Creative writing is a genre of writing in which you use your imagination to generate original stories that can be either fictional or non-fictional. Sometimes referred to as “fiction in general,” creative writing can include everything from journalism to biography to memoirs. It can also be used to describe the transformative art that results from an individual’s engagement with creative writing – whether they choose to write fiction or non-fiction.
If you’re interested in starting your own creative writing journey but aren’t quite sure where to begin, worry not. We’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will discuss how to start creative writing so that you can develop your skills and become a successful author.
Let’s get started.
Set A Time
It’s vital that you set yourself a time to write each day, regardless of whether you’ve got a lot on your mind or not. Sometimes we get so absorbed in everyday life that we neglect to set aside some quiet time to focus on our writing. In order to become a successful creative writer, you need to learn how to prioritize your time and effort. One way of doing this is by committing to writing everyday for a set amount of time. If you’ve got a morning commute, maybe you could work on your masterpiece while commuting. Or, if you’ve got a lot of free time during the week, you could consider doing some freelance writing or making some money online with affiliate marketing. There are plenty of opportunities out there if you’re looking for ways to make a decent living as a creative writer – it just depends on how serious you are about becoming a writer and how dedicated you are to producing quality work. If this is something that interests you, take a look at the online creative writing directories to see what’s available and to get started. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable and skilled writer, then consider looking for job opportunities that allow for some flexibility with your hours. Being a full-time, on-demand writer can be very lucrative, especially if you can prove yourself to be a consistent and productive writer. This, of course, assumes that you’re charging a fair rate for your work. Don’t just go with the first offer you receive – negotiate a better deal or take a job that suits you closer to your heart.
Choose A Niche
Niche is a verb that is used quite often in the context of marketing and sales. Essentially, when someone chooses or is assigned a niche, it means that they specialize in a particular area or field. When you choose a niche, you are selecting a specific area of expertise that you will use to write on. There are plenty of niches out there – each one having its own sub-genres and followers. Some examples of niche topics include:
- Fashion
- Health
- Technology
- Finance
- Politics
- Arts
- Athletics
- Military
By narrowing your focus to a specific area, you will be able to establish expertise and credibility. This, in turn, will make you more attractive to potential publishers, agents, and investors. When you first choose a niche, it can be a little overwhelming. Consider what you’re interested in writing about and pick a topic that you feel confident enough in. Once you’ve established a small following, consider looking for inspiration in a similar niche or in a completely different area.
Find Your Voice
This is one of the most important elements of writing a compelling story and it can be a challenge to find the right tone for your stories. You want to find a voice that is authentic and natural yet also something that your readers can relate to. Once you’ve found it, don’t be afraid to use it. Authentic voices can be challenging to find in the beginning. Once you’ve found it, it will be easier to use it consistently. Try reading your work aloud to determine whether or not you’re speaking in a way that is understandable to your target audience. If you’re speaking in a way that is similar to how you speak in real life, this will make your work eminently more relatable to your readers. In addition to speaking and listening for comprehension, try reading your work aloud in a neutral voice. This will allow you to hear any clichés or lack of authenticity that you might have in your work. An easy way to improve the quality of your work is to simply rewrite the sentences you’ve written a few times. Doing this will help you identify any awkward constructions or words that are not in keeping with the overall tone of your piece. When you’re comfortable with how your work sounds, begin formulating your ideas into well-written sentences.
Get The Right Equipment
There are plenty of resources available to writers that want to get started. One of the most important things that you will need is a proper writing kit. A writing kit includes the following:
- A computer or notebook
- A printer
- A drafting tool
- Some good pens
- Eraser
- Stickers, paper, and a place to store all of this
Even if you’re not a seasoned writer, it’s likely that you’ve got a laptop or desktop computer at home. These are the same devices that you use to check your email, browse the internet, and do any number of things. If you’ve got a reliable machine, consider using it to write on. If not, then you’ll have to purchase one to use for creative writing. Another important thing to have is a quiet space. This can be anywhere that is comfortable for you and equipped with the proper lighting. It might be nice to have a separate room for writing so that you can retreat to whenever you need. Alternatively, you could use the dining table or a spare bedroom.
Create A Routine
Writing is an activity that can be done at any time, however, it is most effective and least stressful when done regularly. Having a routine will help you establish a consistent writing schedule. The key is to find one that works best for you. A routine can be something as simple as getting up an hour earlier than you normally would so that you have time to work or it could be setting aside some specific hours each week that you write. Whatever it is, something that you’ve found to be helpful is legitimate and you should feel confident enough to try it. Many successful authors and bloggers write everyday – some even producing content multiple times a day. You’ll want to find a way of establishing yourself as a reliable and consistent writer before you begin looking for opportunities.
There are many different ways of getting started with creative writing. Whether you want to write a novel, story, or short-articles, there is certainly a way for you to start that doesn’t feel like a chore. In order to become a successful author, you need to find a way to enjoy the process and stick with it. Above all else, never feel bad about not knowing where to begin – there is always somewhere. And, while you’re at it, why not try and impress some of your friends and family with your newly discovered hobby? Who knows – maybe they’ll even think that you’ve found a way to express yourself creatively and find your voice.