Eight Tips for the Aspiring Writer

The following was written in response to a question I received on an earlier post: 

The following are eight tips I can share with an aspiring writer:

 1. Keep a daily journal. By writing on a daily basis an aspiring writer can only improve and strengthen her writing skills. Plus, through writing in the journal as a daily habit, a writer will discover her true voice. Through journal writing, the aspiring writer will make writing a daily habit rather than one to be indulged in whenever the urge strikes.

 2. As aspiring writer should take a basic grammar class at the local community college. Any writer who wants to be taken seriously will understand that strong writing is as grammatically error-free as possible.

 3. Read, read, and read some more. An aspiring writer will saturate her brain with all the written material she can get hold of.

 4. The aspiring writer should look at the written material that she is reading as a source of study. While she is reading she will pay particular attention to the way other authors have worded sentences, created characters, setting, plot, tension, and all the other elements that make strong stories. It is not a bad idea to keep a separate journal for each story or novel that is read. In this journal, the aspiring writer will note the strong elements of the story and/or novel. By trusting the journal rather than the brain to remember all this, the aspiring writer will reinforce all she is learning as she strengthens her writing skills.

 5. When the aspiring writer goes to the movie theater or watches a movie at home, the writing journal, which was suggested in the above tip (Tip #4), should be utilized in much the same way as was suggested in number 4. While watching the movie at home, the aspiring writer should have the writing journal open and ready for note taking. For example, how does the movie open? Who are the main characters, the foes, and the minor characters? What is the setting, etc.? When watching the movie at the theater, the aspiring writer will pay attention to these elements and when she gets home, she should write a page, attempting to analyze what happened. (The different elements will be discussed in more detail in additional blogs.)

 6. The aspiring writer should join a writer’s group. The aspiring writer will be inspired to write additional pieces and will receive feedback on what she has written. The aspiring writer will also learn the importance of meeting writing deadlines. Through the writer’s group, the aspiring writer will participate in issues pertinent to writers and will learn how to give and receive constructive criticism.

 7. The aspiring writer should trust the members of the writer’s group. They are the ones who are truly interested in what the aspiring writer has written and know how to give constructive feedback; in more cases than not, they have been educated in the writing field and have earned a degree – or two. With this said, it is equally important for the aspiring writer to be wary of whom else she asks to read and give her feedback on her work. For example, a family member or a close friend may say, “It’s good,” and leave it at that. These people either don’t know how to provide feedback or they don’t want to hurt the aspiring writer’s feelings so rather than say something that may be misconstrued, they say little.

 8. The aspiring writer should be as involved as possible with the writing field: read writing magazines and books written to help the aspiring writer improve; go to various coffee shops, bookstores, or other places where writers are reading their works; find places where local writers are showcasing their work and provide support.