If you are reading this article the odds are good the storytelling bug has nibbled at your creative center. Maybe you woke from a dream and decided the powerful events that unfolded during your sleep would make a great story. Or it might be a matter of having read a published novel that left you disappointed and feeling you could write a better story. Whatever the reason, you have an interest in writing. All you have to do now is figure out where to start.
Fortunately, the solution is rather simple. Write. Sit down and write. Or stand at your kitchen counter and write if that works for you. What matters is that you make the decision to write and then do it.
“Write. Start writing today. Start writing right now. Don’t write it right, just write it –and then make it right later. Give yourself the mental freedom to enjoy the process, because the process of writing is a long one . . .” ― Tara Moss
Of course, there’s more to writing than the Nike slogan of “Just Do It” suggests. Good writing requires skill and effort, but here are a few suggestions for getting started.
COMMIT TO WRITE
1. Pick a genre to write. The most important writing advice I can give any new author is to write what you love. If you read romance on a regular basis, then write romance. If your search for reading material always takes you to the memoir section, then write memoir. If you love science-fiction, then write science-fiction. The writing process should be a joy for the author and writing what you like to read makes the process more enjoyable and rewarding.
“Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there’ll always be better writers than you and there’ll always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that – but you are the only you.” ― Neil Gaiman
2. Give yourself weekly deadlines. A reasonable writing goal can help motivate you to write. This can either be a minimum number of words you plan to write during the week or an amount of time you are willing to set aside specifically for writing.
3. No excuses. It may be difficult at first, but make a commitment to write and then resist all distractions. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to write and when your resolve to sit down and compose fades, bring out the list and read it.
Fortunately, the solution is rather simple. Write. Sit down and write. Or stand at your kitchen counter and write if that works for you. What matters is that you make the decision to write and then do it.
“Write. Start writing today. Start writing right now. Don’t write it right, just write it –and then make it right later. Give yourself the mental freedom to enjoy the process, because the process of writing is a long one . . .” ― Tara Moss
Of course, there’s more to writing than the Nike slogan of “Just Do It” suggests. Good writing requires skill and effort, but here are a few suggestions for getting started.
COMMIT TO WRITE
1. Pick a genre to write. The most important writing advice I can give any new author is to write what you love. If you read romance on a regular basis, then write romance. If your search for reading material always takes you to the memoir section, then write memoir. If you love science-fiction, then write science-fiction. The writing process should be a joy for the author and writing what you like to read makes the process more enjoyable and rewarding.
“Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there’ll always be better writers than you and there’ll always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that – but you are the only you.” ― Neil Gaiman
2. Give yourself weekly deadlines. A reasonable writing goal can help motivate you to write. This can either be a minimum number of words you plan to write during the week or an amount of time you are willing to set aside specifically for writing.
3. No excuses. It may be difficult at first, but make a commitment to write and then resist all distractions. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to write and when your resolve to sit down and compose fades, bring out the list and read it.
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