The 2 “Instinctive” Skills That Drive 80% of Success for New Writers

The writer’s Pareto Principle

Hey there, it’s Darius here. Today, we’ll talk about the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule. This principle suggests that 80% of results often come from 20% of efforts.

Writing involves mastering many skills, like structure, editing, and grammar. But certain skills make your readers act.

This is where instinctive writing skills come in. When you have the intuitive ability to see whether something works or not, you can self-edit more effectively. But as Ernest Hemingway said:

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master."

These writing instincts can be developed. Here’s how you can do that.

1. Identify what “feels” wrong

We've all been there. You write something, and it goes nowhere: people don't engage with it, publications reject it, or it fails to make the sale. Sometimes, it's a promotion problem. But other times, the writing just isn't there yet.

You yourself might also see it: Something “feels off” but you can't pinpoint what exactly.

One of the best ways to identify what feels wrong is to examine how athletes do it.

A common injury for runners, for example, is “runner’s knee” which is a broad term used for various knee pains. Although I mostly use the bicycle nowadays, I’ve also experienced runner’s knee when I was running consistently.

There are various causes for it, but one of the most common is overuse. Your body moves differently when you run versus when you walk. Both feet are often on the ground when you walk. As one foot pushes off the ground, the other foot is already making contact. This is called double-supported or bilateral movement. But when you run, only one foot hits the ground at a time while the other remains in the air for longer periods (also called single-supported/unilateral movement). The force of your foot strike also multiplies your body weight impact on your feet and knees. So they become painful and injured over time.

Therefore, the best remedy is improving your running form to minimize body weight impact, strength training to improve your feet and knees, and getting properly rested.

You’ll notice I used a bunch of terms and concepts to explain the injury and solution. Without knowing how the process works, a runner can only say they “feel like crap” or “get easily tired.” They don’t have the awareness and vocabulary to describe what the problem is, so it becomes harder for them to solve the issue.

It’s the same with writing. When publications reject your pitches, they’re more likely to just say, “This piece isn’t a great fit for us right now.” Readers might not engage with your work because it doesn’t “resonate” with them. Sometimes, you write a piece and, even after several revisions, it still “feels dull.”

These are all vague, and they don’t give you insight into what exactly to do to improve your work.

The most effective way to master the skill of identifying areas for improvement is by hiring a writing coach or attending writing workshops. These help you analyze, in detail, what makes a piece of writing strong or weak.

But if those aren't accessible, then you can do the following too:

• “What I wrote just seems mediocre or not good enough” – The first step is to return to the purpose of your writing. Are you being authentic? Are you writing about something that genuinely interests you? Why are you really writing this piece? Go back to your why. Most times, our writing becomes mediocre because we were writing for the wrong reasons.

• “I like what I’m writing. But something just feels off about it.” – If you’re already writing for the right reasons, then the next step is to go back to the basics. I’ve learned by experience that there are three basic foundations of every good article. (We’re planning to write a detailed guide on this soon. Let us know if you’d be interested!) These are:

  • Voice – your distinct writing style and personality on the page.

  • Narrative Focus – communicating your ideas in a way that's most impactful for your readers.

  • The Right Idea – does your content address what matters most to your audience right now? This ensures your readers walk away with insights or solutions that are both relevant and valuable to their current needs or challenges.

• “The writing feels clunky and awkward.” – Read your writing aloud. When you hear the words spoken, it becomes easier to notice where sentences drag, stumble, or fail. Pay attention to spots where you trip over words or where the rhythm feels off; these are cues to revise and simplify. If it doesn’t sound natural when spoken, it likely won’t feel smooth to your readers either.

• “I feel like I’m saying too much, and my writing is all over the place.” – Focus on ONE core idea or takeaway. As writers, the tendency to say a lot of things is natural. But unless you’re writing a whole book, it’s best to stick to one main point. So ask yourself: Which among the things I want to communicate is the most important for my reader right now? Also, you don’t have to discard your other ideas. As Michael mentioned in our first article of the year, you don’t have to “kill your darlings.” Simply file them away in a note app or journal. And you can use them later.

The more you reflect on your writing and dissect why something works or doesn’t, the sharper your instincts become. Over time, you’ll develop a mental database of patterns that improve your writing.

2. Have space for NOT writing

I see professional writing as 10% writing, 50% practice, and 40% not writing.

Let's start with the 50% practice. This focuses on the writing process: You commit to writing consistently—whether it’s daily, four times a week, or whatever schedule works for you. You write even when you don’t feel like it, and you stick to your writing schedule.

The 40% is the time you spend not writing. This is when you live your life productively and intentionally. You read books that deepen your thinking and inform your craft. You immerse yourself in experiences and consume art that inspires you.

The 10% writing happens when you put everything together. The ideas flow and the words come together. These moments feel easy, but only because you already did the other 90%.

When new writers struggle with writer’s block or feel like their writing is going nowhere, it's often because they're not doing the 90%.

For the past ten years since I started writing online, I published one new article almost every single week. I've never “run out” of ideas. Why? Because I balance my writing practice with constant input from my reading and life experiences.

Writing is like a well. If you don’t ensure water keeps flowing into it—through reading, learning, and living—it will eventually run dry.

It’s important to be intentional about filling your well though. Doom scrolling during your no-writing time won't help at all.

Connecting the dots

Notice what I did on the first point: I talked about running. It’s something I do outside of writing. And by talking about running injuries, I’m better able to communicate my thoughts on identifying weak points in writing.

Having activities and a life outside of writing broadens your perspective. This eventually helps you become more creative and inspired in your work.

Of course, this takes more time and effort. But that’s what long-term sustainable writing is all about.

How to make your time outside writing more productive

Read classic books that interest you

They’re classics for a reason. But that doesn’t mean you should read a book just because it’s classic. Find something that genuinely interests you.

As you read, pay attention to how the authors structure their ideas, create compelling characters, or use language in a way that stays relevant over decades and centuries.

A well-chosen book can spark new ideas and help you develop your writing voice.

Make the habit of taking notes

As you go about your day, inspiration and ideas can strike unexpectedly. Make it a habit to write them down. I personally use the Ulysses app on my Apple devices. Even while cycling, I can quickly stop to jot down an article idea when it hits. This is important because you don’t want your mind to be overly focused on that idea. You still want to be in the moment of your activity. So write it down, and then allow your mind to get back to the present.

Try new experiences

Routine makes getting things done more efficient. But creativity can die if you rely on routine too much.

New experiences don't need to be expensive. Simply talk to people outside of your normal circle to gain new perspectives. Visit places in your town that you've never been to. Attend that cooking class your partner has been inviting you to.

By placing ourselves in unfamiliar situations, we force our brains to adapt and be hyperaware. This heightened state of awareness encourages us to notice details we might usually overlook.

We all start as beginner writers. But by being intentional about our instinctive writing skills, we can speed up the learning curve.

See you next week!

—Darius, with John & Michael

P.S. We have a live Q&A session this January 31st, Friday. If you’re not yet subscribed, put in your email below to receive the Zoom link. (If you’re subscribed, you’ll get emailed about the details soon).