You may have started writing at an early
age.
On the other hand, you may be like Laura Ingalls Wilder, born in
1867. She didn’t start writing her successful “Little House”
book series until 1932 when she was sixty-five years old!
It doesn’t matter when you start to write; what’s important is
that when you do, you commit yourself to writing the very best you
can.
Who, what, when, where and why? And how?
WHY write?
You must WANT to write! Writers love to create believable
characters; set fascinating scenes; move readers to tears or
laughter; or inform the uninformed.
To see your work in print for the first time is like the joy of
birth or finally discovering that special person is in love with
you!
WHAT to write?
“Write what you know” and “write what you like” – but
also, write for your readers.
I started writing at the age of nine. Growing up, I wrote poetry,
pages and pages of it. I never went a day without making an entry in
my diary. I also scribbled endless tales of horror, deceit and
romance. I loved everything I wrote, but nothing was published!
Then I started to write more for my readers than for me. I studied
my craft and did not accept second best from myself. I began to be
published.
WHO to write for?
Select your target audience – young; old; trendy; traditional;
scholastic; romantic. Aim your pen or your computer keys at your
chosen readers. Study the markets and get your work off to a
publisher.
WHERE to write?
You don’t need a desk, computer, printer and fancy office with a
view! Just a pen and note pad can get you started. If your home is
like Piccadilly Circus, find a quiet park bench, coffee shop counter
or corner of a library. Before I even owned a typewriter, I wrote
stories on my office electric while the rest of the staff were at
lunch.
WHEN should you write?
Some writers are early risers and work from dawn to lunch; others
write dawn to dusk; and some write when they get home from their
“day job”, often into the “wee” hours.
Choose the time when you are most relaxed and your creativity is at
its peak. There’s no point in rushing to complete an assignment
between the demands of your family or job. Wait until you have a
quiet moment alone. You can achieve more in short spurts of quiet
creativity than in long periods of chaos.
HOW to write
For centuries, students have been instructed how to write correctly,
but individual writing style cannot be taught. This only comes with
practice.
Take up your pen or boot up your computer. Keep studying your craft,
keep writing and YOU can become a successful writer!
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