Essential Tips for Beginning Writers

By Nicholas Spade

 A writer is a noble and exciting profession. It arises at the intersection of vivid imagination, broad knowledge, deep feelings, a talent to use the power of words, and the ability to meet readers’ expectations. The art of writing opens numerous opportunities in the modern world. These skills can come in handy for custom writing help, online essay services, academic paper help, college paper assistance, etc.

The same can be said about online essay editing services and edit service for college projects; a professional writer can replace an editor and edit texts too. 

Today everyone needs quality text content: students who have issues with writing assignments; enterprises, promoting businesses on the Internet; common readers looking for engaging stories, and many others. So, you can always find a job in this sphere. All you need as a beginning writer is a desire to start and some useful advice from experts.

Tips for writers: ultimate beginner’s guide

Understanding of the writing art is the first step to your creative achievements. When you know enough theory, everything is getting easier.

#1 Choose your sphere of writing

Nowadays, the concept of the writer is rather wide. It is not restricted to classical literature, crime fiction, journalistic articles, or something like that. One can create business books, technical descriptions, advertising texts, content for social media, etc.

There is no need to dwell on one direction. You are free to opt for a couple of variants. Say, provide writing help service at Writing-help.org and, meantime, establish a personal blog.

#2 Develop your skills

No matter what path of development you have chosen, you must:

●      know your subject perfectly (both theoretical and practical aspects);

●      convey ideas and thoughts in an interesting and understandable manner;

●      feel the readers expectations and write precisely what they need;

●      avoid grammar mistakes and adhere to a proper style.

#3 Learn common writing techniques

Work on your writing style. Obviously, it is all up to the purpose of your texts. For example, if you deal with creative tasks, leverage comparisons, alliteration, metaphors, exaggerations, etc. By doing so, you will make your stories bright and memorable.

#4 Avoid cliches

The value of any text lies in its uniqueness. Phrases that are often repeated sound dull and uninteresting. The thing is trite expressions lose their freshness and power. That is why readers get bored, and they close your article or book. The English language has enough words to express all the range of emotions. Having felt their beauty and power, you will create your own one-of-a-kind story.

#5 Observe and research

Any writer is a researcher, in a way. You have to study various information to create a new unique text. Facts and statistics are essential to prove a certain point of view and ensure a convincing tone. Besides, when watching current situations or analyzing previous events, you can notice new patterns, and, thus, come up with fresh ideas.

#6 Strive to create a special atmosphere around your stories

Writing talent implies the creation of vivid images. They arise from the author’s personal life experience, thoughts, suggestions, etc. While reading, people get a picture of described events and characters; and your job is to give them bright impressions. This is how you can win attention and stay in the memory and hearts of readers. This skill is helpful for writing both fiction and content for commercial purposes.

#7 Love what you do

Make sure that writing is your passion; otherwise, you can face burnout. Do not start a career of the writer, if it is not your cup of tea. Apart from creativeness, this profession includes a lot of routine tasks. To cope with all of them regularly, you need to like the process of creating texts.

How to become a good writer: practical advice

#1 Start writing

Aspiring authors are often afraid to make the first attempt. Yet, realize that you will never become a writer if you only read posts on how to do it. The practice is extremely important in this case, as it hones writing skills and broadens the vocabulary.

Writing has to become your good everyday habit. Make short notes on papers, type texts on your social media, compose texts in Google Docs. The point is to record your ideas regularly.

#2 Do not forget your ideas

Fix all your insights and thoughts. Do not hope that you will remember them after a while. Write all your suggestions in a notebook, use a smartphone, or any other gadget. It is not necessary to type everything. Try to record voice messages or use  voice input. Thus, you will have a good database of personal reflections.

#3 Train your concentration

Focus on the main goal and pay attention to details. Say, if you get a writing assignment to describe your personality, do not write a lot about your family or friends. Learn to concentrate your efforts on priorities. This approach enables you to write effectively.

#4 Organize your daily routine

Professional authors have a bunch of orders every month. Meantime, a lot of them work on a freelance basis. If you want to earn good money from writing, make a schedule and take away all the distractors.

Your working place must be in a calm place; or, at least, use headphones. Forget about social media, TV-series, and chats with friends while writing. Take this profession seriously, and soon you will succeed in it.

