Every time you read a book or a story we like, I bet you wish you could write one yourself. You are not alone. Joseph Epstein, an American writer, notes, “81 percent of Americans feel that they have a book in them — and should write it.” That’s more than 200 million people.
Easier said than done. Having a strong passion for writing is brilliant, but it’s not enough. Writing is a skill, and it takes a lot of training, perseverance, and learning to hone that skill so as to write confidently. Whether you want to make it your pastime or to make a living, follow this guide to develop a plan and follow it rigorously.
Table of Contents
Find your niche
This is your starting point. Do some deep research on all the options available to you. Depending on your interests and skill-set, identify an area or areas you want to focus on. This is as much about picking a genre as it is choosing a range of topics.
Once you’ve made a choice about your niche, don’t put it off. Remember that practice makes perfect, so the earlier you start, the better.
Write often
Writing is pretty much like photography or pianism. You need to take lots of photos and play long hours to hone and perfect your skill. Similarly, you need to write a lot to find your unique style.
Develop a habit of writing for several hours a day. If you aspire to become a professional writer planning to provide freelance writing services to students, go to Lets Grade It to find out what criteria professional reviewers use to assess the reliability of online writing services.
Read often
You also need to read a lot. Pick your favorite authors and ensure you carve out a couple of hours for reading their works, blogs, or reviews on a daily basis. Treat this as a major learning process, which will have both direct and indirect effects on your writing capacity. Over time, you will notice that your stock of words becomes more diverse and your style – more engaging.
Keep observing
As a writer, you need to become a keen observer. Great writers have a sharp eye for detail. And it does not matter whether you are a freelance writer or a belles-lettres guru; observation is a much-needed skill for all.
Train yourself to pick up even the tiniest, minute, or insignificant trifles. Notice what is missed by others. Treat your observations as essential nutrients for your writing.
Learning log
A good writer is one who considers himself or herself a student, a perennial one. There is no limit to how much you can learn. Every new finding, a clever phrase, a catchy metaphor, or a perfect simile is a drop in the ocean of learning. Keep recording them in a separate notebook.
Choose a friend or friends whom you trust and ask them to review and critique your writing. Their honest feedback will be invaluable in brushing up your craft.
Putting Pen To Paper
Writing is a lot of fun. It can also become a good source of income. Whatever your niche, don’t put it off and start today. Don’t be afraid of setbacks or writer’s block. Keep practicing your skills, stay true to your style, and make the most of all the learning you can derive from your own works as well as from the works of other, more experienced authors.
Eric Wyatt has served on a number of writing contest selection committees. He is a consummate professional writer himself, and he has provided numerous reviews of newly published books. Eric has been covering a broad range of topics with his reviews, including literature, linguistics, science, college education, and many others.
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