What's the least expensive, but still effective, way to get started with writing?
Many of my readers are also writers who haven’t yet published. They frequently ask me for tips and advice on writing and publishing options, including the question above. This is a fairly complex topic, so I may turn this post into a series.
My first tip is simple — if you want to be a writer, be a writer. Write your first sentence on paper, either by hand or on your computer. Now you are a writer. What you have written is copyrighted the instant you put it into tangible form. You have a string of words that can be copyrighted and expanded into a full paragraph, then a short story or chapter, and possibly into a novella or full-length novel. But that isn’t your focus at this point. The focus is to begin and then to continue.
Many writers have difficulty with beginning. They want a great first sentence and opening paragraph, something that will capture their readers from the start. They stare at their blank screen or paper, ponder, mull, rub their forehead, look up to the ceiling for guidance, lower their forehead to the paper or keyboard hoping words will seep in through osmosis, close their eyes, take a deep breath, open their eyes... and find the page is still blank.
Or maybe that’s just me.
When I think about writing, the words elude me. When I write what I think or feel, the sentences flow like blood through the heart. The idea for a scene or dialogue comes to me and I just write it. That’s the heart of it. I don’t worry about how it reads, the grammar, or building the full body. That comes later in round 2, or 3, perhaps 4 or more. When I go back and read the first draft, I cringe but remind myself that no one else will see it but me. I have a structure to work with. I can clean it up, add to it, polish, take out any late night rambling nonsense not worth saving, etc. My scenes may be in separate files and I probably have not put them in any order yet. I thought of a scene and wrote it down. The point is, I have something to work with, and that’s a good start.
You need a way to put those ideas on paper. What tools do I recommend? There’s so many choices these days with writing software and websites. No option is right for everyone. You have to find what works for you — what fits your lifestyle and schedule and what you feel most comfortable using. You might prefer your grandmother’s old typewriter. I’m most comfortable with using my word processing software on my computer. I could add more bells and whistles by using one of the available writing programs, and perhaps I’ll try that someday, but for now, Word does everything I need. I have another job where I sometimes get breaks during the day. I run personal errands and go places for fun. Most of the time, I don’t have my computer or tablet with me. I always have something in my purse to write on, whether it’s a notebook, notepad, or scrap paper. Once I return home, I clean out my purse and type up all my scribbles. Some writers do better with more structure - an office and a desk. I prefer my comfy sofa with my dog by my side and music playing in the background. Choose what works best for you...
And begin.
My first tip is simple — if you want to be a writer, be a writer. Write your first sentence on paper, either by hand or on your computer. Now you are a writer. What you have written is copyrighted the instant you put it into tangible form. You have a string of words that can be copyrighted and expanded into a full paragraph, then a short story or chapter, and possibly into a novella or full-length novel. But that isn’t your focus at this point. The focus is to begin and then to continue.
Many writers have difficulty with beginning. They want a great first sentence and opening paragraph, something that will capture their readers from the start. They stare at their blank screen or paper, ponder, mull, rub their forehead, look up to the ceiling for guidance, lower their forehead to the paper or keyboard hoping words will seep in through osmosis, close their eyes, take a deep breath, open their eyes... and find the page is still blank.
Or maybe that’s just me.
When I think about writing, the words elude me. When I write what I think or feel, the sentences flow like blood through the heart. The idea for a scene or dialogue comes to me and I just write it. That’s the heart of it. I don’t worry about how it reads, the grammar, or building the full body. That comes later in round 2, or 3, perhaps 4 or more. When I go back and read the first draft, I cringe but remind myself that no one else will see it but me. I have a structure to work with. I can clean it up, add to it, polish, take out any late night rambling nonsense not worth saving, etc. My scenes may be in separate files and I probably have not put them in any order yet. I thought of a scene and wrote it down. The point is, I have something to work with, and that’s a good start.
You need a way to put those ideas on paper. What tools do I recommend? There’s so many choices these days with writing software and websites. No option is right for everyone. You have to find what works for you — what fits your lifestyle and schedule and what you feel most comfortable using. You might prefer your grandmother’s old typewriter. I’m most comfortable with using my word processing software on my computer. I could add more bells and whistles by using one of the available writing programs, and perhaps I’ll try that someday, but for now, Word does everything I need. I have another job where I sometimes get breaks during the day. I run personal errands and go places for fun. Most of the time, I don’t have my computer or tablet with me. I always have something in my purse to write on, whether it’s a notebook, notepad, or scrap paper. Once I return home, I clean out my purse and type up all my scribbles. Some writers do better with more structure - an office and a desk. I prefer my comfy sofa with my dog by my side and music playing in the background. Choose what works best for you...
And begin.
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