#5 Present yourself on the Internet

You can start a blog, contribute content as a guest writer, or even write a book and sell it on Amazon. The thing is to demonstrate your talents and get feedback from readers. Moreover, you can also use your publications as a portfolio.

Expert advice from Writing-help.org: Give links to published articles in your further online texts (if appropriate). It helps content to go viral.

#6 Experiment with writing styles

You can create various types of texts. Do not be afraid to try your hand at media writing, compose an analytical article, help your younger brother with his essay, etc. By doing so, you develop the mindset, look for a favorite niche, and establish an individual writing style.

#7 Find new angles

When you write about a particular issue, try to be objective. Look at the problem from various points of view. Sometimes unexpected suggestions turn into valuable ingenious ideas.

#8 Stay alone with your thoughts

Students often prefer to study with music in headphones or at cafes. It is all about a pleasant atmosphere that gives good vibes. Still, try to write at least one article in silence, and you will feel the difference. Your efficiency will rise, and the text will be more meaningful.

#9 Use contemporary online programs

We recommend Grammarly and Hemingway. The first one is perfect for catching typos, and the second one is good to correct stylistic mistakes. Modern applications enable people to check texts fast, as well as give an outside perspective. However, do not rely fully on them, as even the latest algorithms cannot detect specific nuances.

Of course, you can work with a professional editor. Yet, good spelling and grammar remain the essential skills for any writer.

#10 Find like-minded people

It is a good idea to join a group of writers. Look for professional and amateur communities on social media, blogging platforms, writing conferences, etc. The feeling of belonging gives psychological support and confidence. Besides, you can exchange experience and knowledge. You need someone to discuss new trends and share problems.

Sources of inspiration for writers

As a beginner, you might often face writer’s block. If the muse does not come to you, buy a ticket to the concert or a cinema. Some rest and new impressions work well in this situation. Here are some more variants:

●      prose and poetry,

●      other art forms (painting, photography, theater),

●      modern blogs,

●      trips and nature,

●      communication with interesting people,

●      meditation.

Experts from Writing-help.org are always ready to support your aspiration to become a writer. If you have any issues making the first steps in this career, go to their online company. These guys have created a blog to bring inspiration and give useful tips. You are also free to order any cheap writing or related service from their specialists.

Nicholas Spade, a freelance content creator, blogger, essay writer at  Writing-help.org, editor at Essay-editor.net. Uses the magic of words and the science of psychology to help students and businesses. Finds inspiration in documentary films, poetry, and journeys.

Indie Marketing Guru David Gaughran Shares Tips For Indie Publishing Success

Today's guest is David Gaughran, author of the historical adventures Liberty Boy, Mercenary & A Storm Hits Valparaiso, and has helped thousands of authors to self-publish their work via his workshops, blog, and books such as Let’s Get Digital, Strangers to Superfans, BookBub Ads Expert, and Following.

In May 2020, he was one of the recipients of the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award. The SFWA President said, “David Gaughran has been doing yeoman’s work for years, alerting indie writers about predatory schemes and warning them about changes in independent publishing. His work makes the science-fiction and fantasy landscape safer for writers.”

Listen to the Episode Now!

Lindsay Wong On Writing One Book While Touring For Another

Welcome to the SNOB - Second Novel Ominipresent Blues. Whether you’re under contract or trying to snag another deal, you’re a professional now, with the pressures of a published novelist compounded with the still-present nagging self-doubt of the noobie. How to deal?

Today’s guest for the SNOB is Lindsay Wong, the best-selling, award-winning author of the memoir The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug-Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family, which won the 2019 Hubert-Evans Prize for Nonfiction, and was a finalist for the 2018 Hilary Weston Prize for Nonfiction and was defended by Joe Zee on Canada Reads 2019.

She has a BFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and an MFA in literary nonfiction from Columbia University, and is now based in Vancouver, Canada. My Summer of Love and Misfortune is her first YA novel. Wong is an adjunct professor of creative writing at The University of British Columbia. 

Follow her on Twitter @LindsayMWong, Instagram @LindsayWong.M or visit her website https://lindsaywongwriter.com. Her email is lindsay.wong@ubc.ca

Is it hard to leave behind the first novel and focus on the second?

