In the world of Writing, getting started is always the hardest part. Some use outlines, some use flow charts, and still others write their piece completely out of order so that it doesn’t become as monotonous.
1. Read everything.
Everyone has a prefered genre. Whether it be science Fiction, historical fiction, horror, or any number of others, it is a tendency to stick to one thing. Writers especially are guilty of this, as the common thought is to usually read only the genre that they plan on writing. This is a common misconception. When studying in college, does a student only study their major? No. They are required to take a number of core classes in order to graduate. This is because that all walks of life have to do with something else. Math is necessary in the kitchen, and language skills are necessary in the customer service industry. The same principle applies to writing. If a science fiction author dedicates their reading time to only science fiction, they may never discover a style of writing that would be perfect for their next work. They need to read nonfiction, horror, historical fiction; all genres in order to increase their knowledge of all forms of writing. This is one of the signs of an experienced author.
2. Always carry a notebook.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but often when a writer gets an idea in public they have no way of remembering it. The way of recording ideas doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical notebook, but a writer should always have a way to record their notes. There are a number of notepad apps for phones; there are even some that are made for writers to organize their ideas and go back to them later. The point of this is, even if it’s scribbled on a napkin in sharpie, ideas should always be recorded for later use.
3. Read your writing aloud.
Reading things aloud is one of the most fool-proof ways of editing. When reading aloud writing, it is easier to find grammatical or spelling mistakes that otherwise would have been overlooked. It is also a good way to improve the sound of the writing; some things are more awkward aloud than they are written down on paper. This writing tip isn’t just for speeches or oral papers; it is a valuable editing strategy for all forms of writing.
4. Find a writing community.
Being a writer is one of the most reclusive jobs there is. Hours are spent with pen and paper or at a laptop, and complete silence is needed for focus. However, when looking for good sources, wondering about where to go next, or if any other advice is needed, it helps to have a base of other writers to bounce ideas off of. There are a number of online communities that are made solely for writers to communicate and help each other get through the tough spots of writing. It’s also a good place for writers to find outside sources to edit their work or someone to co-author with.
5. Love what you’re writing.
The common assumption about writers is that they’re all trying to make a best-selling novel. This is by no means true at all. All kinds of writers are needed in order for the community to thrive. Some even start out as writers and find that they prefer to be readers or editors. Poets find that they’re more comfortable with blogging, or novelists discover that they’d rather do short stories. Whatever the style, the most important thing is to enjoy the writing. If the task seems daunting and uninteresting, the writer won’t do their best work, or they may not finish it at all. Everyone has to do things that they don’t want to do. But when writing simply to practice, it helps if the topic is of interest to the writer.
Sources
“20 Writing Tips from Fiction Authors.” 20 Writing Tips from 12 Bestselling Fiction Authors, IUniverse, 2017, www.iuniverse.com/Resources/Writing-Editing/20WritingTipsfrom12FictionAuthors.aspx. Accessed 17 Aug. 2017.
Jaksch, Mary. “15 Outstanding Tips for Blog Writers from Popular Bloggers.” WTD, WriteToDone, 30 Oct. 2016, writetodone.com/tips-for-blog-writers/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2017.
