Tips on becoming a writer

And you really want to be a writer?

You love words. You have the knowledge of the written words and at least the basic rules of the English language.

In today's world we can't get away from the Internet. We use it in networking, social media, and importantly, we use research online to extract information faster.  Having said this, I assume you already own a computer, or at least plan to have one soon if you are truly serious about freelance writing.

What to do to become a writer

Create your own writing space anywhere suitable at home

This is self-explanatory.  Set up your own home office. It can be a small portion of your home, provided it's mainly for your writing corner. Aside from your pen and paper, you'll need a workplace all your own - your computer work "station", a place where you keep your supplies, file research notes, reference books, and a comfortable place health-wise. (I'm talking about proper chair, correct working position, light, and all that.) Depending on your family situation, if you can manage having your own work room, the better. What's important is that your family or loved ones are made aware of your working space and time, and that they respect them.

Learn more about writing from writing magazines

Newsstands or newsagents, and bookstores like Borders, Barnes and Noble, and your local bookstores  often sell a number of specialty magazines. Look for writing magazines. Publications usually  cover people, hobbies & crafts, fashion, travel, music, science & technology, inventions, health and sports. You may be surprised to see other topics you haven't thought about.

Get a copy of Writer's Market

The Writer's Market provides lists of thousands of book and magazine markets and in numerous categories. You'll find addresses of magazines, along with information about how to submit to those markets, the rights your manuscripts are purchased, how much they pay, and contacts.  Writer's Market is available at Amazon.com or most bookstores. Try to get the latest version. Some publishers offer sample copies of publications. Ask for these freebies that come handy as you start to take note and collect your own list of potential market.

Plan your writing schedule and avoid being easily distracted

Discipline your writing habits. You alone can do it. I know, it's a challenge not to succumb to distractions or to say no to phone calls or not to respond to tempting emails. One of the challenges of any writer is the temptation to shove writing to the bottom of our to-do list once we tidy up our work station or desk. The danger is getting back where we left off: to write, in the first place!

Create your Writer's Bookshelf

No matter how basic it may seem, have your own writer's bookshelf. As far as I know, all my fellow writer-friends have their own niche writer's bookshelf. Over time, you'll most likely collect more writing, increasing on reference materials and other books you'll need. Try to provide your own database early on to keep tab of your library. Microsoft Excel is a good start. I used Microsoft Access to build my database for almost all my niche topics. Otherwise, you can use any other database software you are comfortable with. Others improvise manually, like using index cards.

On top your reference materials are your dictionary, Thesaurus, English Usage, including appropriated dictionaries of your niche topics you'll be writing about - for example, biographical dictionary, medical dictionary, dictionary of literature, dictionary of business, music dictionary, etc... Also, writers often have the handy small book The Elements of Style by Strunk Jr.and White beside them.

Use the Internet for your research and information needs

Information is a click away yet can overwhelm with gazillion of materials online. Learn how to use the search engines properly. The most common ones are Google, Yahoo! and Bing. If properly used, the Internet is a great source of contacts, information you need, market connections, social network, and many more just at your fingertips. Likewise, ensure you are aware  of online security to protect yourself from spam, phish, and other frauds. Certainly, you don't want your identity stolen.  Therefore never divulge your critical personal information unnecessarily.

Simply write

All the preceding tips are pointless if you don't write. That's where discipline becomes vital: it's almost like forget all the discords around you, but just write. This is most likely over stressing the obvious. Truly, it means using your pen or keyboard when you'd rather do anything else except write. (Believe me!) One of my lifelong passions has always been reading. I used to read a lot of books about writing believing that this could make me a much better writer, except, I was almost overlooking to write. Reading those self-help writing books greatly provides assistance in shaping us in becoming a writer, but they should never replace the act of writing itself.

There are other tips that can be added to this list, but these are the ones that easily came to mind.



(c) 2013-2018. Tel Asiado. Leaves from my Musings. All rights reserved.