Write Right~ Ten things to help

Many people ask, "What will kick start my writing?" Well here are TEN THINGS to get you started and help you on your way.

1. WRITE - this is an essential part of writing. If we don’t write then we bleed, terrible pain ensues and, well, you know what comes next.

2. NOTEBOOK - this is a part that many writers forget to have. I’m not meaning the computer notebook, I mean the old fashioned pen and paper. We all remember what that is right? WRITE! Have one in the rooms you occupy most, jot down story ideas, words that will trigger story ideas, poems, or write a story!  (no doodling please)

3. TIME - Set yourself a place and time for writing. We all say, “I don’t have time.” But really think about that. You don’t have even thirty minutes to spare for a dream, when you have eight hours for dreaming while you sleep?  ;)

4. WORDS - Words can trigger a whole line of thoughts. The thoughts can be strung into sentences and before we know it, we have a story. Know your words.

5. THESAURUS - You’d be surprised what a thesaurus can do for you. Instead of using the same word over and over to describe say, rain, use your thesaurus to conjure more creative ways to write about rain.

6. DICTIONARY - This is also a useful tool to find ideas AND get the right word. Use it so you sound like you know what you’re talking about.

7. WRITING GROUP - This one is the best tool ever. After you’ve written, you can show your group and they can tell you whether it is good, redundant, boring, or done too many times before. Your group is your lifeline into the reality of your writing. Treasure them!

8. Music - Sometimes when I sit down to write, I need silence but often times I need the strumming of a guitar or the sound of the sax. Whatever it is that puts YOU in the zone, use it to your benefit and begin writing!

9. GOALS - Everyday you need to write. Whether it is five hundred words or a thousand. You need to set a goal. “I will write five hundred words today!” Stick to your goal and your goals will get higher and higher each week!

10. CONFIDENCE - This one is a toughie. You need to have confidence in what you’re writing. Don’t keep going back to edit your work. You need to write and not stop. Save the editing for a completed work. Know in your heart you can do this and do it! Gain confidence through the prior suggestions.

After you get into the habit of utilizing these ten things, you will then see your writing get better, more frequent, nice and tight writing, growth, then with some luck, publishable work!!!

Now copy and print this out! Hang it above your computer so you are reminded EVERY DAY what you have to do, and STICK TO IT!!! Just give the author credit where credit is due. ;)