Structure is more important than inspiration

A writer doesn’t sit down to write a novel without a plan: he knows where the introduction, the climax, and the denouement will be. Likewise, good code begins with a clear understanding of the architecture and structure of the project. Tip: Before writing code, sketch out a plan, just like a writer sketches out a plot.

The first version will always be bad — and that’s okay

Writers know: the first draft is just the beginning. It will need to be rewritten, polished, and cleaned up. The same is true in programming: the first version of code is rarely perfect. Tip: Don’t be afraid to write rough code. The main thing is to create a working skeleton, and then improve it.

People read your code

A book is written for the reader, and code is written for other developers (and for you in six months). Bad, confusing code, like sloppy writing, makes it difficult to understand. Tip: Write code as if a person without context will read it.

Editing is more important than writing

Professional writers spend more time editing text than writing it. In code, refactoring is the same. Tip: Don't think of refactoring as a waste of time. It improves the quality of code and extends the life of the project.

Developing a style

Every writer develops a recognizable style over time. The same is true for code: neat naming, formatting habits, and the structure of functions make code recognizable and convenient. Tip: Work on your coding style. Cleanliness, predictability, and neatness are your “voice”.

Patience and persistence

Both writers and programmers face moments when “nothing works” or “everything seems pointless”. The winner is the one who can work through crises. Tip: Don't give up after the first failure. In both code and text, things often start to come together only after many attempts. ⸻ Programming is not only a technical skill, but also an art of communication: with a computer, with other people, with your future self. Learning from masters of writing means becoming a more conscious, attentive and responsible developer.