What’s holding you back from writing? Here are a few of Julia Cameron’s sharpest quips about avoiding writing, creating, producing, or otherwise evolving into the artist you’re meant to be.

Cameron wrote this funky little book called How to Avoid Making Art (or Anything Else You Enjoy). It’s a quick read, with drawings that illustrate her point that there are millions of things we could be doing instead of pursuing our writing goals or freelance career. (Click the book cover for more information).

Julia Cameron’s Writing Quips

These are suggestions of what NOT to do if you want to be a freelancer or novelist, from her quirky book. Cameron’s quips are actually great writing advice…and you may see yourself in her words.

• “Write long emails to your friends, instead of writing your novel.”
• “Focus on how much is left, not how much is done.”
• “Compare your work to the masterworks of the great masters.”
• “Surround yourself with jealous, blocked, negative companions.”
• “Invite houseguests for an extended stay.”
• “Rather than make art, read about art.”
• “Answer the phone every time it rings.”
• “Let the fear of freelance health care costs drive you back to corporate life.”

Writing tip: Putting your writing ahead of everything else is the only way you’ll succeed. Of course, I believe in balancing work with friends, family, playing, responsibilities, and breathing fresh air - but I also know that the only way to succeed as a freelance writer, novelist, poet - whatever - is to prioritize.

For me, prioritizing means not talking to friends during my working hours and forcing myself to write even when I’m bored or tired or bloated. Prioritizing means learning about how to be a better writer, and actually applying what I’ve learned to my work. Prioritizing means digging in with both heels, and knowing that I’m in control of my writing career. It doesn’t control me; I control it.

To be better writers, we need to figure out what prioritizing means, and dig in. Soon it’ll become natural to avoid those jealous blocked companions in Cameron’s quips, and stop surfing Facebook or news sites or refdesk.com. 

Soon, you’ll be energized by your progress. And thus begins your upward spiral. 

Write on, fellow scribes. Write on.