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Home arrow Browse All Articles arrow Feature Articles arrow 5 Things Every New Writer Should Know
5 Things Every New Writer Should Know Print E-mail
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Written by Helene Vance   
Sunday, 18 September 2005

Just starting out? The world of writing can be tough at times. Here is some helpful advice for the new or aspiring writer.

At first glance, the world of writing appears fabulous, exciting, and glamorous. New writers turn up everyday, looking for that big break that'll make them shine under bright lights. Are you one of these hopefuls? Most writers go through it - seeing themselves on television wearing a sharp designer suit, discussing the success of their writing career. It's every writer's dream! But there comes a time when each writer must wake up and enter the real world.

The reality of writing isn't all peaches. It's difficult to sit behind a desk and come up with nothing, thinking about the deadline slowly creeping up on you. And it's just as hard looking for the perfect gig when no one wants to hire you. There are far too many difficulties to discuss here. The truth is, there are many pains and sufferings in the business of writing.

So why do so many people want to become writers? Because it's challenging, exciting, and they just can't live without it. In the end, it's very rewarding to know that readers love your ideas and want more of it.

To get the ultimate sweet treat, writers must work hard and overcome barriers, letting nothing get in the way of success. Here are a few tips to keep on going when the going gets tough.

Writing takes a lot of work. As with any other job, you have your good days and bad days. Some days, you're able to write pages and pages of great stuff, and other days, you stare into a blank computer screen for hours. Writing takes dedication and effort - don't let anyone knock it. It's just as hard as other careers, if not harder. Everday, people are trained to use computers and follow procedures at their jobs. There is no exact method to writing, and no one will ever hand you a manual on how to perform your duties.

Writing is like art. As a matter of fact, writing is art. It takes effort and a lot of time to master your craft. You will find yourself writing, rewriting, editing, and re-editing. If it takes ten thousand edits to get it right, then that's what needs to be done! Remember, it takes practice, time, and skill to perfect the art of writing. And even when you think you've perfected it, you'll catch yourself learning and further developing as a writer.

Take time to write. If you're a writer with a full-time job or family responsibilities, you might want to give up writing to have time for other areas of your life. This is where many writers go downhill - A super-smash potential project goes down the tube. It is important to treat your writing, just as you treat your other responsibilities. Schedule in your writing into your daily life. It might mean giving up an hour of sleep or working through lunch, but make it a priority and it'll be a lot harder to slip.

Take writing to the next level. Writers grow and change over the course of their lives. After effortlessly working and trying to acheive your goal, you may have found some really great gigs. But are you tapping into your true potential? Your clients can become "repeat customers" to bring in more income. Don't limit yourself to what you know. Explore new areas of writing and learn the subjects you're interested in. Your current clients already trust you - pitch them something different for more work. Perhaps then you can cut your day job and become a full-time writer! The lesson here is, max out on your potential to become the best writer you can be.

Get excited. New writers have something special that seasoned writers don't have: excitement. Everything seems a hundred times better and more thrilling when it's new. You want to learn everything and jump into projects with energy. Throughout your writing career, keep that excitement to motivate you and take you through hard times. With that spirit, you can better yourself as a writer by constantly seeking to improve and master your craft.

So go ahead - dive into writing with passion. And if you stumble, get right back up.


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Written by helene
Tuesday, August 08 2006
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 July 2006 )
 
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