Some aspects of writing are more universal than others. Here are just a few truisms that fit most writers.

1. You’ll always have the best ideas when there’s no pen or paper in sight.
2. Your desire to be writing increases in direct proportion to your obligations elsewhere. The reverse is also true. The less you have to do, the less you may desire to write.
3. The first 20,000 words of a novel are the easiest.
4. Characters sometimes refuse to cooperate, make contrary decisions, fall for the wrong character, and even die without permission.
5. To have a rich writing life, it helps to have a life (and ongoing experiences).
6. Inspiration is overrated. A writing practice is not.
7. The hardest part to write is the middle.
8. No matter how thoroughly  you check, you’ll always find an error as soon as you hit “send” (or “publish”).
9. The harder you try to remember that great idea, the more thoroughly you’ll forget it by the time you can write it down.
10. Writers write because we are compelled to do so. Choice is not always a factor.
11. Good writing benefits from daydreaming, walking, mindless tasks, and things that hush your frontal lobe but keep your body busy.
12. There is no one right way to write. There is only the way that works for you.

Agree? Disagree? Have truisms to add? Let us know in the comments.