If your goal is learning how to write, it’s crucial to accept that you’re going to feel like a beginner every time you sit down with your notebook and pen. In writing, your successes will be inconsistent, and that’s okay, too.

One of the simplest ways to practice writing is timed exercise. To start, choose a time frame for yourself. It can be fifteen minutes or a couple of hours, whatever you feel comfortable with. Maybe you’ll want to jump right in with a two-hour writing session, or perhaps you prefer to start with ten minutes and work your way up. The important thing here is not the time frame you choose but your commitment to practicing throughout the selected period.

When you’re practicing writing, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Maintain a continuous flow of writing—don’t pause to check what you just wrote. Moreover, don’t cross things out or worry about grammar, punctuation, or staying inside the lines on the page. Your goal here is to allow yourself to lose control. Don’t overthink, and don’t try to make it make sense. Logic isn’t the point here—instead, just let your thoughts move freely.

Besides, don’t focus too much on having the right tools. A smooth pen and a cheap notebook will do just fine, allowing you to express yourself without concerns about spoiling the pages with your imperfect writing. Experiment with different tools like tape recorders and typewriters, but don’t focus on supplies too much.

In order for your writing to be authentic, you must embrace your raw and spontaneous thoughts. The first thing that comes to mind when you let your hand move freely over the pages of your notebook is raw and unfiltered, but that’s what makes it real. These first thoughts aren’t affected by social norms, censorship, ego, or our desire to be in control.

Furthermore, tapping into your emotions is vital for authentic writing. Writing through tears or anger is difficult, but it allows you to be fully present and describe the depth of the human experience in all of its raw glory.