So, you’ve been bitten by the writing bug but are unsure how to keep it going? Are you creative and enjoy writing? Do you already write on occasion and want to improve your skills? Would you like to make a career out of writing? Whatever your interest may be, writing can be a great way to work through thoughts, ideas, and emotions, build a career, and enhance your life. I realized I liked writing when I was in Grade 9. I had to write a short story for English class and was surprised at how fun it was to craft a whole story on my own. Later on, I started writing a blog about my experience in life and have expanded my love of writing into a freelance career.
What do you want to write?
Perhaps you already have an idea of what you want to write. There are so many options! You could write short stories, poetry, a novel, a blog, articles, or press releases. The options are endless! If you aren’t sure where to get started and want to practice writing, start with a journal. Write about your day. Write about your interests. You could choose to write daily just for 10 minutes and suddenly you’re a writer! You could also look up writing prompts if you aren’t sure what to write about. The internet is full of creative writing prompts. Start using prompts as inspiration and soon enough your creativity will be flowing, and you’ll be coming up with your own awesome ideas!
Practice!
Practice is key for improving at anything. Writing is no exception. Even the most seasoned writers practice their crafts. You could practice writing in different styles to find your unique voice. You don’t have to carry around a laptop all of the time either. You could write in a journal and have it with you in case you become inspired. Perhaps what you find will surprise you! By practicing new styles of writing, I discovered I love writing blog posts. I never would have figured that out if I hadn’t tried it. So, try new things, experiment, and keep writing!
Join a Group
Finding a community of writers to join is a great way to stay motivated. You’ll be able to bounce ideas off your fellow writers, meet people just like you, learn new skills from more experienced members, and feel like you are part of a community. Writing can sometimes be a lonely activity and joining a group can help prevent that. Facebook is a great place to find writing communities of all kinds. You can also look up local meet-up groups.
Take a Class
A great way to improve your skills and network is to take a writing class! There are tons of writing courses out there. You could take a general writing course, grammar and language courses, creative writing courses, poetry courses, romance writing courses, etc. Take a look at your local college’s course offerings or see what you can find online.
When you’re just getting started as a fresh new writer, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to have fun! It doesn’t matter if you don’t like what you come up with at first. Try new things, experiment, learn new skills, and have a great time doing it!
Laura Bradley 