So you’ve decided to commit to the art of writing. Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, we get it’s a super daunting time and you probably have a ton of questions, including “how can I get better at this?”.
Every well-known writer you can think of has benefitted from writing tips and that’s because every good writer knows that their skill can always be improved.
So if you’re looking for some ways to get those creative juices flowing or you need help in your journey to becoming a self-published author, we have all the writing tips for beginners in this new realm.
Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
Less Over-Thinking and More Writing
The very first mental hurdle to overcome for most writers is the fear of what people will think of their writing. Although you’ve probably read a ton of novels and could easily imitate the styles of your favorite authors, your writing journey is all about finding your voice and who you are.
It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of “no-one will understand my thoughts or the way I write” but the truth is, the right audience will always get it.
Use a Personal Experience
If you’re struggling to start writing a new piece, your personal experience will be your best friend. Our lived moments provide us with great stories to tell and, because it’s a significant part of you, you know the details and senses that surround each tale. This can help make your writing more fine-tuned and help you explore a ton of vocabulary and phrases that have been locked away.
Read, Read, and Read Some More!
If you want to learn a new language, you’ll often hear people telling you to watch TV series in that language and surround yourself with it as much as possible.
It’s the same with words.
If you want to expand your vocab, open up your mind to phenomenal storylines, master character development, you’ll want to expose yourself to as many pieces of literature as possible.
Stephen King once said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write”. You want to subconsciously build your knowledge on specific book genres and styles which will have a huge part to play in what you put down on paper.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be a Lord of the Rings sized novel! If you don’t find yourself with much time to read, you can even invest in audiobooks for those long car journeys or lighter reads like magazines.
Create a Comfortable Writing Environment
Your surroundings can make a huge difference to what you end up writing. You’ll want as few distractions as possible, a plug for your laptop, a comfy seat and perhaps an endless supply of coffee!
Even a cozy coffee shop should do the job. The aim is to really get you into your writing zone and set the perfect mood for all the ideas to come to life.
Sound hack: Listening to a form of white noise can help you focus more and boost productivity because it cancels out any interrupting noises to help you concentrate for longer.
Practice Writing Daily
Every day, without fail, set aside some time to write no matter how short that time may be. Making writing a part of your daily routine will increase your ability to write better and with more creativity.
This is also a great way to help you overcome any frustrations with getting pen onto paper and reduces the act of ‘writer’s block’ because you’ll be in that constant rhythm of writing something every single day.
Whether it’s journaling your day, expressing an emotion you felt, or contributing to your first self-published piece, small and consistent acts of writing will pay off massively in the long run.
Consider a Writing Course
If you’re looking for that extra bit of guidance in the beginning, creative writing courses are a perfect route to go down in those early days.
Writing courses are structured classes that offer writing exercises and techniques to help develop your skills. It’s a great way to be held accountable for your work as well as getting familiar with writing on a constant basis.
Taking a course can teach you all the writing skills you didn’t learn in school, equip you with the knowledge to write for a living, and get you on the right track to publishing your work. Here’s a list of online writing courses we’d recommend!
Keep it simple
When you’re starting out, it’s easy to get caught up in trying to use fancy words and complex sentences. However, this can make your writing difficult to read and understand. Instead, try to keep your writing simple and straightforward and even utilize plain language and short sentences to get your point across well.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Feedback
Getting feedback from others is a great way to improve your writing. Ask someone you trust, such as a friend or family member, to read your work and provide feedback. Take their comments on board and use them to improve your writing.
Although it can be overwhelming at first for someone to read your work, it gives you a great insight into how to take on both criticism and compliments when you finally publish your writing to the world!
Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: Summary
Writing is a powerful tool that can help you communicate your ideas and express your creativity. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, there are always tips and tricks to help improve your craft. In this article, we’ve explored some of the best writing tips for beginners to help you get started on your writing journey. You can also read this article for more advanced writing tips.
You’ve got this and, as always, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Happy Writing!
