Ever dreamed of becoming a writer? I know many people have a secret desire to put pen to paper and craft a literature masterpiece. And yet many don’t. Perhaps you believe you don’t have the time or resources. Do you start and stop Writing, never getting past the first few pages. I know that’s how I used to write: sporadic and blundering. So if you have grand plans for a debut, yet struggle with being overwhelmed at the prospect of crafting a whole novel… then read on for my getting started tips.
Starting any project is all about getting out of your comfort zone. Because if it ins’t scary, we’re not growing and evolving. So be brave and take that first step into the fear zone. Yes it’s fraught with a lack of self-confidence, and you may worry about other peoples negative opinions on the matter. At this stage it’s easy to slip back to the safety of your comfort zone, finding seemingly plausible excuses not to preserver.
There comes a point in life when you need to stop reading other people’s books and write your own.
~ Albert Einstein
To help me through this stage, I joined a creative writing class with a supportive tutor. The class gave me nurturing feedback and encouragement and writing soon became a fun hobby. Don’t worry if you can’t find a local writing class. There are virtual writing groups on Facebook, online learning sites, and great bloggers that post fantastic writing resources to help you get started. All you need is a little initiative to find the right resource for you, and then a dedicated slot to write. Even if you can only spare ten minutes a day, or half an hour once a week.
You fail only if you stop writing.
~ Ray Bradbury
Tip: Don’t put pressure on yourself. Write for fun. Write for yourself, as if no one is going to read your work. And allow your creativity to run free, scribbling words upon a blank page. Get those ideas down and don’t look back: not yet anyway, editing comes later. When I teach my classes, I give my students an idea, theme or a character, and ask them to explore that small aspect to help them get started. Don’t get caught up in pesky details as you explore a scene. It will not only slow you down, and potentially put you off.
Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.
~ Louis L’Amour
Soon you’ll be in the learning zone. Full of enthusiasm as you develop new skills and deal with challenges. A great tip is to read as much as you write, if not more: In truth, it’s the best way to learn. Before you know it you’ll be firmly in the growth zone; setting goals, conquering problems and living your dreams. Being a writer is not about how many novels you’ve written, it’s simply continuing to write.
Have you dreamed about becoming a writer? If you’re already a writer, can you share a tip about how you got started? Or share a little bit about your writing journey to help inspire others.
Don’t forget to leave a comment and share your thoughts. You know I love hearing from you.
Thanks for stopping by, until next time, Much Love.
