Writing with your left hand is no longer the exclusive property of secret agents, spies, and cab drivers – anyone can do it! Though it may feel a little awkward at first, once you get the hang of it, writing with your left hand not only offers a whole new perspective on stories, but also opens up whole new genres to you. Here are some tips on how to learn to write with your left hand and unleash its hidden potential!
Read, Read, And Read Some More
Before you start writing with your left hand, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the conventions and technical terms used by writers in the English-speaking world. To this end, it’s advisable to read as much fiction and non-fiction as you can get your hands on, whether classics or more recent publications. Moreover, you should also familiarize yourself with the rules and approaches of the genres you plan on writing in – what might be considered the “alphabet of the novel” if you will. Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that no matter which hand you write with, everything you read should be applied to your own work in progress. This way, the feedback will be truly beneficial and not just beneficial compared to what you are used to receiving from your friends and colleagues.
Start Small
Whether you’re brand new to writing or you’ve been doing it for a while, it’s important to start small. Begin by writing a short story using only your right hand. Once you’ve established that you can capture the essence of a story in just a few thousand words, you can move on to a novella or even a short-novel using both hands. Though it may seem daunting at first, once you get the hang of it, writing in two hands not only provides you with a new perspective on your work, but it also allows you to experiment with different styles and approaches. Moreover, you can also use the other hand for pacing, organizing, and proofreading. This last part is especially important for established writers, as it prevents numerous spelling and grammatical errors that could otherwise slip past you. Established writers usually outsource the latter part of the writing process to professionals, so they can focus on the creative aspects – but even they can sometimes miss mistakes, especially when tired or distracted. Fortunately, a skilled copyeditor can easily and effectively take care of any lapses in punctuation, spelling, and usage. Simply put, if you want to be a good writer, start small, improve your craft little by little, and get help when you need it.
Join A Society Of Writers
As a writer, getting feedback on your work is essential – whether you’re a pro or an amateur. The problem is that unless you live in a big city, it can be hard to find people who are willing to give you honest opinions and helpful criticism. One way to easily find feedback is to join a society of writers. The great thing about these groups is that not only do they often have members who are willing to read your work and give you honest, detailed feedback (sometimes even suggesting ways to make your writing better), but they also frequently hold workshops, conferences, and other events where you can further develop your craft and meet other writers. Moreover, many societies organize readings and signings of their members’ work, which is a great way to get your name out there and start building a following. Ultimately, you should choose a society that represents the kind of work you’re interested in – whether it be adult fiction or non-fiction, literary fiction or science fiction, etc. – and that has members whose styles and approaches you admire. In this way, you will only benefit from the collective experience of the group and receive helpful feedback that will make your work better. Furthermore, you can also look for societies that have an open membership, so you can learn more about the craft and participate in the community. Ultimately, these are often the best kind of societies for budding writers to be a part of.
Don’t Be Fooled By Genre
You might be tempted to write fantasy or science fiction stories just because they’re popular right now – and you might even enjoy writing in those genres – but if you want to be a good writer, you should avoid doing so. The reason is that though it might be easy to write in the styles and formats of the genres you choose, it can be very difficult to develop your own voice and approach in those settings. Moreover, many fantasy and science fiction stories published today are terribly dull – the settings and surroundings are more important than the story itself, and those stories rarely offer enough action or suspense to keep the reader interested. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what genres you choose as long as you develop your own unique voice and approach in your storytelling – including when you use your hands to write. Though it might be tempting to write in the styles and formats of the greats who have gone before you, that is not a task you should take on unless you’re sure you can do it justice. Moreover, you should not feel pressured to fit into any particular mold – write what you want, when you want, and be as creative as you can be.
Whether you choose to write with your right or left hand, the important thing is that you choose one (or the other) and stick with it – you can switch back and forth between the two with little effort, and though it might feel a little awkward at first, you will soon find that having both hands on the keyboard allows you to write faster and more accurately than you ever could using just one hand. Moreover, when you do eventually settle on one handedness, you will find that it is the one you use more often that the other, and you will gradually develop a style and approach all your own (even if it takes you a while to figure it out). With practice, anyone can be a good writer – even if they use their hands in a different way than you are used to. And that is the great thing about writing – no matter who you are, what you do, or what circumstances you are in, you can always find a way to write. So, don’t be afraid to try something new – your story might just end up being the one that everyone else is talking about.