N.J. Simmonds
My advice in 5 steps...
1. Write! It may sound simple but to be a good writer you need to write, write and write. It doesn't matter if you keep a journal, manage a blog, guest write for other websites and magazines, or doodle poetry in your spare time - don't stop writing! No one has to see it, but like with any creative practice you'll get better and better.
2. Read! Read everything, even the genres and writers that you don't think you like. Look at the words they use, the pace of the writing, their style, the way that they form sentences for maximum impact, how different genres are structured, character arcs and the subtle nuances in the dialogue. By all means lose yourself in the story (a good book should be so good you'll struggle to analyse it because you want to enjoy it) but soak it all up. It will make your writing better.
3. Go on a writing course. No matter at what level your experience is at, not only will you enjoy it, learn something and have a sounding board for ideas...but you will also meet like minded people who will support you.
4. Be brave. There's no point writing if you don't let people read it and remark on it. Get your work out there and immerse yourself in the world of literature. Use social media to connect and throw yourself into it. I always reply to my social media followers and love supporting new talents!
5. Grow a thick skin. You'll need it. Agents will say no. Publishers will say no. Editors will say no. Your readers will give bad reviews. IT DOESN'T MATTER. Write for you, and as long as you are happy you can't fail. Someone somewhere will love it as much as you do...and they are the ones that keep you doing what you love.
Good luck!
1. Write! It may sound simple but to be a good writer you need to write, write and write. It doesn't matter if you keep a journal, manage a blog, guest write for other websites and magazines, or doodle poetry in your spare time - don't stop writing! No one has to see it, but like with any creative practice you'll get better and better.
2. Read! Read everything, even the genres and writers that you don't think you like. Look at the words they use, the pace of the writing, their style, the way that they form sentences for maximum impact, how different genres are structured, character arcs and the subtle nuances in the dialogue. By all means lose yourself in the story (a good book should be so good you'll struggle to analyse it because you want to enjoy it) but soak it all up. It will make your writing better.
3. Go on a writing course. No matter at what level your experience is at, not only will you enjoy it, learn something and have a sounding board for ideas...but you will also meet like minded people who will support you.
4. Be brave. There's no point writing if you don't let people read it and remark on it. Get your work out there and immerse yourself in the world of literature. Use social media to connect and throw yourself into it. I always reply to my social media followers and love supporting new talents!
5. Grow a thick skin. You'll need it. Agents will say no. Publishers will say no. Editors will say no. Your readers will give bad reviews. IT DOESN'T MATTER. Write for you, and as long as you are happy you can't fail. Someone somewhere will love it as much as you do...and they are the ones that keep you doing what you love.
Good luck!
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