On the first anniversary of my first blog post, I decided to take a different approach from celebrating and instead share what I’ve learned so far about writing in general through these twelve months in crazy editing, short stories, essays, devotionals, submissions, and publishing. It was hard to limit myself, but I put together ten of the tips that have been most helpful for me. Here we go!
1: Just Write!
Write! Write every day, whether it’s in a journal or ongoing story projects. Nothing you write will ever go to waste in the end as it helps you practice and grow in your abilities.
2: Keep Your Mind Open
Notice details in the world and keep your eyes and ears open. Stories are all around you, even though you might not see them yet. Inspiration will strike in the most unexpected moments.
3: Trust Your Style
This was one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned so far from countless people. Chances are, you aren’t going to write in the same format as your favourite author. While people might say you have to plot every detail of a book before you start writing, you might prefer to have a vague idea at the start and let the story take off into amazing places you never imagined – and that’s okay! There’s no one right way to write. Everyone has a different process and a different way of telling a story – and that’s okay. Those differences are what make the writing world so exciting – there is always another unique perspective to discover.
4: Read!
Saying you’re a writer but not a reader is like saying you’re a chef but never eat. Study stories. Reading opens your eyes to new styles, new techniques, and new possibilities. Keep learning about the writing craft by reading blog posts, books, or asking teachers. Many authors have a page on their website dedicated to writing tips as well.
Be Teachable
Be teachable, willing to listen to criticism, and open to ideas. Being able to edit and look critically over your work is essential to being a good writer. Learn to read your work critically, asking questions like a reader: Does this make sense? Can I picture this scene clearly in my head?
Be Brave
Be brave: the first step towards publishing is often the scariest, but without it, you won’t get anywhere. Take a deep breath and ask a friend if they would like to help you edit (you never know if you don’t ask!). Try a different genre or style, a different timeframe. Challenge yourself to write something long if you usually write short, or something short if you write long. By pushing yourself, you discover your strengths and weaknesses as a writer to be even stronger for your next work.
9: Find A Group
Even when you think you’re the only writer in the world, there are others out there thinking the same thing as you! I am part of a writing group, and it opened me up to an incredibly helpful, supportive, and encouraging world of fellow writers I never knew were in my school community. Teachers especially love discovering writers and may be willing to connect you with others or start a group at a school.
9: Share Your Work
Share your work! Don’t be the only reader – what’s the point of writing if no one ever gets to read it? Be willing to let others read your work. Enter that contest, submit that short story, take those opportunities. You’ll be amazed at what can happen even when you start small.
10: Never Give Up!
NEVER GIVE UP. There is a lot of rejection in the writing world, but when you see your work in print for the first time, it is absolutely worth it.
That’s all for today, though I’m sure I will be sharing more tips as I go into my second year of posting. I hope these tips are as helpful for you on your writing journey as they have been for me!
Abby Ciona 