Helpful Writing Tips for Beginners

Helpful writing tips for beginners, from an editor and self-published author. The writing journey can be amazing and wonderful, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Here are my top tips for beginners.

Broaden your vocabulary by reading great books.

Artists can always find inspiration from other artists, and that’s the beauty of writing. You will never be alone in your writing journey if you follow the tips and techniques of all the other authors that have come before you. Reading great books will give you examples of how to develop your plot and characters in an organized and effective way, and as you read and write more, you will develop your unique writing style and pick up a few new words and phrases that you can use in your own writing.

Write consistently. The more you write, the better you’ll get. It takes time.

As a new writer, starting with a blank page can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to learn, and I’m sure you feel like you have a million stories just waiting to pour out. The best advice I could give to any writer is to write consistently, because the more you’re in practice, the less you’ll deal with writer’s block. Sometimes new authors feel a lot of pressure to get everything right, but take that weight off your shoulders. No author’s first draft is perfect. Another great tip for new writers is to practice writing exercises. My favorite one that I used to do daily in college is called Freewriting. Put on a timer for ten minutes, and write whatever comes to mind. It could be a new topic daily, and it doesn't have to make sense! Write, write, write without stopping or looking back at what you’ve already written. Writing exercises help you develop your writing style and creativity!

Research your topic and get a good idea of your audience. For example: if you’re writing YA, research that genre.

Though this tip is essential to beginners, all writers, whether they’ve published one or a million books, need to research their topic and audience before they start writing. You shouldn't just start writing fantasy if you’ve never read a fantasy book. Read from your genre. See which books from your preferred genre have succeeded and why. The more you understand your genre and audience, the easier it will be to write, edit, and eventually sell your book. Research is also important because you want your story, descriptions, and characters to be consistent and relatable to your reader. If you are writing a historical fiction piece or anything set in our reality, you’ll want to research that specific era, time, and setting. Regardless of your genre and story, research will help you get a better idea of your piece before you even start writing.

Join a supportive writing community!

Joining a supportive writing community is probably one of my favorite parts of being an indie author. There are thousands of writers and authors out there just like you, looking for support and help in this incredible, yet difficult writing journey. Being surrounded by people who understand or are learning as much as they can about the writing, editing, and publishing process will help you gain the confidence you need as an aspiring author. One of the first things I did after self-publishing my debut novel, Picture Perfect, was creating my author page on Instagram (@thepoetscorner_ )

and friending as many indie authors as I could. Along the way, I’ve met wonderful authors who have supported me by reading my books, telling me about different websites and approaches to publication, inspiring me through their own books, and just encouraging me to continue writing. I’ve made real friendships and found authentic support in my writing community. We can learn from everyone around us—but as an aspiring author, friending people who have been there will be one of the greatest choices you can make.

For more writing tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram, and check out my blog, editing services, and books!