Layers of learning writing

This is the most common mistake I made when I started writing but also when others start writing.

Basically the "hero's journey".

You can't just write when you have inspiration. It's an every day process.

Short sentences. Short paragraphs. Short chapters. No "placebo" words (meaning: if you take those words or even entire passages or chapters out then nothing actually changes in the story).

Every chapter, every first sentence, often at the end of paragraphs.

Mixing it up to keep things interesting, sometimes in a single story or post (this applies to non-fiction as much as fiction): first person, third person, second person, past tense, present tense, etc.

Learn to cut and slash as much as possible

Again, this applies as much to a blog post as a novel or non-fiction book.