Becoming a Writer

        

Do you think you would like to write well enough to have your writing published? If so, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Write some every day. Like anything else, it takes practice to do something well. But writing by itself isn't enough. You have to learn to write well.
• Have someone, preferably someone who writes better than you-a parent or teacher for example-critique your work
• Don't take their critique personally, learn from it.

      Read books that have won awards and magazines that interest you. Notice how the author expresses action, dialogue, develops characters, begins the first page, and develops the story.

• Observe. Observe. Observe. Observe life all around you, the colors, sounds, smells, how people interact, how we talk, how animals behave. Apply what you observe to your writing.

• Keep a journal to record your observations and ideas. Keep your journal with you at all times so if a story idea comes to you, you can write it down. I write down all my ideas, interesting names, and anything that I might use in a story.  

• Again, write every day, even if you don't feel like it. You never know when an inspiration might creep into your mind.

• When you read something that causes you to feel some emotion, whether it be sadness, anger, or laughter, study the author's writing to learn how he made you feel that emotion. What words did he use? How were the sentences formed? Look at the details. Then, try to write something of your own that will bring that same emotion to your readers.

        What suggestions do you have for developing your writing skills? 

(Check back later, I'll be adding more suggestions on Becoming a Writer)