How to Start Writing: 10 Tips to Help You Seize the Day

Have you been thinking over an awesome story idea but aren’t really sure how you’ll begin writing? Or maybe you’re already writing but you’ve reached a point where you don’t know where your work is headed?

If so, you’re not alone—because it’s one thing to call yourself a writer, but the writing process is another beast altogether.

Writing is one of those professions or passions with no written rules, just general directions. Don’t get me wrong, it is extremely exciting and satisfying, but it can also be a daunting task, especially at the start. Let’s talk about a few things you can do to finally start writing out your stories.

How to Start Writing

You have the concept, but you just don’t know how you’ll manifest it into a coherent story. Then there’s the doubt. What if no one reads it? Worse, what if no one likes it? And is your work even worth reading?

These thoughts can be paralyzing to a new writer. So how are the pros able to move past these crippling thoughts, create memorable stories, and get themselves published? Here are a few things that might help you out.

1. Read a lot

Writing and reading always go hand in hand. I imagine you, just like me, were inspired to write because you’ve read a lot of awesome books and want to create your own. Most writers have similar stories.

If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.
Stephen King

Immerse yourself into the literary world by checking out different writers, genres, and writing styles. Learn what you can from whatever you read—from how to create believable characters to writing effective dialogue. The things you learn will help you out in discovering your own style and voice.

As you read, you also become accustomed to the writer’s craft. And as you become accustomed, you’ll find it easier to conceptualize the things you want to write about and actually turn them into a complete and coherent story.

Tip: Try keeping a reading journal, taking notes of what you like and don’t like about the different works you read so you know what you want to emulate and avoid in your own writing.

2. Start small and then build up

Tons of TV shows and movies have made us accustomed to stories that often start with big events to hook us into watching, but that’s not always the case with storytelling.

These kinds of hooks can be hard to live up to, and may only limit your writing as you attempt to follow them up. This is an easy trap to fall into as a new writer. Also, hooks do better on screen because of their visual value.

So stick to the small details first. You don’t need to have a tragedy on the first few pages of your story. Set up the characters, build up the scene, and create an atmosphere appropriate to the story.

When you’ve set all of these up, go ahead and do what you want with them, because readers will appreciate a story that’s coherent more than one that overpromises its premise.

Tip: Focus on writing a great exposition, but without info-dumping.

3. Create an outline

A great way of visualizing your story is to create an outline. This way, you have a rough direction to follow when it comes time to actually write it out. Your outline can be as simple as mapping out scenes from the rising action to the denouement.

While the final output rarely matches the original outline, it helps to have a general idea of what’s going to happen. Plus, it’s a great way to keep track of your progress and incentivize yourself. It is immensely satisfying to know where you are with your story by checking out your outline.

Tip: Use our guide to

create an outline for your story.

4. Set up a productive place for writing

Writing is an activity that requires a lot of mental energy. Being in an environment with a lot of other activity going on can be extremely disruptive.

A productive space will differ from writer to writer. I prefer writing in a room full of sunlight and an open window to bring in the breeze. Sometimes, I’ll play a podcast or TV series too. But at night, I like working on the couch, with my laptop on my lap, and listening to my favorite music.

When you have a space you feel comfortable and productive in, it’s easier to get into the mindset of writing. Once you get into the rhythm, it’s often hard to stop.

Tip: Set up a comfortable writing spot where you can be productive.

5. Use writing prompts

Writing prompts are an excellent way to start writing. They’re small enough to expand on with your own writing while providing enough details to fire up your imagination.

You can take a writing prompt in any direction you want. Turn a happy-sounding one into a tragedy and vice versa. The important thing is that you write and try to finish what you’ve written as completely as possible. Not only does this help you exercise your writing skills, but it also makes you more comfortable with the writing process.

One of the best things about writing prompts is that they can turn into full-fledged novels. You can check out a list of writing prompts that were turned into books here.

Tip: Check out some of our favorite creative writing prompts yourself.

6. Set small writing goals

One common problem that new writers often face is giving themselves enormous goals to accomplish. But as a new writer still exploring the craft, you can easily get lost in trying to fulfill these goals.

