Whether you want to begin writing poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, you can often feel unsure of where to start. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you start your writing journey.
1: Let Go of What You Think Writing is Supposed to Be
When I took my first poetry class in college, I was intimidated by the poetry that is taught in most High school English Literature classes. I thought that I had to master the rules of sonnets or villanelles in order for my work to be good. Luckily, I had a professor that let me in on a secret: There is no one way to write. Your poems don’t have to sound like something out of the 18th century, your stories don’t have to mimic James Patterson or Stephen King. The best writing is authentic to you, and each writer has their own voice.
2: Don’t Wait for Inspiration to Hit
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used the excuse, “I just can’t think of anything.” In the past, it allowed me to go weeks, even months without writing and improving my craft. By the time I found the inspiration to start again, it felt like I was starting from scratch, which made it harder to get back into practice. A great piece of advice is to take time out of each day to write. Whether it be 10 or 20 minutes, take some quiet time to free write or journal. Be intentional, even if you have to factor it into your busy schedule. You never know what ideas they may spark.
3: Read, Listen to Music, Consume Art
One of the biggest ways to find inspiration for your own work is to read your favorite authors, listen to your favorite artists, and to watch your favorite movies. Poet Maria Mazziotti Gillan says it best in her book Writing Poetry to Save Your Life, “You can’t Write in a Vacuum”. Imagery, emotion, detail, they are all drawn from experiences (whether yours or someone else’s) And the best way to find your writing voice, is to understand what you like in other’s.
4: You’re Probably Going to Hate Everything You Write (at first)
I say this to say, it’s normal to feel frustrated, or like your writing isn’t good enough. Most writers deal with imposter syndrome or struggle with outside critiques. But remember, nothing is going to be perfect on the first draft. Revision is crucial to the writing process, and most of the time, you’ll need multiple drafts before you feel a project is ready. A tip is to save multiple versions of your drafts just in case. You never know when you may want to revisit something. Most importantly: trust in yourself and listen to your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, maybe it’s because you have more to say. The only way to know is to keep writing.
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Life Without Limits 