10 Writing Tips to jumpstart your writing projects

I am not a fan of talk shows, so I don’t purposely watch them or listen to them. But occasionally I catch snippets of the conversations. Recently, I overheard a conversation between a mother and the host of a talk show.

The mother said that when her child was in primary school, he was obsessed with drawing. He once drew a picture of a celebrity whom he had never met, and the resemblance was uncanny. However, when it was time for him to do the primary school exit test, she badgered him to study and forget about drawing.

She told him that there was no future in drawing (or something like that) and that he should focus on his lessons at school, which apparently could take him places where drawing couldn’t. He studied, went on to high school and probably beyond, (I missed that bit) and has never touched a pencil again.

This child clearly had talent which could have been nurtured. His mother gave him one choice. He had to walk the academic path. She now regrets her actions. At the time, she did not realise that her child could have more than one interest. He could have been an artist while he pursued a “traditional” career. So, she crushed his dream and tossed it in a pile of knick-knacks that she considered useless at the time.

Don’t let go of your dream of being a writer!

This conversation caused me to think about persons who have a talent for writing and have had their dream crushed when they shared their idea about being a writer (not their writing) with an audience. Since their significant others – a parent, a relative, a friend – didn’t believe in their dreams, why should they? they asked themselves.

How many of you believe you have a talent for writing but someone near and dear keeps shooting it down by scoffing at it whenever you mention it and you have taken their words to heart and have stopped trying? If you are one of these people who have had their dream of being a writer crushed, this article is going to show you how to take charge of your writing journey, in spite of the advice of the naysayers.

Take action to make your dream of being a writer a reality!

Instead of giving up on your dream of being a writer, try to make it a reality by doing the following:

• Believe that you have the potential to write something that will interest some people. If you don’t believe in yourself, the first criticism about your writing that you get will cause you to quit your journey. I had a student who wrote her autobiography before she was in fourth form. She led an intriguing life. She tore it up before she was in fifth form because she thought it was no good. She did not believe that she was a good writer, and significant others had confirmed her belief. She was an excellent student of language and literature and her grades in the external exams proved that. That gave her the confidence to seek a career that focuses on enhancing the reading and writing ability of her charges.

• Know that when you write, you are not writing for everybody. Not everybody has the same interests. Some people are interested in self-help books, some in inspirational books, some in fantasy, some in thrillers, some in erotica…A few people may be interested in all genres, but most have their distinct preference/s. Choose your genre and write, knowing that what you write will not be everybody’s cuppa. But those who are interested will find it, if you find ways to get it to them.

• Seek help by attending writing classes.

• Create a writers' support group with other budding writers you know. Or, if you hear of one such group, join the sessions. There, you’ll get the chance to share your work and get feedback, some good and some not so good. The aim is to use this feedback to improve your writing.

• Submit your work to competitions. You may not win the competition or get an ‘honourable mention’ but having it accepted and read is a win; somebody has seen your work. Keep sharing it on whatever platforms you choose to use.

• Read. The best writers are avid readers. Among the many benefits of reading is learning how words are arranged on the page to create meaning i.e. how the writer shares an idea.

• Practice writing. Keep a journal. Write your thoughts that are begging to be written. These could be in the form of short stories, poems, books, plays, films, articles…

• Use your life experiences in your writing. If you want to write and don’t know what to write, start looking for inspiration within. Much has happened to you in your life so far. Be the hero on your own journey. Write your memoir. Write a biography of a parent or relative who has made what you consider to be a significant impact in the private or the public space.…

• Make time to write. You never know what is in your writing future unless you get your story out of your head and on to the page. Toni Morrison wrote her first novel, The Bluest Eyes, “by getting up every morning at 4 am to write, while raising two children on her own” [and doing a regular job].

• After you have written, seek the services of a good editor. Editors can do miracles with your writing, if you need such miracles.

If you start following the tips suggested above, you will be taking charge of your writing journey with the aim of enhancing your communication in writing.

About the Author

Janette B. Fuller is a ghost writer and author of four books. 

When you are ready to write your story and/or after you have written your story, make contact with her at writingwisdomtree@gmail.com. She'll help you write your best story by helping you arrange your thoughts and/or edit your work. Check out her books here.