10 Writing Tips for the Aspiring Writer
Hello friends and lovers!
Today’s post is a commonly asked question among my fellow aspiring writers: as a new writer, what are some writing tips that can help me?
This is always such a popular question and I want you to know, I’m still new and learning as I go. However, as I have walked this journey, I’ve stumbled across a few tips that I wish I knew before writing my first novel.
I hope these will help you out!
Top 10 Writing Tips
Discover your writing style
First person VS Third Person POV
Do you enjoy writing in first person or third person? There are multiple ways to write a story. I’ll break down the different types for you.
First Person Point of View: Just as the name suggests, writing is written in first person, which means the main character narrates the story from their point of view. You'll see the frequent use of "I" statements.
Example: I picked up my heavy plastic totes filled with groceries as I headed toward my car, only to see my neighbor leaning against my sedan with a lighter in his hand.
Third person point of view: the author or a character outside of the main characters narrates the story from their point of view with the use of “he, she, they” statements.
Example -
She picked up her heavy plastic totes filled with groceries and headed toward her car, but she saw her neighbor leaning against her sedan with a lighter in his hand.
There is no right or wrong way to discover your writing, therefore I highly recommend you find your writing style by using the various forms of first or third person point of view to see which is best for you.
Check out this article from Masterclass that breaks the definitions down and provides more information!
Past VS present tense?
Understanding what tense you want to write in will help you with writing development. Do you enjoying writing in either form? Present tense seems to be popular lately, however there is something so satisfying about reading/writing stories in past tense, in my opinion. (Can you tell i write in past form?)
Do you have a preference when you read or write? Figure out which calls to you!
2. Discover if you are a plotter or a pantser
What is a plotter?
A writer who takes the times to organize their thoughts, story, themes, etc into an outline. It's a solid foundation for the beginning of their story's journey.
What is a pantser?
A writer who writes away and thinks of story structure, themes, and ideas as they go. Total free-spirits at heart and are not constricted to any type of outline.
Which fits your writing style the best? Maybe you’re a total planner like me and outlining is your jam, no shame! Maybe you’re a free spirit and don’t have time to outline, because your brain is overactive with loads of ideas that need to come out ASAP! That’s great too!
3. Create a writing schedule
Creating a writing schedule will help you to keep yourself accountable.
Do you have a day job and can’t write full time? That’s ok, most of us are in the same boat! Create a writing schedule that works best for you, whether it be a Monday-Sunday schedule, writing every other day, or even writing on your lunch breaks at work.
Personally, I will write short stories during my breaks at work if I have time to get my creative fuel going, otherwise, I’m writing at nighttime consistently everyday. I’m not saying writing everyday is a requirement, but it does help me develop my writing. Developing that skill, like anything else, does take time.
When you finish your first draft, it’ll be glorious, until you read it.
4. Ask yourself, what genre are you looking to write in? What’s your niche?
Maybe you already know what genre you’re writing in. If that’s you, congrats, you can save time and skip this step! Otherwise, stick around to ponder the answer to this question.
Do you want to write in the romance genre? If so, what subgenera interests you about romance? Is it reverse harems, contemporary romances, dark romance, etc… the possibilities are almost quite endless.
Not sure what you’re interested in writing or what genres there are? Check out the genres under Amazon, it’ll give you a great idea. I’ll paste a screenshot below.
Just the books section alone has so many options. Then, I clicked on romance, because, I am a romance writer. It has a lot of sub-genre.
It’s fun to look in each section and read synopsis of books you’re interested in. It’s a great way to be inspired for new ideas! (No, don’t copy the idea, but it can fuel inspiration.)
5. Find your tribe
Finding your tribe is all about finding like minded writers who are willing to push one another and keep each other accountable with your goals.
For example, I have a writing group I’m in and we like to help one another out, whether we’re talking marketing, or sharing tips and tricks.
If all else fails, you guys can encourage one another in feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing, because let’s face it… none of us know.
