Top 10 Tips For Beginner Writers
Top 10 Tips For Beginner Writers: You’ve made the decision to take up writing or have decided you want to become a better writer — exciting. However, deciding this doesn’t mean you are instantly a writer. The real journey begins here, and although it can seem daunting at first, getting started is easier than you think.
There is no one way to begin writing but listening to advise from other writers can help you find what works for you.
What Does It Mean To Be A Writer? Top 10 Tips For Beginner Writers
There are various how-to guides available on the internet and at your local library that will help get you started. These can include a wide range of topics such as grammar, style, and techniques that are relevant to certain mediums (e.g., poetry, news stories). But what happens once you’ve read all these books? What should you do then?
Let’s start with some basic points:
1. Create a workspace that’s right for you.
Having a designated workspace can be a great way to help you focus and get into the zone. This doesn’t mean you have to have an office or a fancy desk, but it is important to find somewhere that works for you and where you can get comfortable. Some of the most successful writers work from home or in coffee shops. Deciding what works best for you is key, so why not try both?
2. Have a plan and a goal.
If you’re starting out on your writing journey, it’s important to have goals in mind. Whether it’s writing every morning for an hour or setting a word count to hit each day, these are great ways to keep yourself motivated and on track. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should beat yourself up if you don’t hit your target — just do your best!
3. Create your own rules and stick to them.
This is the best piece of advice I can give you. The most important thing about writing is that you enjoy it, and creating rules forces you to think about what you want to achieve from your writing. This can be anything from a daily word count to the number of days in a week you want to dedicate to writing — do whatever works for you!
Once this decision has been made, stick with it. If you are aiming for a certain number of words per day, don’t give up if one day you only write 200 words — just pick up where you left off the next day and remember that every word counts!
4. Find the best time of day to write.
The best time for you to write is when it’s easiest for your brain to hone in on the topic of your writing. This could be the early hours of the morning when you're most likely to get lost in your own thoughts and forget what you're supposed to be doing if you don’t. Although this might seem ridiculous at first, it's an efficient way of getting into a writing zone and focusing on what you're meant to be writing about.
5. The Place for Writing
The best place for your pen or keyboard is where it’s comfortable for you, whether that’s sitting in the chair across from your desk or lying in bed with the light off. If sitting in front of a computer screen feels uncomfortable or makes you anxious, try moving away from it once or twice and see how it feels after a while. You want to find out what works best for you and why.
6. Get a notebook.
This isn’t essential but I always find it helpful when getting started, as it gives me somewhere to keep all my ideas and plans in one place. Your notebook can be used for more than just planning, too — use it to jot down ideas that pop into your head when out and about, brief outlines of chapters or settings that could come in handy later on. If you don’t want to carry around a notebook all day, there are plenty of apps available for this purpose too!
7. Deal with writer’s block as soon as it starts.
If you wait until it goes away on its own, it could be days before you write again. You need to make consistent progress toward improving your writing skills in order to become a better writer, so if you hit a roadblock, take action as soon as possible.
Write about something else for a bit — anything will do — just get back into the flow of writing in order to combat writer’s block. If that doesn’t work for you, try taking some time away from the project entirely and coming back later with a fresh perspective. You could also try walking around and using that time to brainstorm ideas for solving your problem.
8. Find your voice and don’t be afraid to use it.
Your writing is unique, and you should never try to copy someone else’s voice — even if you admire their style.
The way you write is different from anyone else and gives your work a unique flavor that readers respond to.
Your writing voice is a tool that helps you communicate with readers, and as you grow as a writer, so will your voice.
9. Become part of the writing community and get involved in social media if you are comfortable doing that.
If you want to be a writer, then you need to become part of the writing community. This means attending events such as book launches, poetry readings or going out for coffee with other writers.
Social media is also a great way to meet other writers and build up an online presence for yourself by following people who interest you or publishing your own content online.
Make sure not to overwhelm yourself, though — it can be easy to get caught up in all the noise of social media and forget the most important thing: Writing!
10. Build your network by attending writing events, conferences, conventions, workshops & classes, etc, or meeting other writers online.
Writing is a solitary profession, but it doesn’t have to be. Many writers are introverts and like their quiet time, but there will come a time when you need people around you. You need to talk about your stories and share ideas with other writers.
If you feel intimidated or worried about meeting other people then don’t worry. You’ll find that most writers are friendly, welcoming, and open to meeting new people. They’re also happy to help out and answer questions for newbie writers.
You can meet other writers in person by attending writing events such as conventions, conferences, workshops or classes. The Internet also offers a lot of opportunities for meeting other writers such as through forums and social media groups.
Final Thought
In the end of these top 10 tips for beginner writers guide, it’s important to remember that there is no rule for how you must begin writing. Some writers are spurred on by the demands of others to finish something. Others enjoy writing in complete isolation. What matters is that you find what works best for you, then hold onto that vision and have fun with your story.