So you want to be a writer, huh?
Great! We'd love to help you get started…
Obviously there's no definitive guide for what it takes to become a Super Famous Writer, but, there are definitely some good practices and tips to give you a good start:
Explore what it's like to be a writer. Be confident in yourself, and know that you can do it even if you are unsure.
Read! The more you read, the better writer you'll be. Feast on novels, biographies and graphic novels. You can also use short stories and poems to spark your imagination.
Try creating a ten page book on a subject you enjoy. When you've finished your book, expand it. If you're stumped, you can check out our "Why Not Write Wednesdays" prompts!
Write as often as possible. Try to write something every day, even if it is only a few lines.
Journal. Journaling even just a little bit will help you get into the writing habit - write down real-life or made-up, fictional events.
Write what you are interested in reading about. Try creating characters - think about what they would look like, how they would speak, where they would live, what their greatest wish would be, etc.
Expand your vocabulary. When you come across a new word, don't just skip it - learn it! Then apply some new words you've learned to your daily conversation or in your writing.
Be open to constructive criticism. Get other people to read your writing and give you suggestions. See if you like them!
Hang out with other writers and share your work. Take classes, join a group of young writers. Share your work! Submit your writing to a magazine or website featuring young authors.
Never give up! If you need to wait a while before showing other people your writing that's OK. When you're ready, share it with a teacher, a family member or a friend. Writing takes practice, so keep at it!
So there you have it - hopefully some useful and practical ideas for how to get you on the path to becoming a writer!
We'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas and of course read samples of your awesome writing - please feel free to share and comment below!