The Power of Small Steps in Writing

 

Writing is often seen as this monumental task—a journey of epic proportions where inspiration strikes like lightning and entire novels flow effortlessly onto the page. A dizzying burst of speed everyday for months. Isaac Asimov banged out stories like that. But I'm not him. Everyone's process is different. Let me tell you a truth I’ve learned through experience: for me, writing isn’t about grand leaps; it’s about small, deliberate steps. I try to do 2,000 to 3000 words every day. But some days I don't do anything. On those days I just prepare my social media posts and work on a map or a character or a diagram or a sketch of some alien plant or animal that no one has ever seen before.  

The stories I write, like Merchant of Vision, weren’t built in a single moment of brilliance. They emerged slowly, piece by piece, through countless small moments of effort. Sometimes, it was just writing a sentence or jotting down a character idea during a busy day. Other times, it was about working on a single paragraph for hours, trying to find the right words to make it sing. Progress isn’t always dramatic—it’s incremental. And that’s okay.

I often think about how galaxies are formed. Massive and sprawling, yes—but built from tiny particles of dust, gas, and elements generated in supernova explosions, or jets from black holes over millions of years. In the same way, every word, every scene, every bit of dialogue is a particle contributing to the greater whole. Writing is a long process, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at the scope of what you’re trying to create. But the beauty of it lies in the realization that every small effort counts, every step forward brings you closer to your goal.

On some days, inspiration comes easily. On others, it feels like dragging yourself through a swamp. But no matter how hard it gets, I remind myself that even the smallest bit of progress—one word, one sentence, one idea—is still progress. I’ve written entire chapters on the back of single sparks of creativity, small breakthroughs that carried me through moments of doubt.

Writing is a craft that rewards consistency over intensity. It’s not about waiting for a perfect idea or a burst of energy. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard, even when the words won’t come, even when you doubt yourself. And here’s the thing: those small, consistent efforts build momentum. They add up. Over time, they become something far greater than you imagined.

I’ve come to see writing as a kind of quiet rebellion against doubt and fear. The act of putting words on a page, no matter how imperfect, is a declaration that your voice matters, that your stories are worth telling. Some days, it feels like trudging through darkness with nothing but a flickering light to guide you. But every small step you take illuminates more of the path ahead.

For me, this journey is deeply personal. Every story I write, every world I build, every character I bring to life is a testament to the power of persistence. My life has been filled with challenges, like yours, and there were plenty of moments when giving up felt easier. But I held on. Not because I had some unshakable faith in myself, but because I believed in the stories. And little by little, word by word, I brought them to life.

So if you’re a writer—or even if you’re pursuing any dream at all—my advice is this: focus on the small steps. Don’t get lost in the enormity of the task ahead. Start with one idea, one sentence, one moment. Keep building. Keep going. Even when it’s hard, even when the progress feels invisible, trust that it’s there.

The small steps may not feel like much in the moment, but when you look back, you’ll see how far you’ve come. And that’s the magic of it all—the way tiny efforts create something monumental, something uniquely yours.

Writing isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. Every word you write is a victory, every idea a spark. Keep walking your path, one step at a time. Your story is waiting, and the world is waiting to hear it.