This is a collaborative post.
Have you always dreamed of being a writer? Have you got an idea for a novel in your head, just desperate to get out and onto paper? Or perhaps you have started writing and then walked away from it and can’t quite figure out how to get back into it? I’ve been there. I still am there, a lot of the time.
Whatever your current situation is, if you are reading this then the chances are that you are meant to be writing. You’re a writer, it’s what you do…but that doesn’t mean it’s always that simple. It’s a funny thing, as, at times, writing can be the easiest thing in the world to do. When the creative mood hits you can just pick up a pen and notepad or power up your laptop and you write. Simple, right? But you and I both know that it’s not, which is why today I’m sharing with you 3 ways to kickstart your writing.
This can be useful for those of you who are stuck in a bit of a writing rut, or for anyone who just isn’t sure how to get started with their work. Whichever category you fall into, these three quick tips might help you to get going with your writing!
Take a creative writing course
It might seem like another way of putting off the actual writing of your story, but taking a creative writing course can actually really help. There are so many courses available out there, and this is a great way to kickstart your writing. I’ve enrolled in a couple of these myself, and there’s always something to be gained from continuing your learning!
By taking a course you are also acknowledging, to yourself and everyone else, that you plan to take this seriously and that it really means something to you. It can help your mindset and attitude to writing which is hugely powerful.
The Open University runs a series of OpenLearn free courses, so they might be a good place to start.
Develop a character, fully
This is a fun exercise to do and is a great way to start writing again. All that you have to do is develop a character. Not a plot line, not a synopsis, nothing at all about a full story, just work on one character. This might take more time than you expect, but it will be worth it in the longer term, as your story will feel richer and more developed.
You need to really know this character of yours inside and out. You will want to spend time researching and imagining every aspect of their lives, their job at the local council, the town that they live in, the cupcakes they buy from the little bakery every Friday, the vapes they buy from Vsavi once a month, their weekly outing to their dance class and so much more. You need to know them, properly. Then, once you really know them and their every fault and foible, you will be able to start bringing them to life for your reader in a much more authentic way.
Draft something of an introduction to them, build a persona and craft your words carefully so that you bring this character to life. Imagine that this is the first chapter in a book where we get to meet your protagonist. Don’t worry about where the story is going, that doesn’t matter yet, just focus on being able to understand and convey your character.
Connect with other writers
With so many writers now blogging and using social media, this is an easy one to do from the comfort of your own laptop screen. However, connecting and networking with other writers shouldn’t be done superficially, or you’ll learn nothing from it. Make sure you take the time to actually engage with your fellow writers and support them in their writing pursuits as well as your own!
Search for the #amwriting and #WritingCommunity hashtags on social media and you will find lots of people that way. Join in with #NaNoWriMo, a thriving community that encourages people to pen a novel in a month. Or check out Instagram where so many writers hang out, here are some amazing Instagram accounts for writers to follow to get you started.
Social media can offer support to writers and it can help you to feel less isolated. You’ll find that in no time you will connect with like-minded souls that will encourage you as you write.
Hopefully, these 3 ways to kickstart your writing have given you at least a starting point for your own writing journey. Even if you just take one of these points into consideration and then turn it into action, you’ve taken the first step on your road to writing productivity. Don’t forget to check out the July Camp NaNoWriMo project too for more inspiration this month!
Let me know in the comments if any of the tips here have proven helpful, or if you have any of your own to add. Let me know how your writing project is going and if you’re looking for more writing tips you can check out this board on my Pinterest for more creative writing prompts.
