Dear Everyone,

A number of readers have contacted me, asking if I have any suggestions for aspiring writers. I’m putting together a series of posts in order to do this and I invite your questions in the comments below.

But to begin, I have four suggestions for writers.

First, write daily.
Second, find someone you trust who will offer constructive criticism of your writing.
Third, be organized.
Fourth, save the space.

1.  Write daily

Whether writing is your hobby or your job, it’s important to write daily.  Writing daily enables you to develop the habit of writing. It also encourages discipline, perseverance, and time management.

Writer’s block can be a serious problem for this discipline and so I’ll address that in a subsequent post. But my first piece of advice to aspiring writers is to write and to write something every day.

2.  Find someone you trust who will offer constructive criticism of your writing

Every writer needs an editor. Every writer can improve. If you disagree with these two statements, I think you’ll find the practice of writing (and having your words read) difficult. But if you can accept the fact that we’re all human and we can all improve our writing, then hopefully, you’ll be open to receiving constructive criticism.

It’s important that you choose someone who you respect and trust to give you criticism. Then you’ll be more likely to accept their advice.

When you receive feedback on your writing, you will hear things you don’t want to hear. It’s possible you’ll disagree with your reader.  But if your goal is to be the best writer you can be, then you have to be open to suggestions for improvement. You may have to make changes in your writing – such as getting rid of bad habits, learning proper grammar, spelling, and style, and avoiding cliches. You may have to adjust the way you write in order to make things clearer for your reader. Over time, if you’re open to criticism, I think you’ll find that your writing will improve.

3.  Be organized

Writing a book is a large project. For any large project, you need to be organized.  Start a file or a series of files in which you can put your notes, outlines, research, and character descriptions.  Then when you need to look something up, you’ll know where to find it.

Be sure to back up your work consistently. Some writers do this by printing a hard copy of the manuscript and storing it off site, or by saving the files to a flash drive and storing it somewhere else. No matter how you do it, you want to be sure to have an extra copy of your manuscript somewhere safe. If something happens to your computer or your home, you’ll still have your manuscript.

4.  Save the space

Depending on your situation, you might not be able to have a space that is designated solely for writing. But even if you’re writing at the kitchen table, try to make your space as comfortable as possible. Keep the area organized and tidy so that you aren’t distracted.  If listening to music helps you shut out noise and interruptions, do it. Keep your research and notes in your writing space so that if you need them, they’re available. Don’t forget to include inspirational items such as paintings or artwork in your space. It’s amazing how beauty breeds beauty.

In the next few posts, I’ll answer some of your writing related questions. You can post those in the comments below.

In closing, I wish you all the best in your writing and good luck.

Thanks for reading,
SR
www.sylvainreynard.com