5 Ways to become a Writer
Writing is a craft. A lot of people, early in life, desire to become a writer, a novelist, poet, artist etc. But like all craft, writing is not as easy as it appears. It takes creativity and imagination to become a writer. As a writer, you tend to spend hours in front of your screen, thinking about what to write, how or where to start. Some even complain about writer’s block, a writer’s block is a condition in which an author is unable to produce new work, it is a creative slowdown. If you have been wanting to launch your writing creativity, or you love writing but you constantly face challenges and don’t know where to start, this piece is right for you.
There are several factors that could make a newbie writer find it difficult to come up with an idea, or make one feel an inability to write. Lack of fascinating ideas is a major problem new writers encounter, you struggle with an idea of what to write about specifically, you spend hours thinking and you just don’t know what to put down. Perhaps you are struggling with confidence, you are not proud of the little work you have been able to come up with, and you are thinking who would want to read this nonsense. Your work is unique and it is nothing to be ashamed or discouraged about. This lack of confidence has made many hide their writings, they do not have the courage to publish it to the public. This is just a fear that most writers face early in life, but a time will come where you have to overcome that fear or lack of confidence. Every piece of writing is important, so is your work. It can even be the fear of criticism that stopped you from becoming a writer, we all go through that phase, but you have to overcome this fear. At one point in your writing career you will be criticized, but you must develop the ability to see all criticism as a way to improve on your craft. It is a feedback you must accept with all positivity.
Writing is a noble art. It is a craft that comes with much prestige. There are great works by several writers which has impacted humanity from different generations to another, people like Machiavelli, Plato, Hemingway, Virginia Woolf. Though these people have died, but their work still impacts us even today, so writing is an endeavor that gives you the opportunity to touch people’s life and make the world better. As a budding writer, do you know your little writing can make a difference in the lives of those around you. Never underestimate the power in your pen. The popular sayings goes: “the pen is mightier than the sword.” This is why dictators suppress the voice of people who write against them, because the pen is mighty.
As a growing writer, the following tips can be of help to you in putting down your creative ideas:
START WITH WHAT MATTER
It is always good to start with subjects that matter to you. We all have different things that we are passionate about, some are passionate about education, some nature, animal rights, arts, beauty, etc. Find out what excites you and write about such subject. This way it will be much easier for you to start. If you are struggling to start, have a dialectical conversation with yourself, ask yourself questions about things that makes you curious. There certain issues that will give you curiosity, such issues are worth writing about. What matters to you most? is it human right, justice, peace, entertainment, or reading. For example, if you love reading books, you can do a review of the book you are currently reading, your major takeaway from the book is enough. Perhaps you like food, you can start writing about such subject. You will ask, who want to read about food, trust me, you will never know until you start, what I guarantee you is that you are not the only one who is curious about such subject. What matters to you also matter to some other people, therefore there is always someone out there who will read and appreciate your writing.
FIND A NICHE
Finding a niche is another extremely important step, in becoming a writer. A niche is a segment of a larger audience, it is a group of people with specific interest. It is a subset of a larger market. A niche give you the opportunity to directly reach specific people who are curious about the subject you are writing on. When you focus on a particular niche it will be much easier for you to understand the need of your audience, and understand their problems easily, that way you can solve their problems.
HAVE A WRITING PLAN
One thing that is essential, is having a writing plan. Imagine you have intentions to write about a topic, you shouldn’t just jump on the topic and start writing. When you get stuck you won’t know how to continue, you might even lose the motivation to keep going. Before setting out to start your write up, break down the topic into sections, it is not just about introduction, body, and conclusion, rather, it is about everything you want to write about on that topic. Break it down into bits, let it have a theme and good flow. By doing this you will be able to get into the mood of finishing up by all means, because you have all you need to write. You won’t have to think for long. Always break down the writing process, do not underestimate this tip, it is highly significant. It will also help you to understand what matters and what does not, it will facilitate research, and help you source for necessary resources you need for that particular writing.
DON’T BE SCARED OF MAKING A MESS
One thing that restrict people from getting to the full extent of their creativity is the fear of making a mess. Don’t allow that fear to hold you down. Make a mess and you will learn from it. Perfection is a process and the more you put in the work, the more you get better. The more the mess, the more you grow, the merrier the better. You might have heard “it is a mess to you, but a message to your reader, why deprive your readers of that message”. So do not be scared of making a mess. Also, when you face your computer screen to write, do as many “freewrites” as you can, and throw as much material into the bin if you like, it is better to write rubbish and rewrite again, throw as much draft into the recycle bin, eventually you will come up with the real thing. Free your mind up to be as creative as you can.
WRITE EVERYDAY
The best way to get better at something is to be consistent. The best way to be a writer is to write, no other way to it. If you read hundred blogs on writing, you will still have to write. No great writer become great without writing, your ability to write everyday will facilitate your improvement. You want to be a writer, write everyday for the next three months and see the progress that will result from it. One way to do this is to find accountability groups, find someone you can be accountable to, you can join a writing group if you can find one. The most talented of writers had to write consistently for years before they attained that height. If you do something everyday, you become a master of it. If you can develop this habit of writing everyday it will not only erase the fear you have, it will also help you develop your unique style. Keep writing.
Written by David Atilola, contributor to WorkSchool. Visit us at www.workschool.co to learn more.