My debut was a darkly comedic memoir titled The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug-Raids, Demons And My Crazy Chinese Family (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2018), and it’s a very different book than my YA debut, My Summer of Love And Misfortune (Simon Pulse), which is a fun, lighthearted summer beach read. I am incredibly lucky to be promoting both of my books, although I have to admit, I’m a little bit exhausted from reading and talking about my memoir.

I’m extremely grateful that people still want to read my debut, but I did 67 readings in 2019 alone, and I’m getting really bored of myself, haha. I’m more excited to talk about Iris Wang, the wild 17-year old protagonist of My Summer Of Love and Misfortune. She’s more impulsive and interesting than me, and she also has way more misadventures! I guess I’m excited to leave nonfiction behind. I keep telling everyone I’ll write another memoir when I’m 70 years old.

At what point do you start diverting your energies from promoting your debut and writing / polishing / editing your second?

I did not plan or manage my time well when writing my second book nor did I really expect to be an author. I thought only five people (including my agent) would read my debut memoir. As a teenager, I wanted to be a writer because I thought this type of adult professional stayed home in her pajamas and ate junk food all day, but it turns out, being an author is such an extroverted role with so much public speaking and networking.

While I was on tour for The Woo-Woo, I was trying to write My Summer of Love And Misfortune because it was due, so I would have to write a bit on airplanes, in the airport, or in hotel rooms. It was a very rushed, stressful experience, and I honestly don’t recommend it if you can help it! Writing while promoting your debut feels a lot like a whirlwind. Personally, I have to be in the right headspace to be grumpily writing vs. feeling social and friendly. I’m very grateful that editor Jennifer Ung gave me the opportunity to write a YA book, and I was so glad I was able to finally complete an entire manuscript.

Your first book landed an agent and an editor, and hopefully some fans. Who are you writing the second one for? Them, or yourself?

I joke that this is the second book that I’ve written for myself. In my dedication for My Summer of Love And Misfortune,  I write: This book is dedicated to the very best and worst disaster that I know: myself! And also to anyone who has ever felt that they never belonged to any particular people, purpose, or place. I see you and I salute you and I promise that you will be 85 percent okay (one day) in this scary, tumultuous and glittering world.

Essentially, the book is for me, but it’s also for all the Irises out there, young people who feel lost and don’t yet know who they are or what they’re supposed to do with their lives.

Is there a new balance of time management to address once you’re a professional author? 

Great question! I am still trying to figure out how to be an author between work, promotion, and writing-time. I’m not one of those writers who are excellent at time management or even very good at finding time to write every day. I do well on deadlines, but I do become stressed and grumpy and no one wants to be near me. Honestly, I’m envious of people who manage full-time jobs and then they go home to write or wake up really early and still manage to produce wonderful books.

During the pandemic, I have been making to-do lists, but often, I find myself only doing 1-2 things/day, whether it’s errands or folding laundry. I also really don’t know how people can manage to keep up to date with their emails. Invoices literally take me hours, haha. I am, however, slowly learning to say no a lot more, despite feeling guilty, and setting more boundaries. I don’t answer DMs on Twitter or Instagram anymore, unless I know the person IRL.

If anyone has the secret to time management and multitasking, especially when it comes to writing, please let me know!

What did you do different the second time around, with the perspective of a published author?

A ton of people don’t know that I’m a very shy, introverted person, and I suffer from stage fright at literary events A LOT. With my YA book, I mentally prepared myself to be able to participate in interviews and speak in front of a medium-sized crowd. Talking to strangers is terrifying for me, so my advice for socially anxious writers, do something relaxing before an event! Say no to large group-dinners that are scheduled before a reading and always, always preserve your energy and never take what readers say personally. Once, during a book signing, a lady waited in-line for twenty-five minutes just to tell me how much she hated my book and how much trauma I had personally given her. It was not fun! 

When the pandemic happened, all the literary festivals either got cancelled or went online, and I have to say, I was seriously made for virtual promotion. I can lie in bed and read my work, and I can even wear my pajamas sometimes. It’s actually very nice not to worry so much about interacting with other human beings or finding a matching outfit in my closet, haha.