How to Become a Writer
If you want to communicate your thoughts and realizations, then you may want to be a writer. You can write a script, a news article, an editorial, a song, a poem, a short story or a novel. You can reach out to people through your words, become immortalized on a sheet of paper. If you think you are capable of doing this, but you don’t know where to start, here are some tips to follow to become a writer:
Call yourself A “Writer”
If you don’t believe that you are a writer, then you can never be a writer. Claim you’re a good writer to keep yourself motivated. You’ve heard these lines before: “I am a teacher but really I want to write,” or “What I really want to do for a living is writing. It’s my dream job.” These people don’t call themselves writers.
You can give yourself different names. You can be a telemarketer, a lawyer, a father, a son or a best friend. You call yourself a name to identify yourself. Announcing to everyone that you are a writer will help you transform into one. Make sure that you are serious about being a writer, so practice what you preach as you start introducing yourself as one.
You may think that you don’t have the right to tell people that you are a writer because you haven’t published anything yet. Publishing does not define being a writer. Try introducing yourself to other people as a writer and you will find out that they don’t really ask you about the books you have published. Everyone knows that some of the people who write the best have a hard time getting published.
Many writers are still paid for their work even if they don’t have a published book. After all, getting published is not the ultimate goal of being a writer. Writing is a profession, and it means that you have to be making money as you write. Getting some recognition and validation, like fame and notoriety, is good, but is not required. You write not only to be famous; you do it because you think it’s what you’re meant for.
Make Sure You Write
Look for a spot where you will do most of your writing. Make sure that the spot is conducive for writing. The atmosphere should allow you to focus on whatever you’re writing. If you can’t find a spot, then create one. Customize it all you want and decorate it with anything that will help you write better. You can add flowers, a lamp or scented candles. You can take up just a section of a room and turn it into a small studio where you will spend your silent moments for writing. After all, all that you need to get you to write is a table where you will put your pen, paper, or computer. Claim the spot just as you claim yourself as writer.
Gather the things you need. Purchase your favorite pens and the best kind of notebook or paper for you. Buy the laptop of your dreams. Get all the important tools you need to keep you inspired. A printer that works well is also important because it can make you feel like a professional once it prints your work in a neat and presentable manner.
Get to know other writers. Open mike nights, book signings and readings are good to attend. Communicate with other writers and establish a connection. It is important to build a network to invest in. Someday, your fellow writers can help you. If you admire the work of one writer, make it a point to drop a note to let the writer know that you love their book or article. Just make sure that you don’t sound like a fan. The note of admiration should sound like one coming from a writer admiring another writer.
The most effective way of practicing how to write is to read. As a writer, you don’t end with writing. You have to read others’ works, too, to know the style of your favorite authors. You can study the rhythm of great writers and see why their books sell. Read to know other writers’ secrets and techniques.
Lastly, write. Don’t hold anything back, and let your creative juices flow. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll surely end up as a successful and content, proud of your literary masterpieces. Good luck!