I have recently had a few friends and friends of friends jump into writing, falling in love with storytelling, and the process of getting words on page. It’s been wonderful to see. It’s also made me realize that there is still a lot of confusion out there about how the process works. So here are a few tips and information based on those conversations with people just starting out.
1. Yes, you do need to finish it.
It’s intoxicating to have the idea and start it. You know how amazing this is. If only someone would just pay you for the idea, you’d finish it easily! Well, unfortunately for most writers, you need to be established before someone will take your word on that. The hardest part of writing is finishing.
2. Do not pay someone to publish you.
You do not need to give someone money to publish your work. If you want to hire an editor to polish your work, then go for it. But if someone says, ‘give me 5000$ and I will get your novel published!’ then don’t take them up on it. Yes, you will probably end up with a book, but you’ll be out a ton of money for no good reason.
3. Read.
Some writers don’t like to read in the genre they’re writing in while they are in the process of writing a first draft, and that’s fair. BUT if you never read in the genre you’re writing in, you are missing out on a ton of information. Your brilliant ‘I’m going to write a romance that ends SAD’ is not going to be the shocking, never-done-before twist you think it is. Read other books.
4. Where do I even begin?
It can be overwhelming. The first step is usually to start writing, but after that there’s a whole lot of question marks because what comes after that?? Usually editing and then finishing, but with every project so different, who knows? If you are looking for places to talk to other people, I always suggest starting with your local library if possible. A lot of libraries have writing groups. If not, look around online. You can look for groups specific to your genre (SFWA, Sisters in Crime, etc.) and see if there are any in-person or online meetings you can join in on.
5. FINISH IT
Ok, I had to put this one twice because this is seriously the thing I have had to say the most. The hardest part of creating is finishing the projects you start. I have a graveyard of unfinished projects because I constantly chased after the next shiny idea instead of just finishing the one I had. But you learn best by finishing something. You also build your confidence and trust in yourself that you CAN finish these projects. It’s easy to start something new over and over again, but it’s in reaching the end that you really learn.
Those are the things I’ve been coming back to for new creatives, but what about you? What kind of tips do you all have?