Lessons I've Learned: No. 1

Getting Started

I've been writing for almost 2 years now. Over the past 6 months or so I've been taking it more seriously, reading books on writing, subscribing to author blogs, and taking classes at an amazing literary arts center here in Minnesota called The Loft. I have 2 books ideas that are a little ways from being completed (one is being written and the other is being researched). I am still learning of course, but I would like to offer a take on the lessons I've learned so far in hopes that it may help someone else.

The Writer Swag

The very first thing I think you should do if you really want to write is to call yourself a writer. Being a writer is about what's on the inside, not going to coffee shops or bringing your laptop everywhere. I've referenced this in earlier posts because it's an excellent way to get you into the right mindset.  Initially many people have a problem with this.  They feel like since they haven't completed a book or story yet, they don't deserve to call themselves "writers".  This simply isn't true though. There is a difference between being a writer, and being a published author.  A writer is a person who writes. Simple as that.  If you write and are passionate about writing, you are a writer. There's nothing that says you can't call yourself a writer just because you have yet to have anything published.

My second suggestion about identifying yourself as a writer is if you're goal is to write for publication, don't shy away from that. A lot of people will say it's difficult to publish a book (although it is becoming somewhat easier with e-Books and self-publishing. More on that in later posts).  But look at it this way: it's also difficult to become a doctor, but it doesn't make any sense for a medical school student to say, "Well, I'm going to med school, but I don't know if I'll ever become a doctor."  Writing is the same way; if you want to publish, say that you want to publish. Don't listen to anyone that says you have to toil away writing with no ambitions in order to write successfully.

Please don't misunderstand me about that.  If you truly are just writing for yourself and you really don't care one way another if it gets published, that's great because you will be fulfilled simply by the writing, not what comes out of it. I'm not saying everyone should try to get published. But if you are someone who is saying that just because you don't want people to criticize your decision or to keep yourself from getting own hopes up, that's not helping you.

Creating Your Story

You may be like me and have a story line already in mind when you decide to write.  Or you may have no idea what to write about but know you want to write.  Either way, come up with ideas.  If you don't have a story line in mind, think up random scenarios. Things you would like to read about, things you wish would happen, things that have happened, think of worlds you would like to live or would not like to live in.  If you have a story idea already, think of different slants on the story, a different setting, different endings or different plot points. The more ideas you come up with, the better the one you ultimately write about will be.

After that, identify what makes your story unique.  After a minute of developing a story idea, you may realize it is somewhat similar to another story.  Don't immediately throw it away.  Take that basic story and add your own spin on it.  Make it unique and fresh, something that you (and by extension, your audience) would want to read.  If you're looking for a guide, "The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing" by Evan Marshall does a great job of walking you through how to choose a good story idea that is also interesting to read.

You may have heard the old motto, "write what you know." I really prefer to think of it more as "write what you enjoy."  If you really dislike romance novels, don't write a romance novel.  But don't limit yourself either.  There's nothing that says you can't write a sci-fi novel with a heavy romantic story line. Writing about things you aren't familiar with can be fun and can really help you develop as a writer. If you've the polite quiet type, try writing about a bully. Familiarity does not make a story good, but your passion and interest in it will. Besides, all you have to do to deal with something unfamiliar is a little research.

Research

Research is useful for just about any story that you may write.  It can be anything from researching a period of time for a historical book to reading books or watching movies that have a main character that is similar to your own for inspiration.  It can help you enter the mind of your characters, making them more complex and realistic. It can make the world you create for the reader seem more complete, thought out and realistic.

But don't over research. Adam Rico talks about this on the "Goins, Writer" blog.  There is a plethora of information out there.  You should find what helps you and ignore what doesn't.  In the end, lack of information is not the reason most people don't put their story ideas down on paper.  Instead you should also find resources that will help you with organizing, staying focused, plotting, etc.

Trust Yourself

From there, it's time to jump into the world of writing. You will have to find your own way, but it will be worth it.  Come up with ideas. Write about them. Throw away the ones you don't like. Consider it practice. Do research. Look for tips.  Disregard what doesn't resonate with you, keep what does. Talk to people about what you're writing.  Their feedback might surprise you. Trust yourself. You'll know what to do. After all, you're a writer.