I am not a professional author but I do have some experience. I have co-authored an award winning book, written articles for magazines and academic journals, I edit an apologetics journal and am an associate editor at a Christian magazine. I present these thoughts not as an expert but as someone who has some experience and would love to help others to write.
1. What is your goal for writing? Are you looking for a career? A part-time job? An outlet for your creativity? You need to work through these questions.
2. The hope for many writers to write a book. That is great but just realize that unless you write a bestseller, you won’t make much money. If you are looking for a career, writing magazine articles will purchase more groceries.
3. How do you start? You start by writing. Write anything. Write for free. Write as much and as often as you can. The more you write, the better you will write.
4. Start a blog. Write in your blog. Do it often. This will give you experience and it will get your name out there. See my post on how to blog.
5. Submit ideas to magazines. Find out the kind of articles they are looking for. Be specific in what you want to write about.
6. Do not be discouraged by rejection notices. Sometimes it was not the right magazine. Sometimes your idea was not great. It is okay. Keep trying.
7. Connect with other writers. Join groups on social media. Go to writing conferences. Make friends in person.
8. Seek to increase your skills. Read books on writing and grammar. Go to writing workshops. Watch webinars.
9. Work on your grammar. Nothing promotes rejection like bad grammar. It does not matter how great your idea, if your grammar is bad so is your article.
10. Make sure your articles get edited before you submit. Find a friend who will read your article. It is difficult to edit your own article because you are too close to it. It is always good to get an outside perspective.
This is not a comprehensive list but these ideas will help you get started if you are interested in writing.
- Aricles
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- Books
- How to become a writer
- Writing