6. Create a character using a template
Character development is really fun! Make sure to get to know your character’s as much as you can before writing. Understanding their backstory, likes, dislikes, career, surroundings, etc… will help you with your outlining.
Yes to outlines!
The person that has the best explanation on character development AND she even has a template is Abbie Emmons. She’s pretty amazing and her videos have helped me so much.
7. Use writing prompts to fuel creativity
I don’t know how I would survive as a writer without writing prompts. I cannot stress writing prompts enough! They seriously will kickstart your creativity. Write like there’s no tomorrow and enjoy the process. Writing prompts are supposed to be stress free. This is what will help you develop your style, or maybe even help you get into a writing schedule.
Where can you find writing prompts?
Pinterest! I have a board filled with them, click here to see them.
Tumblr! Ok, I don’t know if you still use it, but on occasion, I use it. It’s solid.
Blog posts, I wrote a few writing prompts for you! Click here to see them.
8. Read books in your niche
I don’t believe reading is a requirement to be a great writer, and I may be the only one with this opinion, however it does help to understand story structure. Unless you’re a natural storyteller. Being a natural storyteller is absolutely a total win in my book and if you have that ability, you’re solid.
However, for most of us mortal humans, we read books in our niche. Why? Because it allows us to understand tropes better. Tropes are what readers need to be hooked into your story right away and it’s a great way to find the right readers.
Think of what your favorite tropes in a story are. Now tell me, when you come across said trope in an advertisement, do your ears perk up? (I thought so!) Tropes are what provide reader expectations. Yes, we should try our best to freshen up a trope, however, it’s good to stick to the basics of a trope too, because readers are diving into specific tropes for that reason, reader expectations. While it’s great to try to be very “original” and I place it in quotes because, nothing can be original at this point, everything has been done, just remember to keep things simple for yourself. Keeping a storyline simple is often what makes a great story.
9. Keep a notebook with you at all times, physical or digital one
I use an app on my iPhone called, Just Write. It’s free and it’s quick and easy to create multiple documents and write ideas down throughout the day. (Not endorsed by apple or Just Write app).
Have you ever been laying down in bed, or woken up in the middle of the night with a story idea or maybe a dream and you tell yourself you’ll remember to jot it down in the morning? I bet you 9/10 times, you’ll forget that idea/dream. Jot it down, keep your notebook or phone on your bedight stand.
10. Remember, your first draft will stink and it’ll be ok
Have you ever heard of a best selling author saying that their first draft was perfect? I can almost guarantee you, nobody has ever said that in any interview. A well polished book will take multiple drafts and that’s how it should be. Even then, books go through multiple editors, especially best selling traditionally published books. on’t compare yourself to someone already established. You’re paving your own way!
My first book took nine drafts. My second book took seven drafts.
There’s a great quote I really enjoyed when I first began writing that helped my brain to settle and understand my first draft is not meant to be good. (Adding extra ones for good measure!)
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” ―Terry Pratchett
“The first draft reveals the art; revision reveals the artist.” — Michael Lee
“Most times, I’ll just sit there, suffer, write shitty sentences, and hope I can make the next draft less putrid.” — Daniel Pink
“I would advise any beginning writer to write the first drafts as if no one else will ever read them—without a thought about publication -and only in the last draft to consider how the work will look from the outside.” — Anne Tyler
Thank you for reading through my tips. That’s all I have for you today.
Which tip(s) helped you the most? Which one will you implement the next time you sit down to write?
One final thought for you…………..
Finish that draft with the confidence of a champion, because YOU ARE! Completing a novel, novella, short story is no easy task!
Want more articles to assist with your writing, or creating schedules?
Until next time!
Xoxo,
Viv
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Although I’m brand new to the game and have yet to publish my book, you can rest assured this post is simply dedicated to some of my thoughts on the matter. I’ve completed hours of research and my hope is that this may help someone, if they are planning on publishing their own novel. This is in no way to gear anyone toward a specific side, I just want to share a few things I’ve noticed along the way in my search. Now that we can push that aside, let’s dive in!