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

The Power of Starting: Why You Must Begin Writing to Unleash Creativity

Louis L’Amour’s quote, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on,” is a perfect metaphor for the writing process. Like a faucet that only produces water once you twist the handle, creativity flows only when you make the decision to start. Often, the hardest part of writing is simply beginning. The fear of a blank page, perfectionism, or uncertainty about what to say can be paralyzing. But L’Amour’s advice reminds us that the act of writing itself will unlock the flow of ideas.

To create, you must first take action, no matter how unpolished or awkward the initial attempts may feel. Writing, like most creative endeavors, is not about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about starting, even when you don’t feel ready, and trusting that the process will guide you.

The Myth of Waiting for Inspiration

Many aspiring writers fall into the trap of waiting for inspiration to come before they begin. They imagine a perfect moment when the ideas will magically pour out, fully formed, and ready for the page. While inspiration can certainly play a role in the creative process, it is often an unreliable muse. Waiting for inspiration is a passive approach, one that can lead to long stretches of creative inactivity and self-doubt.

L’Amour’s quote challenges this myth by asserting that creativity starts when you take the first step—when you sit down and begin to write, even if you don’t yet know where the words will take you. Just as you don’t expect water to flow before you turn on the faucet, you shouldn’t expect ideas to emerge before you start writing.

The act of writing itself generates ideas. Once you begin, your mind starts to connect thoughts and make associations that weren’t clear before. Momentum builds, and suddenly, what seemed like an insurmountable creative block becomes a steady flow of words. You may start with a simple sentence or even a fragmented idea, but as you write, your thoughts begin to take shape.

Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection

One of the reasons many writers struggle to start is the fear of imperfection. The blank page can be intimidating because it holds limitless possibilities, but it also holds the weight of expectations. Writers often want their first words to be perfect, their sentences polished, their ideas brilliant. But this pressure to create something flawless from the outset can prevent you from starting at all.

L’Amour’s metaphor of the faucet offers reassurance: the water may not flow perfectly at first, but the important thing is that it flows. The initial draft is rarely perfect. In fact, it’s usually far from it. But the point of starting isn’t to create a masterpiece immediately—it’s to generate something you can work with, revise, and improve. You can’t edit a blank page, but you can refine a rough draft.

The creative process is messy. It’s full of false starts, awkward sentences, and ideas that may not fully land on the first try. But this is part of the process. Writing is about discovery as much as it is about expression. Often, the best ideas and insights come not in the initial burst of creativity but through the act of revising and refining your work.

By accepting that imperfection is a natural part of the writing process, you free yourself from the paralysis of overthinking. The goal isn’t to write something perfect from the start; it’s to start writing, trusting that the flow of words will lead you to clarity and coherence over time.

Building Creative Momentum

Another key takeaway from L’Amour’s quote is the importance of building momentum. When you turn on a faucet, the water flows continuously until you decide to stop it. Similarly, when you start writing, the act of putting words on the page often creates its own momentum. The more you write, the easier it becomes to keep going.

This is why it’s so important to write regularly, even when you don’t feel particularly inspired. Writing is like a muscle—it strengthens with use. The more often you engage in the practice of writing, the more natural it becomes. Over time, you’ll find that ideas come more readily, and the flow of creativity becomes easier to access.

Many writers set daily writing goals, whether it’s a certain number of words or a specific amount of time. These goals create a habit of writing, even on days when inspiration feels distant. By making writing a regular part of your routine, you minimize the fear and resistance that often accompany the start of a new project.

Trusting the Process

Ultimately, L’Amour’s advice is about trusting the process of writing. Creativity doesn’t always arrive in a neatly packaged burst of inspiration. It often emerges through the act of doing the work, of sitting down and writing even when you’re unsure of where the story or ideas will go.

When you turn on the faucet, you trust that the water will flow. Similarly, when you start writing, you trust that the ideas will come. They may not arrive in the order or form you expected, but the act of writing itself will help you discover the shape they should take. As you continue to write, the path forward becomes clearer.

The creative process isn’t linear, and it isn’t always easy. But by embracing the uncertainty and taking the first step, you set the stage for your creativity to flourish. The blank page is daunting, but it’s also full of potential. And the only way to unlock that potential is to begin.

Conclusion: Just Turn on the Faucet

Louis L’Amour’s quote is a powerful reminder that the key to writing is simply to start. Don’t wait for the perfect idea or the perfect moment—just begin, no matter what. The water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on, and your creativity won’t flow until you put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard.

By taking the risk to start, you overcome the fear of imperfection and allow yourself the freedom to create. The act of writing generates its own momentum, and before long, the ideas and words begin to flow. Trust the process, embrace the messiness, and remember that the most important step in writing is always the first one. So turn on the faucet—and start writing.