Quote and Comment, L’Amour

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on. – Louis L’Amour

This is plain and simple advice. And the starting point for every one of us. If a writer doesn’t start, there there is no progress. Writing is a matter of will. Writing isn’t like watching television or sleeping in. Writing isn’t passive. The writer has to initiate the action. The writer has to start.

Anything we do that has lasting positive impact requires such initiative. 

Note too that L’Amour says “no matter what.” It doesn’t matter if you feel inspired, have the time,  or it’s your birthday'”start writing, no matter what.” I don’t think he’s speaking solely of the initial start, but also that daily start as well’that daily effort of getting to work.

But, in all this work, there is a reward. “…the faucet is turned on.” Writing begets writing. Productivity is the result of having initiative and doing the work. You’ll see L’Amour makes no statement here on quality. The water (writing) that comes may be lukewarm, hard with minerals, or crisp and clear. That’s not the focus. The focus here is to ensure the water is flowing. The quality of the water? Let it flow for a while and we’ll see what happens.