Writing Tips for Beginners
For a new writer, there is no dearth of a topic. All you have to do is to make up your mind and write. If you want, you can write essays or short non-fictional pieces where you can share personal experiences offering analysis or opinion on any issue. These are great starting points for a new writer and can be published in various places. The next option is writing a Blog- where the writing can be less formal and more concise. Poetry is a lyrical expression of human thought- many emotionally driven writers start their journey by writing poems. Essays if written in fiction format can give birth to Short Stories- many writers landed up writing one short story and thereafter many more. If someone has a great plot in mind and is confident about weaving all the characters of the plot together, he might try writing a Novel on the first go. The most important thing is to decide on what topic to choose to write about as that is the biggest confusion in the mind of the beginner. However, the beginner must keep in mind a few things when he starts writing. He has to decide whether he would narrate personal experiences or an issue or share just a story.
Beginner’s Guide to Writing a Book
Whatever format the person chooses to write, the most important is the preparation part. It is very important to increase vocabulary as while writing, a person stumbles not finding the right word to use and this happens with any person who lacks vocabulary. And to add vocabulary, one has to read a lot- particularly the ones written by successful authors. If you decide to write, never stop learning about writing and never leave a chance to read. Practice makes a man perfect is just not a proverb but a reality- if a person aspires to write, he should practice writing whenever he gets a chance. Ideally in his initial days of practice, one should write a small piece on a small topic. With time, he can add on the size and weave more topics together to build up the skill. Research work is extremely important as research improves the quality and enhances knowledge. However, one should always give credit to the source of reference and not infringe ideas of others- ethics is a very important word to be kept in mind by any writer. And always remember the writing is complete only after checking the grammar and originality. Do a check on these- online tools are there to help in this regard.
Writing techniques for non-writers
If you want to write, you have to become anti-social. If are confident that you can switch yourself off from the distractions of social media and socializing, only then you can write. This is extremely important as you have to set a deadline for yourself in writing. If you don’t do that, you shall be the owner of many half-done cakes, but not a single one that would be tasty and can be eaten. It is also very important to write with the end in the mind- if the ending is abrupt and not a smooth-sailing, the readers shall not be glued to you- after all, everyone wants to reach a destination after a journey! Hence it is wise to start small and not complicated. Ensure the writing is like talking only- after all it is your pen talking to the paper and others are listening- that is what is good writing. It is important to know what the audience needs- talk in that language and have that content in your writing. It is also important to write what you know and are confident about- do not write about a subject that is not your comfort area as that would strangle the writer within you. Keep practicing writing and keep on practicing till the time you know you are ready to write. And there is no substitute for reading. Keep reading and enhance your knowledge- the more knowledge you gather, the better you emerge as a writer. And for writing, keep a plan ready- which you shall build up while practicing and reading. Don’t use fluffy words or overused phrases and words while writing. It is also important not to be elitist- your writing is not the platform to exhibit your vocabulary. Be lucid, crisp, and straight.
Creative writing strategies for Novices
It is important to identify the right environment where you are at your creative best. Choose that place to write. Keep writing in a free-flowing way whatever is coming to your mind. It is important to know about the characters you want to write about so that your writing journey is smooth. Draft as many a time it is not perfect- never shy from this thinking it to be a pressure. Keeping a log help in keeping smoothness in the content of the writing. Explore the emotions within yourself to the maximum as that help in writing quality. If you have a good storyline and a main character in mind, start from there itself. A hot topic- on a social or political issue may be a compelling way to start the story. A unique idea sells best- hence try to write something unique and never written before. Write daily and make writing a habit. Don’t try to write perfectly- just keep writing not disturbing the flow of the writing; correction is to be done later. Finally the most important one- be open to criticism. Accept the criticism for the betterment of your writing.
Overcoming writer’s block
Writer’s block is a natural phenomenon for an author and all persons in performing art have undergone this at some point in time. One cannot be equally productive around the year- so it is wise to accept it and overcome the block- ensuring its durability is minimum. For this, the most important thing is to make writing a habit- you have to write every day. Broadening the space helps a lot- find out the spaces where you are most comfortable and use those places for writing. Don’t sit staring blankly at the sheet or the screen as that would make you more nervous- instead speak to a friend with whom you are comfortable. Write at that time of the day when you are most comfortable and stay away from distractions as much as possible. When you are not writing, keep reading- that would later contribute to your writing in some form or the other. Don’t worry about writing when you are unable to write- instead, keep yourself busy in some other job that would keep your mind away from writing! Failing is a part of life- never take it to heart; that would not add any value but instead shall keep making you feel frustrated and make you lose confidence in yourself.
Tips for writing a book with no experience
Keep taking notes on the subject you want to write about. When the note is adequate, make a simple outline where you would write what you want to write about and about whom you want to write. Also, write on the time you want to capture and the place which you want to keep as background. Keep reading on the subject you want to write on keeping a check on how the other authors have managed the subject. Do not start writing the entire book in one go as that would create confusion in your mind; to start with, write about your own experiences in a creative way. Do not get discouraged as this would kill the writer within you- it is just natural that your first book shall not do well. There is no harm in learning from other writers hence learn as much as possible. It is wise not to experiment with the first novel but instead follow the tested path.
Tips to get started with writing a book
First, you have to identify why you want to write the book and which idea you would love to write. Keep researching the works of other writers. Build up an outline of the story and plan the opening sentence of the novel. Complete the first draft of the writing ignoring whether it is messy or not- it cannot be perfect and you have to accept it. Instead, hire a good editor. Format the book properly and come up with a good title. Build a good cover and build a launch team. Keep getting ongoing positive reviews. Finally, take the help of a mentor for the final push.