Being a writer at any stage means you’re full of questions that must be answered. And sometimes these questions have do to with the thing that fuels that our curiosity. I thought about some of the most common writing questions I’ve heard and then I asked around for more questions people might have, and this what I came up with.
Can Anyone Be A Writer?
Being a writer is definitely not something that you wake up one day and are all the sudden really good at it. I think rather than asking if anyone can be a writer, the question should be “Do I have motivation to be a writer?”
A writer is defined as someone who writes consistently, even if they don’t necessarily publish their work. (Although most writers do.)
How Do You Become A Writer?
Sit down. Put words on a page. It’s that simple.
You have to make and effort to sit down and write on a consistent basis. This is what makes you a writer, even if you don’t publishing anything for 20 years.
When first decide to write putting your hind-end in a chair and writing out some words is so hard, because it almost feels like you are being lazy. However you are most certainly not. Creativity does not equal laziness.
There will be days when you aren’t motivated to write. When this this happens you have to say to yourself, “Butt in the chair. Write the words.”
Should I Enter Writing Contests?
Yes! Writing contests are great way to practice your skills and gain experience. Try to stay away from contests that require an entry fee, especially if you have limited funds.
A great writing contest for beginning writers is the 53 word story contest run by Prime Number Magazine.
Sometime in the future, I would also like to hold a writing contest on this website, so watch for details.
Should I Invest In Writing Software?
There are some writers out there who swear by software like Scrivener, but I’ve never used writing software. Instead I’ve written on my computer’s office application for years, because it was free. (It’s the limited funds thing again.)
If you feel like software is the right option for you, then by all means, try it out, but you don’t have to use it.
What Should I Write About?
Only you can answer that question. Think about what fascinates or inspires you, and then write about that.
You can let your imagination run wild and just write where ever it takes you. For example, if you’ve always been fascinated by The Wild West, write a story with that as your setting.
Where Do You Get Ideas?
This is a question that gets posed to almost every writer in existence, and every writer has a different answer.
For me, there’s not one single source for my ideas. They come dreams, life events, conversations, reading, watching TV.
I Have Always Wanted To Write A Children’s Book. Do You Have Experience With That?
I have never written a children’s book, but I have thought about it. Someday I think I might want to try to actually write a book for children. (I have an idea, but it’s something I will have to work on, a lot.)
If you want to learn more about writing for children, check out https://journeytokidlit.com/. This website is full of resources that will help you put together a great children’s book.
What Are Good Reasons For Wanting To Become A Writer?
This something that is discussed in a lot in writing books. Often, they list good and bad reasons for wanting to be a writer. But the best and most important reason that every writer should have for wanting to write, is a love of stories and sharing them with other people.
If you don’t, then writing isn’t the career path for you.
Do Writers Make A Lot Of Money?
Most published writers make a little bit of money. However, don’t expect to be pulling in six figures from your book. Typically, the writers who are able to do that are big, household names such as John Grisham or many of the other famous authors you see all over the place.
For those of us who don’t rake in cash like that, it is still possible to support yourself from writing, however you will not be able to do it right away.
How Can I Start Publishing My Own Work?
All writers dream of a by-line or seeing their name on the cover of a book. But, getting there is not going to be a short day-trip. In fact, it’s more of a long-haul, cross-country kind of trip.
First, you need a piece that shows your absolute best work. Next, you need to have an idea of how to want to publish it, some of your options include posting on your blog or sending it in to a magazine or website.
If you plan on sending it in for publication, do some research on the place where you plan on sending your work so you can make sure that it is the best fit for your work.
Here is a link to an article I wrote about publishing: https://www.theteenmagazine.com/how-to-get-your-writing-published-as-a-new-writer
Should I Participate In NaNoWriMo?
NaNoWriMo, (full name National Novel Writing Month), is annual writing challenge that takes place in November where writers from all over the world attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. (Those crazy writers as if there heads weren’t already full of enough stuff.)
I participated in NaNoWriMo for the first time two years ago and I had a lot of fun. I only made it to 30,000 words due to a family emergency halfway through the month, but that’s way more than I’ve ever written before in that amount of time.
Honestly, I think that NaNoWriMo is a great idea for those of us who need a kick in the pants sometimes or if you just want to write with a community.
If you’re not sure that you can commit to 50,000 words in a month, the NaNoWriMo organization also hosts Camp Nano in April and July. During both camps you can set your own word goals, so there’s less pressure.
What Resources Are There For Beginning Writers?
There are so many great place to get information becoming a writer. One of the first ones I stumbled on when I was 15, is http://blog.janicehardy.com/. This website is where I first started learning the craft of writing and it helped me get on the right track. (Pun absolutely intended.)
Another great resource is Abbie Emmons on YouTube. She has a lot of really helpful videos on a variety of writerly topics.
What Should I Know Before I Start Writing?
Writing is not easy. It is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Writing takes time, patience, and a certain amount of stubbornness. You can’t be afraid of people not liking you or your work.
Most of all, you have to believe you can do it. If you don’t, then there is no point in trying.
Final Thoughts
Being a writer is not an easy career path, but it is a wonderful one. If you decide to embark on it, I wish you the best.
