Tips for a Budding Writer
Marilyn Thipthorpe
We all know and hate that point when we get writers block. You’re searching for the right word or the appropriate opening sentence. Here are a few tips to follow if you are a budding writer.
1. Enjoy your work: Always appreciate your work no matter how trivial. Learn to enjoy what you’re doing and the words flow automatically.
2. Allow your story to end: As tempting as it might be to keep going or as hard as it might be to find a conclusion, let your story end. Find a place where you feel that its right to give it a rest. Better still before writing jot down notes of a beginning and end before you start.
3. Be patient: Not everything is going to come to you at once, accept that and wait. Being patient will make your work more clear and coherent.
4. Edit: Be a ferocious editor. Go over your work repeatedly, discard info that is not necessary and have multiple drafts so that you can select one that best suits the story line.
5. Write for Yourself: The main and most important tip her possibly. Write what you like and about things that interest you. If you write to please others, you will not have much to write about.
6. Workspace: There is no such thing as a specific place where you need to sit and write. In this day and age, jot down notes on your Smartphone, take a picture
that inspires a story, do something which relaxes you.
7. Observe: The firm base of all writing is to observe. Learn to perceive all around you, from the smallest ant to news on space. Be well read and well informed with the world around you. Keep your senses open to experiences.
8. Have Courage: DO NOT be afraid to take on a challenge, try writing about controversial topics. Don’t be afraid of sounding silly. Let your friends and families read your work and review it. Put yourself out there.
9. Practice to Summarize: This is essential if you want to be successful. Practice summarizing an article or a book. Find essential points and quotes that will add essence to the story.
10. Embrace Change: Try a change in scene and topics occasionally to bring a new, experimental change and variety in your work. You could try writing in the park, or on your way to work. Try writing on aliens and a flower.
Now that you have your tips in place, why don’t you take up that vessel of knowledge a.k.a your pen and put it to paper. Express yourself in as many words as you like.