Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I’m sharing some of the weirdest writing advice I’ve heard over the years.

The Weirdest Writing Advice I’ve Heard

Writing advice is everywhere. From “write every day” to “show, don’t tell,” there’s no shortage of well-meaning guidance floating around—much of it on this website, even. But amid the usual tips out there, there’s some rather… peculiar advice that leaves you scratching your head at first but could spark something surprising if you try them.

Over the years, I’ve collected my fair share of oddball writing tips, sometimes from mentors, sometimes from strangers on the internet.

Below, I’m sharing the strangest bits of advice I’ve encountered. Who knows? Some of them might work for you.

Write As Though Nobody Will Read Your Work
This was advice I picked up whilst taking part in a writing course many years ago. The gist was simple: forget the audience entirely. Forget perfect grammar. Forget story arcs. Sit in front of your laptop (or with your pen poised over paper) and write as though the words will never leave the room. They’re for your eyes only and will never be read by anyone else.

When you’re not worrying about how a sentence sounds or how a plot twist will be received, or even what someone else will think of what you’ve written, it creates this incredible free-flowing honesty.

Write in Comic Sans
Ah, the font many love to hate. Proponents of this advice (including certain corners of the writing community) swear that drafting in this oft-maligned font somehow helps to eliminate pressure.

Switching your work to Comic Sans does something odd to your mind. Suddenly, the work doesn’t feel as “intimidating” because it looks cheerful and playful, like something a kid might dream up.

The font helps to strip away the urge for perfect sentences, making it easier to get words down without nitpicking every choice.

Write When You’re Exhausted
’ve toyed with this one over the years, and here’s what I’ve discovered. Writing at odd hours while exhausted can spark a kind of uninhibited creativity. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’re too tired to overthink. Your critical inner editor falls asleep first. Sometimes, it leads to genius, and sometimes, it leads to utter gibberish—but either way, your brain is working differently than it does at times when you’re not tired.

The downside? The next morning, re-reading that midnight wisdom can be a mixed bag. Your “brilliant” idea might be incomprehensible—or it could be the key to a breakthrough.

Drink Before You Write
The idea is supposedly inspired by the famous quote that’s often (incorrectly) attributed to Hemingway, “Write drunk, edit sober.” Basically, the advice suggests loosening up with a drink to tap into your uninhibited creativity.

The thought process is that alcohol dulls your inner critic. You’re less likely to overthink, which can free up creative flow.

Now, I don’t drink anymore myself, but I have tried this one, and while it certainly helped me unshackle myself from my self-doubt, the result wasn’t pretty. It was fun, don’t get me wrong. But when it came to re-reading what I’d written the next day, I could barely decipher what I’d written. The lesson? A clear mind wins over buzzed creativity, at least for me.

Start in the Middle
Most writing advice emphasises crafting a brilliant opening line, which is why this particular nugget caught my attention. Start writing from the middle of your story instead of the beginning.

The beginning is intimidating. Second-guessing your opening scene can stump you for hours or days. Starting in the middle lets you focus on the action of your story without pressure, delivering momentum to propel you forward. You can return to the beginning later.

Stop Writing Mid-Sentence
Now, this gem does come from Ernest Hemingway, who famously suggested stopping mid-sentence while drafting. When you return to write the next day, you’ll have a direct and immediate path to pick up where you left off, avoiding those dreaded blank-page blues.

While it might not suit ultra-planners who hate the idea of leaving a thought incomplete, writers battling perfectionism or over-analysis could find this oddly freeing.

Dance Before You Write
This sounds silly initially, like some woo-woo “shake out the bad vibes” advice—but the reasoning behind it is that it helps clear creative blocks, helps improve your mood, and leaves you energised to start your writing session with fervour.

Sure, this method might not cure long-term writer’s block, but as a way to kickstart some creative energy, it’s worth giving it a whirl. Plus, it’s hard to feel self-conscious about your work when you’ve just laughed at yourself for flailing around to Believe by Cher!

So, does weird writing advice work? Sometimes, absolutely. A lot of it sounds strange because it’s uncommon—no two people write or think in the exact same way. What feels silly or unnecessary to one writer might be the key to opening up someone else’s creativity.

So, explore and find what works for you!

Have you tried any weird writing advice that worked for you? Let me know—I’m forever on the lookout for eccentric tips to add to my writer’s toolkit.

Thank you, as ever, for reading this week’s post!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Categories: Writing a First Draft, Writing Tips

Tags: advice, dance, tips, Writer, writing, writing advice, Writing Tips