www.1001TopWords.com |
Becoming a Writer
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some, a learned skill for others. One thing is certain ? it requires practice and a particular mindset. But, if you're a beginner, where do you start? The following 10 tips will help kick-start your writing habit, whether you're a complete novice, or perhaps a pro who has lost their way! 1. Step Away From the Car, Sir. Slightly detach yourself from your surroundings. Stop participating and begin observing. In social situations, watch people, see how they act and ? more importantly - interact. Don't pass judgment. Take it all in ? and draw on it later when you write. 2. Look Harder, Homer Stop and look around you. Consciously notice the buildings, what's underfoot, overhead, and what's right in front of you. At home, look at something you take for granted. An iron, for instance. Find yours and study it. 3. Write Thinking Will Be Rewarded. A simple technique. Your mother is making tea and you are chatting to her. Take a mental step back and describe the scene. Similarly, when you're outside, describe your environment as though you were writing it down. 4. What Reasons Do You Need? Don't wait for inspiration ? just write! Force yourself to write anything at all. A shopping list. An overheard conversation. Describe your bedroom. It doesn't matter how personal it is, or how trivial, just get it down! 5. Wakey Wakey! Set your alarm clock for an hour earlier than normal. When the alarm goes off, get up. Don't dress, bathe or eat. Don't even make coffee. Just stagger to your writing space and write the first thing that comes into your head for five minutes. 6. Oh God ? Not That! Think of the most awful and embarrassing thing you've ever done - the more cringe-worthy the better. Now write about it. All of it, in all its gory, horrible detail. Then hide it away for a year or so before you read it again! 7. Like Your Style, Baby. Don't limit yourself. Write poems, songs, dialogue, fact, fiction, even practice writing advertising copy or horoscopes. Your expertise improves in all areas ? an improvement in one area can reap benefits in another. 8. The Sincerest Flattery Take out a classic book from your bookcase. Copy out a paragraph. Think about the words as you write them. Don't get intimidated! 9. Wanna See My Invention? When you're not writing, string together stories in your mind. Think of plots, characters, settings, dénouements. Ask yourself what you should do next to improve your writing. Develop this technique into a habit. 10. It's A Goal! When you start writing regularly, set yourself small goals. Anything from 200 words a day, or just a commitment to writing in your diary. Later extend to finishing a short story, or an article or a poem. Perhaps one in a week. The trick is to set goals you can achieve easily. That way you'll get the writing habit - and you won't forget to enjoy it! About The Author Rob Parnell is founder of the Easy Way to Write, a young Internet company committed to giving excellent writing resources to novice and seasoned writers. For free writing lessons and much more visit: http://easywaytowrite.com
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Business Writing Tip: Question & Answer Format Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format, which usually means a plain recitation of the facts, circumstances, or whatever else needs to be said. How to Write Funny -- Its All About Timing My Dad has this old joke that goes, "What's the most important thing about humor?" After a short pause, he interjects, "TIMING!" Write For Yourself First It would be very selfless or noble of me to tell you that I have created my web site only to help you and the rest of humanity. The reason for me spending so much time and energy into my writing and this site is selfish. And I must remind myself of that from time to time, especially when I move into a down period and I am asking myself "why." Write Possibilities We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We dictate actions. We control destinies. 6 Ways to Toot Your Own Writing Horn You know you've got writing talent. Others enjoy your work and you've even sold a few things. You'd like to turn that writing talent into full-time freelancing but you don't enough clients yet. You need to toot your own horn! Starting a Local Writers Group My husband is no poet, so when I offer my carefully pruned poetry for him to review, I get the usual and unsatisfying reply: "That' nice sweetie." Furthermore, he could care less about whom the Poet Laureate is and why I love his smoke pit conversation type poems. I could look elsewhere in my house for literary discourse, but I'd be met by conversations that might go a little like this, "'A' is for apple. Say 'aaaaaah'" Writing Personal Statements - Top Tips WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT TO GET INTO UK UNIVERSITY 5 Easy Steps To Writing Your Appealing Letter You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you achieve all your goals! Get the boss to give your a raise, induce that beautiful blue-eyed girl to be your lover and persuade your mother to buy a BMW Z3 for you this summer. Do You Know What A Plot Is? Creative Writing Tips ? Arouse Your Short Story And See It Published Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you toss your newest story in the trash, revisit it using many of the same guidelines editors keep in mind when they review your work. If you follow these guidelines, you will be many steps closer to placing your short story in a well-known literary journal. Water to Swim In Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire to be a published writer, or maybe I should I say â??Writerâ?? with a capital â??W.â?? For some reason it always seemed a lofty goal, to want to see my byline in print. I found this trepidation totally uncharacteristic to every other area in my life. For twenty years, I have ministered to women both in small home group settings as well as conferences. Especially in conference settings, friends would ask, â??Are you nervous?â?? Almost every time I could answer truthfully that I was not. I could easily stand up in front of hundreds of faces and feel quite confident in my own abilities. Yet, to put an article or query in the mail, or to push the send button to some unknown editor elicited in me, absolute, consuming insecurity. 8 Advantages to Writing a Book as an Entrepreneur As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an expert in something, but does the rest of the world know? You have a wealth of information, experience and knowledge that you can package into a book that will benefit others. This truly is the information age and people want to know what you know. Turning Your Journal Into An Idea Bank A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in assigning articles to reliable, experienced writers, or even allow those writers to peruse them for topics to write about. 10 Best Writers Who Ever Lived Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is like skating on a heated swimming pool. Just when you get started, you find yourself in hot water. New York Code Orange Jaisini New Art Series The creativity of Jaisini is not designed to be preaching or too critical. Paul Jaisini reached his level of mastership to know exactly that life is worth living to look in the future having no regrets about the past. Publisher Ethics For Reprint-able Articles Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics: A Plan All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected. This includes the initial idea, the content or main points, and the conclusion whether it is an article, a short story, a chapter, or a complete novel. Should You Do a Writing Course? First, let's tackle the question that is uppermost in many aspiring writers' minds: "Do I need to do a writing course to sell my writing?" How to Use Textpad to Write Articles Faster It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in ezine publishers want your articles without any formatting. Also, for any email exchange, you need to put your article in the body of the email, not an attachment. Most Online readers who don't know you will not open your email, and people who do know you want it this faster, easier way. 8 Ways to Write a Winner Book Fast! Have you given up on getting your book out of your heart intothe hands of your readers? Don't give up. There's an easy way todo anything and a more difficult way. The easy way usuallyincludes getting helpful advice from someone that's been thereand done that. The author has written five of those ten booksthat were stuck in her heart a few years ago. Here's eight stepsthat will speed you on your way to getting your book out now: |
© Athifea Distribution LLC - 2013 |