So you want to be a writer, except you don't know where to begin. Heck you can't even think of something to write about let alone how you're going to get paid for writing. Maybe you have gotten over those humps but can't figure out why you're not a successful, awarding winning writer yet. Well, here are several tips to get you through all of those problems and then some.
1. Plan What You are Going to Write ? This is very important whether you are just beginning to write or have been writing for years. Simply put you need to know what you're talking about. Many times we as writers get bogged down in what we call 'writer's block' but all that really means is that we can't think of anything to say. If you take whatever idea you have and start writing down the points you'd like to make about that idea, then the words will flow naturally. Also it planning what you are going to say ahead of time saves on time when you actually sit down to write out that story or article you have in mind.
2. Write Everyday ? And yes I do mean EVERYDAY. If you are serious about writing then you have to treat it like you would a regular job. That means you need to get up go to your office (a.k.a. your computer) and get to writing. Rain, hail, sleet or snow you need to write. Regardless of what you have to do that day you need to set aside time to write. Which brings me to my next point?
3. Have a Specific Time Set Aside for Writing and Adhere to that Time ? This is important if you're going to establish the discipline necessary to become a serious and successful writer. You have to find a time frame that works for you and stick to that time frame. No excuses. The main reasons why budding writers don't succeed is because they lack discipline. And the only way you gain discipline is by doing something over and over again, writing everyday and writing at the same time everyday will help you gain the discipline you will need to be a success.
4. Write About what You Know and what You Don't Know, Research ? When you're first starting out the best thing you can do is to write about something you know. If you don't know anything about astronomy, don't write about it. It is much easier to write an interesting and compelling article about something you know and are passionate about then to write about something you're clueless about. As time goes on and you become a better writer then you can approach topics that interest you but you may not be well versed on. Research is the key. The Internet, books, magazines, periodicals, be thorough and make sure if you borrow someone's idea that you credit them for it. Plagiarism is the ultimate sin for a writer.
5. Seek Constructive Criticism ? Yes I want you to seek criticism. This isn't a bad thing. Sure we all want to hear how wonderful we are and what great writers we are but the positive comments, while ego boosting, aren't going to make us better writers, the negative ones are. Constructive criticism isn't about being cruel or mean it is about telling someone what works and doesn't work about what you're writing which will ultimately make you a better writer. So give your work to people you trust, whose opinions you value and who you know will be honest with you no matter what. Sure, it may sting a little at first, but you'll eventually thank them for their honesty and you'll see the results of their criticism as your writing improves.
6. Submit Your Work to as Many Sources as Possible as Often as Possible ? You should be sending out your work everyday or at the very least once a week. Query letters, reviews, manuscripts it doesn't matter; if you want to be successful as a writer then you have to submit your work as often as possible and to as many sources as possible. Research the magazines or periodicals, etc. you're submitting your work to before you send them anything. You need to make sure that what you are looking to send then is something they are looking for and you need to have a through understanding of their guidelines for submissions. If you expect someone to give you a paying job then this is the only way to go about it. Also submitting your work gets you into the habit of viewing your writing as a business and not just a hobby.
7. Have Fun ? Lastly the most important thing to remember is to have fun, enjoy yourself. This is something you've dreamed of doing and while it is a lot of hard work it should be enjoyable and not a chore.
Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of PrologueReviews.com. To read more articles by Tamika and to recieve FREE tips on becoming a successful writer visit http://www.prologuereviews.com
quick home cleaning Glenview ..Next time you're tempted to use italics for emphasis... STOP!"Why?"... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Recently I was watching the Oprah show and it was... Read More
9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More
Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the... Read More
Simply put, it is the art of writing scripts for... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
Story Structure Templates are the fastest way to write screenplays.... Read More
'Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always... Read More
My dad was wrong. I just discovered that I am... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
The first five pages of a novel are critical.Editors make... Read More
1. Make your goals achievable.By achievable, we mean realistic and... Read More
"No one will ever know who I am, I'm a... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
The process of developing a working title for your nonfiction... Read More
Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More
Plotting a book can seem an overwhelming task when you're... Read More
scheduled maid service Winnetka ..As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
Your computer is a writing machine, a word processor, a... Read More
Do you suffer from writer's block? Is there a pending... Read More
At first, I noticed that I could have written many... Read More
Often, time is an enemy of writers. Sales seem slow... Read More
One of the nice things about being an author is... Read More
When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More
For those looking at the jobs listings for writers, they... Read More
1. Turning your idea into a bookWith non-fiction books the... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
Hands up all those who'd like to have a successful... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
There is no doubt that a staff writer enjoys advantages... Read More
To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
Have you given up on getting your book out of... Read More
Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More
When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
First, let's tackle the question that is uppermost in many... Read More
Here's everything I know about improving your writing, publishing it... Read More
Writing |