It’s better to start with small writing goals as they’re more actionable. Break down those big writing goals into less intimidating ones. Think about it. “Finish a novel” sound daunting but changing it to “finish a chapter every week” sounds more doable.

This also helps to maintain your drive as a writer. Too many new writers give up as they feel like they’re not progressing. Small writing goals are easier to accomplish and keep track of, giving you an easier way to measure your development.

Tip: Don’t forget to celebrate your goals too, whether they’re big or small. One of my favorite ways of rewarding myself is buying a book from my wishlist, or watching a movie I’ve been excited about for a while.

7. Make writing a habit

Writers of any background and experience level can suffer from bouts of inactivity. This can seriously affect your writing journey because when you don’t write, you’re not learning how to be a writer. While talent can figure into a writer’s excellence, there’s no substitute for practice and experience. And when it comes to writing, there’s always something new to learn.

I’m not telling you to make it the focus of your life, but to make it a regular activity you do. If you can only commit an hour or so each day or can only write during the weekends, then do so. What’s important here is you keep honing your writing skills.

Aside from honing your skills, writing regularly keeps you on schedule. When it becomes a habit, writing a thousand words a day no longer becomes a chore, but something you simply do every day.

This will help you immensely when you’re working with a deadline, whether it’s self-imposed, for a contest, or for possible publication.

Tip: Choose a time that you can practice writing every day, even if it’s just a few minutes.

8. Research

A big reason for not being able to start writing is because you simply don’t know much about what you want to write about. This is why research is a big part of the writing process.

Whenever you settle down with an idea you want to write about, take some time to find out more about it. Start out on a general direction and slowly narrow it down to what you think you’ll need to complete your story. For example, if you’re going to tell a story about a world that’s 90% water, you’re probably going to look at how oceans work. Then you get to the specifics: how currents work, temperature between depths, ocean fauna and flora, and so on.

The best stories are those that stand up to scrutiny. They must be either realistic or at least believable. If your story falls apart because it’s details don’t work, it will distract your readers or even make them stop reading.

Tip: Learn how to fact check so you can be sure your research is accurate.

9. Copy someone else

Chances are there’s a writer you admire and you probably idolize them because their writing is good. One of the best ways to finally start writing is to emulate your idol.

You’re already familiar with their writing style, voice, and genre so it’s easier for you to get into their frame of mind. Because you’re already comfortable with it, it’ll be easier for you to write. This will be the tinder to your own writing.

Eventually, you’ll discover your own style and voice, even the kind of stories you want to tell. You might not even realize you’re no longer imitating someone, but doing your own thing. Just be careful not to commit plagiarism!

Tip: Take one of your favorite author’s works and note the things you want to emulate in your own writing.

10. Accept that you’ll write poorly sometimes

Sometimes I get excited and imagine my story in its polished and precise final form. But the reality is that your first draft is rarely good, and when you finally write it out, it falls short of what you imagined.

A lot of new writers think that their works are excellent or that writing is either easy to do and easy to find success in. But that’s not the case. While talent and luck can speed up your development as a writer, it is ultimately a learned craft. You get better through repeated practice.

Even the best writers had to go through a crucible of failures and rejection before they got where they are. J.K. Rowling, the woman behind the multi-million dollar Harry Potter series, is pretty open about the numerous rejections she received before finding success. Even Nicholas Sparks wrote two unsold manuscripts before hitting it off with The Notebook.

Accept that you’ll write badly before you write well. And even when you’re already writing well, accept that you’ll sometimes write badly. As you get further into your writing journey, your good writing will eventually outnumber the bad.

So go easy on yourself when you’re not satisfied with your writing or if someone didn’t like it. Find out what you can improve on and apply it to your next work.

Tip: Learn how to handle rejection in a healthy way. Then, pick yourself back up, and get back to writing!

Get Started

Even many professional writers would agree that the hardest part of writing is staring at a blank page.

That’s why the best thing you can do is just get started, whether it’s through writing prompts or creating a really rough outline. Don’t worry about editing or how it sounds—just get started and don’t look back!

Have you recently started writing? Share your experiences in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

The post How to Start Writing: 10 Tips to Help You Seize the Day appeared first on TCK Publishing.

Search This Blog

TCK Publishing Videos