Become the Writer You Always Dreamed of Being
BY TAMIKA JOHNSON
So you want to be a writer, except you
don’t know where to begin. Heck you can’t even think of something to
write about let alone how you’re going to get paid for writing. Maybe
you have gotten over those humps but can’t figure out why you’re not a
successful, awarding winning writer yet. Well, here are several tips to
get you through all of those problems and then some.
1. Plan What You are Going to Write
This is very important whether you are
just beginning to write or have been writing for years. Simply put you
need to know what you’re talking about. Many times we as writers get
bogged down in what we call ‘writer’s block’ but all that really means
is that we can’t think of anything to say. If you take whatever idea you
have and start writing down the points you’d like to make about that
idea, then the words will flow naturally. Also it planning what you are
going to say ahead of time saves on time when you actually sit down to
write out that story or article you have in mind.
2. Write Everyday
And yes I do mean EVERYDAY. If you are
serious about writing then you have to treat it like you would a regular
job. That means you need to get up go to your office (a.k.a. your
computer) and get to writing. Rain, hail, sleet or snow you need to
write. Regardless of what you have to do that day you need to set aside
time to write. Which brings me to my next point...
3. Have a Specific Time Set Aside
for Writing and Adhere to that Time
This is important if you’re going to
establish the discipline necessary to become a serious and successful
writer. You have to find a time frame that works for you and stick to
that time frame. No excuses. The main reasons why budding writers don’t
succeed is because they lack discipline. And the only way you gain
discipline is by doing something over and over again, writing everyday
and writing at the same time everyday will help you gain the discipline
you will need to be a success.
4. Write About What You Know and
What You Don’t Know, Research
When you’re first starting out the best
thing you can do is to write about something you know. If you don’t know
anything about astronomy, don’t write about it. It is much easier to
write an interesting and compelling article about something you know and
are passionate about then to write about something you’re clueless
about. As time goes on and you become a better writer then you can
approach topics that interest you but you may not be well versed on.
Research is the key. The Internet, books, magazines, periodicals, be
thorough and make sure if you borrow someone’s idea that you credit them
for it. Plagiarism is the ultimate sin for a writer.
5. Seek Constructive Criticism
Yes I want you to seek criticism. This
isn’t a bad thing. Sure we all want to hear how wonderful we are and
what great writers we are but the positive comments, while ego boosting,
aren’t going to make us better writers, the negative ones are.
Constructive criticism isn’t about being cruel or mean it is about
telling someone what works and doesn’t work about what you’re writing
which will ultimately make you a better writer. So give your work to
people you trust, whose opinions you value and who you know will be
honest with you no matter what. Sure, it may sting a little at first,
but you’ll eventually thank them for their honesty and you’ll see the
results of their criticism as your writing improves.
6. Submit Your Work to as Many
Sources as Possible as Often as Possible
You should be sending out your work
everyday or at the very least once a week. Query letters, reviews,
manuscripts it doesn’t matter; if you want to be successful as a writer
then you have to submit your work as often as possible and to as many
sources as possible. Research the magazines or periodicals, etc. you’re
submitting your work to before you send them anything. You need to make
sure that what you are looking to send then is something they are
looking for and you need to have a through understanding of their
guidelines for submissions. If you expect someone to give you a paying
job then this is the only way to go about it. Also submitting your work
gets you into the habit of viewing your writing as a business and not
just a hobby.
7. Have Fun
Lastly the most important thing to
remember is to have fun, enjoy yourself. This is something you’ve
dreamed of doing and while it is a lot of hard work it should be
enjoyable and not a chore.
Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer
and publisher of
PrologueReviews.com, a medium for artists to receive the exposure
they need to promote their work.
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