have changed how they read and where they find what they read. The frustrating part is we can be absolutely sure everything will continue to change.
But if I remember I’m writing because God gave me this gift and expects me to use it, I have an anchor in this ever-changing world.
It's incredibly easy to become so consumed with the business of writing that we lose touch with the joy of writing. That's when we need to go back to the why.
Maybe We Don't Need to Do More
Yes, we still need to keep learning, growing, and showing up. But I’ve learned (the hard way) that there is wisdom in knowing what to subtract. Because sometimes moving forward isn't about doing one more thing. Sometimes it's about finally putting down the things we were never supposed to carry in the first place.
Now it's your turn. What do you need to STOP doing in your writing life? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
She and husband Kirk have been married 44+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains. Connect with her at www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.
Amen. These are great reminders. Thank you Edie. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo, so helpful. Thanks, yet again, Edie.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I so needed this right now Thank you, Edie.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Edie! Thanks!
ReplyDelete