Nancy Freund
Write. That's really it.
Actually, I'm about to write a blog post with my most important advice to aspiring writers, and when I do, I'll see if I can link it here. The answer can be as vast and far-reaching as you like -- aimed for all kinds of aspirations. Self-discovery, catharsis, creating or repairing relationship, gaining readership, publication, traditional publication, recognition, literary prizes... these are all related goals but they are not in fact THE aspiration of being a writer. For aspiring writers, what it boils down to, really, is the Nike slogan: Just Do It. Obviously (probably?) you want to do it well, and that means honing your craft. I've got ideas on how to do that. Workshops, study, groups, conferences, mentors, books... Many people tell you to read, read, read. Read everything you can. Or read everything you can within your genre. Others tell you work with coaches or editors or beta readers. Others tell you to write your own thing in solitary isolation and don't let other people influence what you're writing or how you're doing so. Some say tell no one what you're writing. Others say announce it proudly but don't show it to anyone. Again, plenty will say it's best to share your work as you go. On all of this, I've got opinions, and maybe I'll delve a bit in a longer piece... but if you want to be a writer, there is truly only ONE thing you must do. Write. Everything else is gravy.
One more thing -- keep what you write, so if you want to pick something up and work with it later, you can.
Actually, I'm about to write a blog post with my most important advice to aspiring writers, and when I do, I'll see if I can link it here. The answer can be as vast and far-reaching as you like -- aimed for all kinds of aspirations. Self-discovery, catharsis, creating or repairing relationship, gaining readership, publication, traditional publication, recognition, literary prizes... these are all related goals but they are not in fact THE aspiration of being a writer. For aspiring writers, what it boils down to, really, is the Nike slogan: Just Do It. Obviously (probably?) you want to do it well, and that means honing your craft. I've got ideas on how to do that. Workshops, study, groups, conferences, mentors, books... Many people tell you to read, read, read. Read everything you can. Or read everything you can within your genre. Others tell you work with coaches or editors or beta readers. Others tell you to write your own thing in solitary isolation and don't let other people influence what you're writing or how you're doing so. Some say tell no one what you're writing. Others say announce it proudly but don't show it to anyone. Again, plenty will say it's best to share your work as you go. On all of this, I've got opinions, and maybe I'll delve a bit in a longer piece... but if you want to be a writer, there is truly only ONE thing you must do. Write. Everything else is gravy.
One more thing -- keep what you write, so if you want to pick something up and work with it later, you can.
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