Getting Into Writing: The Basics

If you’ve been harbouring dreams of quitting your day job and becoming a full-time author, becoming a copywriter or for some tips on the first stages of getting into writing, then you’ve come to the right place. 

Think About What Kind of Writing You Want to Do

There are many different types of writing to choose from, so first off it can be helpful to narrow down the type of writing that you’re interested in exploring or mastering.

Here are some different types of writing to choose from: 

• Copywriting: This is writing for marketing or promotional purposes. It is an ideal skill for anyone wanting to work in marketing or even just to promote your own writing. 
• Blogs: Blog posts are most frequently non-fiction writing. Blog posts are a great way to get into writing frequently and finding your voice.

• Poetry: There are many different types of poetry for you to explore. Writing poetry is brilliant for people who want to express their emotions through words.

• Essays: These are non-fiction pieces of writing. They are a great way to get started and begin to express yourself in your writing. 

• Short stories: These are a great way to test out your skills of narrative construction in a short space. They are a great place to start if you plan to write a novel one day. 

• Novels: Once you’ve honed your skills, novels are a brilliant way to develop your skills by constructing a longer narrative. 

Think About the Subject Matter for Your Writing 

So, once you’ve decided the format that you want to try, then it’s time to find a subject to write about. In some respects, your format guides what you’ll write about. For example, if you’re writing an essay, then it’s likely that it will be an account of a personal experience of yours, an analysis of something or an opinion piece. And if you’re lucky enough to already have an idea of what you want to write, then you can skip past this section.

When you’re looking for a subject to write about, it can be easiest to write about something you know lots about. That could be yourself (your experiences, your family, your hopes, your dreams) or something that you feel passionate about. When you know a subject well, it can be easier to fully delve into the feelings, thoughts and details, to write fluidly.

When writing fiction, a helpful way to get stuck in is to think about the genres you read the most. Ask yourself what makes the books you read gripping. Can you replicate that feeling but with a new and unique plot? This starting point can help you unfurl the story – the twists and turns that make up the plot of the novel itself. Brainstorming is a helpful tool here, so you can put all your thoughts down into one place and then piece together the story from there.  

6 Ways to Start to Become a Good Writer

• Read, read, read. It’s so simple, but it’s so important. Keep exposing yourself to great writing in whatever form you enjoy. It helps you enrich your vocabulary, learn different things, see things from different points of view and exposes you to different writing styles. 

• Take classes. There are so many different classes out there – from in-person lessons to online courses, Classes can help you learn new skills, develop new ways of working, and can also be a great way to meet new people. 

• Set a routine. Having a clear routine can be incredibly helpful, as it takes away the need for motivation. If you plan your day out in a planner then you know what you need to do and when you need to do it – no time wasted thinking about whether or not to write, just write. 

• Brush up on your grammar. While it’s not the be all and end all of becoming a writer thanks to online tools, having a firm grasp of grammar is important. It distinguishes you from those who don’t know their craft, and means for commercial writing, you’ll be much more useful. No one wants a copywriter who can’t use a comma. Just be aware that all of the tools in the world don’t erase the need for a good editor. 

• Get feedback. This is one of the hardest parts of becoming a writer, but one of the most important. If you really want to improve your writing, then it’s great to give it to someone else to hear their opinion. 

• Join a writing group. Writing is a very independent practice, so it’s helpful to engage with groups of writers who are experiencing the same thing as you. They can help you navigate the journey and provide help when you need it. 

• Get the right tech. To save yourself from having to Google things like “no internet on Mac” make sure to keep your tech up-to-date and make back-ups of your writing.

What to Do If You Get Writer’s Block

Writer’s block happens to every writer, so the first time you find yourself looking at a blank document with no idea of how to start, don’t panic. 

Here are ten top tips for what to do if you experience writer’s block: 

1. Give yourself a goal to work towards – even if it’s just getting out 500 words 
2. Don’t beat yourself up, understand that it happens to everyone 
3. Get up and go for a walk to clear your head and give yourself a break 
4. If it’s really not working for you, sleep on it and come back to it the next day 
5. Go back to your notes and see if you can spark inspiration from there 
6. Play encouraging, moving or calming music to motivate yourself 
7. Talk it out with a friend, or fellow writer
8. Write anything – literally anything – to get yourself going 
9. Read something by an author who you enjoy or who inspires you 
10. Write a to do list to see if it prompts anything 

This is a collaborative guest post