Becoming a writer doesn’t seem to require a lot at first. Maybe a pen and a plain old notebook would do. Or a laptop, if you’re the type to prefer tapping on a keyboard than writing on paper. But in truth, it goes a lot deeper than that. Constructing sentences and keeping in mind grammatical rules while also connecting with your readers is no easy feat. In truth, it may be overwhelming to start out writing, whether you want it as a hobby or an actual profession in which you can earn from. But fret not—there are a number of simple ways to kickstart it all.
Read.
There’s a reason why it has been said time and again that the second activity writers must steadily do—after writing itself—is to read. It enhances your vocabulary by exposing you to words that you may be unfamiliar with at first. And once you’ve decided to start the journey to become a wordsmith yourself, you would have an entire collection of new words to use. Going through a variety of genres and authors can also influence your own writing style and perhaps even help you think about new concepts to write about. There’s also the option of studying literature as a full-on course, which could greatly benefit any aspiring writer since you would then have to power through multiple texts with different styles.
Take some classes.
Besides taking up reading and essentially self-learning, it is always better to equip yourself with the proper techniques. After all, writing is more than simply putting words on paper. There are literary techniques, rules, and stylistic elements that you could eventually use once you have completed a writing course. If you have children who wish to become writers, storytelling courses for kids are a great way to start things up. Of course, there are also a variety of adult writing courses online that are geared towards beginners. You can find videos on Youtube if you prefer to learn that way. Joining a class will ultimately help supplement your reading habits and any insights that you would get from it.
Get Inspiration.
We’ve all heard about the horror stories of writer’s block. It happens even to the best and most experienced writers, who still find ways to produce a lot of work. So what about the beginners? There are a lot of ways to get inspiration.
Watch a Movie.
Movies can help writers get inspired by interesting or adrenaline-pumping storylines. It can also help with creating compelling characters who are relatable to the viewers. There are a lot of parallels between books and movies in the way that the story formulas work. Films also help you visualize stories in such a way that books might not necessarily do. Besides, whether it’s a good film or not, analyzing the way that the story unfolds can help you reflect on your own writing. It’s helpful to see not only what works but also what doesn’t since this would let you know what not to do in crafting your own pieces.
Listen and Observe.
But what if movies and books just don’t strike that much-needed inspiration? You can always turn to real life. After all, as the saying goes, art reflects life. Listen to the way that people talk—how their words reflect not only what they say, but also where they’re from. This could allow you to have a better reference for more realistic dialogue compared to simply reading or watching a movie. You can also observe how people react to real situations, which can further inspire your writing. You can try to train yourself to listen and observe as much as you write.
Change Your Writing Space.
Of course, there’s also the choice of simply changing your writing space. It makes a huge difference—contrary to what you might think. For one, a lot of writers prefer to write in a quiet area. Some writers prefer to write at a specific desk since their words somehow flow out better that way. Meanwhile, others prefer to craft their work while listening to music. There are also writers who prefer to take a trip out to a cottage in a secluded area in order to help them focus better. It all depends on your own preference and what works best for you. And as someone starting out on your writing journey, you get the opportunity to experiment with different writing spaces.
Have a regular writing routine.
Even professional, established writers follow a certain writing schedule. Much like a writing space, a writer’s regular writing routine is incredibly personal. There are those who work better in the morning and others who get more inspired at night. Regardless of what you choose, one thing’s for sure, though—it must be regular. This is especially essential if you’re looking to write your first full writing piece, whether it’s an entire novel or a short story. Be sure to stick to it as well and try to hold yourself accountable.
Find your “First Draft” readers.
What’s a writer without a reader? Having completed written pieces isn’t enough if you aren’t able to get another opinion on it. Often, we can’t spot everything wrong with our work. Try to have a few trusted people to be your first draft readers—ones who are knowledgeable about writing and will give you their honest feedback.
Chatty is a freelance writer from Manila. She finds joy in inspiring and educating others through writing. That's why aside from her job as a language evaluator for local and international students, she spends her leisure time writing about various topics such as lifestyle, technology, and business.
