TOP FIVE MOVES EVERY NEW WRITER NEEDS TO MAKE
As you’re getting started as a new writer, there are several things you need to do in order to be successful. Here are the top five moves every new writer needs to make.
As you’re getting started as a new writer, there are several things you need to do in order to be successful. Here are the top five moves every new writer needs to make.
FIND YOUR VOICE
Find Your Voice – It can take time before you find your voice, so don’t worry if it takes a while. That said, there are some steps you can take to help you find your voice sooner rather than later. One way is by reading and writing as much as possible. You may not be interested in what you’re writing now, but reading and writing will give you a better understanding of how language works and how different types of sentences sound. You’ll also learn about literary devices like similes, metaphors, and allegories which will make it easier for you to work these into your own stories. Another important step is finding the kind of writing that speaks to you; this might require some experimentation with genres until you find one that’s enjoyable for you to write. Once again, reading up on popular books in the genre might be helpful for figuring out what direction suits you best.
Figure Out What You Like To Write About
Figuring out what you like to write about can be as simple as just sitting down and writing. Once you’re in a groove, you’ll know if it’s an area that interests you. If not, try another topic and see if anything clicks. Try Writing On Different Types of Topics: A lot of writers find they are more successful with one genre than the other. If you find yourself getting bored or frustrated with one type of topic, try writing on a different type. Read Books from Authors You Like: Reading books from authors you like is a great way to learn how to use certain techniques or language that might work for your work-in-progress. What Is Your Point of View?: Figure out which perspective works best for your story. Some stories may call for first person point of view while others may need third person point of view. Other articles I’ve written cover this subject in depth so check them out!
Write About What You Know
Advice for new writers can be overwhelming, but there are a few basic steps everyone should make when they’re starting out. Here are the top five moves every new writer needs to make.
- Decide on an idea and a story you want to tell.
- Write it down in some way, whether it’s writing in a notebook or typing on your laptop.
- Figure out where you want the reader to go emotionally–what emotions do you want them feeling at different points throughout the story?
- Create scenes that will evoke those feelings–some will work better than others, so if it doesn’t work, don’t worry about it.
- And Edit your work until it’s done.
Work On Your Opening Paragraphs
It’s never too late to start writing! Whether you’re a beginner or have been at it for years, there are plenty of ways you can break into the world of freelance writing. But with so many options, where do you start? We’ve got your back with our top five moves every new writer needs to make.
1. Find Your Niche 2. Create an Author Platform 3. Network With Other Writers 4. Find Great Freelance Writing Jobs 5. Write Regularly and Share Your Work When people ask how they can become a writer, one of the first things we always recommend is that they find time to write regularly. You might be thinking I don’t know what I should write about. Don’t worry! There are tons of great ideas out there if you need some help getting started. Check out this post on How to Choose What to Write About for some inspiration.
Take FeedBack From The Right People
One of the most important things you can do when you’re starting out is finding people who will give you feedback on your work. Feedback is one of the best ways to learn how to write well and identify any errors or holes in your story. It can be hard, though, because it’s difficult for some people to give constructive feedback without also making comments about what they dislike about a work. In order to avoid this issue, it’s helpful to find readers who are willing to focus solely on providing tips that will help you improve as an author. Writers’ groups are a great way to find other like-minded writers who want nothing more than to help each other become better at their craft. If joining a group isn’t an option for you, try looking for blog posts or articles that offer constructive criticism of stories written by writers just like yourself.
To write, create a schedule. Choose what time of day you will work on your writing and stick to it. This will help you get into a rhythm and also free up time for other activities that are important to you. I find that mornings are best for me, so I wake up at 6 AM every morning and then spend an hour working on my writing before tackling the rest of my day.
Also, find some friends who share your interests in writing. There is nothing more motivating than talking with someone who is going through the same process as you and can offer advice. Finally, be prepared to deal with criticism. Once you put your writing out there, others are going to judge it no matter how good or bad they think it is; instead of getting frustrated or hurt by this feedback, try to use it as a tool for improvement. It’s hard to hear that something isn’t working but once you learn from it, you’re well on your way to being a great writer.
[…] Plus, you honed your skills in writing. Check out this post about how to start as a blogger. […]