Creative writing is often seen as a luxury that only the wealthy can afford, but that is far from true. Thanks to the rise of the self-publishing industry, anyone can now produce a book and try their hand at writing a novel. If you’re looking to get your feet wet and see what all the fuss is about, then this article is for you. Here we’ll explore some of the basics of creative writing, including how to get started and what resources to use.
Get Inspired
Just like with any other creative process, getting inspired is the key to writing a successful novel. You don’t need to be limited by what you know or think you know, but instead can take a peak into the world of surfing through fiction and non-fiction books, watching films, and hanging out with friends. Essentially, you want to experience as much as you can and then let your imagination run wild.
Organize Your Thoughts
Once you’ve got your inspiration, it’s time to organize your thoughts and turn them into something literary. The best way to do this is by writing down your ideas and then shaping them into a complete story, or novel. A great way to start is by brainstorming. Once you’ve got a few paragraphs or pages of ideas down, either in print or on a notepad, you can start to flesh out the details and plot. Don’t worry too much about the technical aspects of creative writing—you can always get help from an academic or literary expert if you need some inspiration.
Have A Goal In Mind
Setting a goal is an important part of any journey towards creative writing success. Without some kind of goal in mind, you’re unlikely to ever get anywhere, no matter how talented or passionate you are. However, it’s important to note that becoming a skilled writer takes some time. Depending on your preferred genre, there will be certain technical and stylistic requirements that you must learn. For example, if you want to write a historical fiction novel, you’ll need to know all about the period and research various historic events and places. This isn’t a goal to rush into writing a novel and hoping it will be commercial or popular – that is the wrong approach and will only lead to disappointment. Instead, take your time to develop your writing craft and then iterate on your ideas until you hit on something that will compel readers to turn the last page.
Put Yourself In The Story
One of the most prominent guidelines in creative writing is to put yourself in the story. This is easier said than done, but it’s an essential part of the process. If you’re writing a story about the Millennials, for example, you’d better believe that you’re going to learn a lot from this group of people and see the world through their eyes. This doesn’t mean that you need to join a Millennial club or follow their every move, but instead you should listen carefully to their voices and try to see the world through their eyes as much as you can. Essentially, if you want to write a good story, you need to become one – even if it’s for a single sentence – with the characters in the tale. This way, when you write the ending, you’ll feel as though you’re genuinely communicating with your readers and not just using them as a source of inspiration.
Find Your Niche
If you’re looking to write for a general audience, it is important to find a niche. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should only write for a specific group of people or genre, but instead you should find a niche within the umbrella of literature that you explore. If you want to write historical fiction, for example, you might choose to focus on the French Revolution or the American Civil War, as opposed to writing about Celine Dion or Justin Bieber. The main thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t feel handcuffed by your choice of subject matter, but instead find inspiration in the form that you’re given. If you want to write a commercial fiction novel, for example, you might want to look into what types of characters and settings will grab the attention of readers. After all, that is the ultimate goal of any novel.
Develop Your Style
Developing your style is an important part of the creative writing process. This involves choosing your words wisely and using them effectively to create a sense of unity and consistency throughout your work. One way to develop your style is by reading and studying the work of established writers in your chosen field. Another great way to learn how to write is through journalism and blogging – watching how writers and journalists construct sentences and paragraphs will give you a great foundation to build upon. If you can get some published work to look at, even better – you can then begin to pull apart their structures and techniques, and apply them to your own writing.
Avoid Plagiarism
Plagiarism is one of the greatest enemies of any writer. This is mainly because it is so easy to copy and paste from one source to another without giving it proper credit. Even worse, in today’s world, it is incredibly easy to hide your plagiarism – including all sources – using software tools like CloneMyPaper and Turnitin. If you want to avoid being plagiarized, avoid using free public domain sources. Instead, find new and original sources of inspiration and then use them to construct your own work. If you’re worried about getting caught, then be sure to have a literary expert look over your work before you submit it for publication.
As you can see, there is a lot to think about when you want to write a novel. But don’t worry – if you start now, you’ll be able to develop your craft and be producing literary masterpieces in no time.