Read
“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”---Stephen King
Stephen King is right. To be a writer, you have to be familiar with what is out there, like with any other professional in a given industry. For writers, one way to do that is read.
To accomplish this, read everything—different authors, different genres. And read all types of writing from newspaper articles to poetry, from comedy to drama to scripts and everything in-between.
There is a difference between genre and type of writing. Genre refers to a specific field: romance, science fiction, or biography for example. But within these you can have comedy or poetry. These are different types of writing within a genre.
Write
Writing is what you do, so do it. Write something every day, even if it is only for 10 minutes. Let your mind wander and just let the words flow. It doesn’t matter if it makes any sense when you first read it back, you never know what ideas will be generated. Just get something on paper or word doc.
When working on a project, spend some time every day with it, but if you plan on self-publishing, don’t set a set number of pages or words a day. that’s the beauty of self-publishing. You can make your own deadlines.
Learn the Rules, Part 1
What do I mean by that? I mean the basics of writing—proper spellngng, punctuation, verb tense, capitalization, syntax, paragraph formatting, etc. still matters.. Your readers will appreciate it because your work will be easier to read, and you will save money on editing.
So, hears my challenge for you: for the next 48 hours, follow the rules in everything you write. Use your words—no GIFs, emojis, or LOL’s.
(Did you catch my too mistakes?)
Learn the Rules, Part 2
Every genre has rules. Readers will expect you to follow them. For instance, by the end of a mystery novel, you have to reveal the killer. Experimentation is great, but don’t go crazy with it. Allow your audience to keep up with you.
Join a Club
Joining a club is a great way to learn about the industry, meet other writers, and share ideas. There
are local clubs you can join, but with everything going virtual, think outside the local area. For instance, my writing club, The New Hampshire Writers’ Project, is an excellent organization. If in school, look around for campus clubs and take advantage of writing labs and writing centers.
Find Your Space
What I mean here is literal space. Have a specific space in your home dedicated to your writing work. Make if comfortable for you, but keep in mind you are here to work on your writing!
Also, set a specific time to write: morning, afternoon, whatever works for you!
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