How do I start writing for beginners?

Greetings, Fellow Imagination Architects and Future Authors!

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself conjuring worlds of magic, fantasy, or stepping into the realm of spine-tingling paranormal fiction, you’ve landed in the perfect spot!

In this blog post, I’m going to share the personal tale of how I embarked on my writing journey, along with some exclusive insights and tricks to fuel your inspiration.

Get ready to venture into the enchanting world of writing armed with your most cherished notebook and a steaming cup of your preferred brew – be it tea or coffee!

Let’s unleash the words!

 

Find Your Muse

Every great story begins with inspiration.

As a writer, you’re well aware that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places – a fleeting dream, a captivating film, a leisurely stroll through the woods, or even a lively chat with a friend.

And for those enchanted by the world of paranormal and supernatural fiction, it might just be the mystical, moonlit forest and the enigmatic creatures that call it home that kindle the flames of your imagination.

So, don’t just welcome it – embrace it wholeheartedly!

 

Read, Read, Read

Avid readers, you’re already on the right track!

I absolutely love to read and although many people may think that you cannot read other books whilst you’re trying to write your own, I find this untrue personally.

Reading not only enriches your vocabulary but also exposes you to different writing styles and genres, which can help you in the beginning stages of your writing.

So why not, dive into the world of paranormal and supernatural novels, you never know – you might find inspiration in how different authors approach the same mythical creatures.

If you’re struggling to find a good read through the seas of amazing fiction, why not check out my top 3:

• Others by James Herbert: Nicholas Dismas, a one-of-a-kind Private Investigator, harbours a mysterious secret that eludes even his own understanding. Tasked with locating a missing infant, he delves into the unsettling realm of Perfect Rest, a peculiar nursing home for the elderly. Amidst the shadows of this enigmatic place, Dismas unravels the chilling truth of the Others, culminating in a breathtaking finale where he confronts the ultimate mystery of his own existence.

• Dead Until Dark: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #1 by Charlaine Harris: In the sleepy town of Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse, a cocktail waitress with a unique ability to read minds, struggles to find connection due to her extraordinary gift. However, everything changes when she meets Bill, a charming vampire whose thoughts remain a mystery to her. As their romance blossoms, Sookie becomes entangled in a web of danger when a colleague is murdered, leading her to question her own safety amidst a sinister underworld of vampires and perilous secrets.

• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson finds himself accused of stealing Zeus’s powerful lightning bolt, igniting the wrath of the Sky God. As tensions escalate and the threat of divine conflict looms, Percy races against time to retrieve the bolt and prevent an all-out war among the Gods. Can Percy unravel the mystery and restore peace before chaos consumes them all?

 

Write Regularly

Writing is like a muscle – it gets stronger with exercise.

There are days when my day-to-day life starts to take over or I lose my writing flow but instead of giving myself a hard time about it, I take a break, switch off from the world with a nice bubble bath, my favourite music and close my eyes.

This helps me to relax my body and mind and in turn, sometimes helps new characters, scenes and storyline pop into my mind as I’m no longer forcing the inspiration to come.

So why not start with a journal or a personal blog where you can jot down your thoughts, ideas, and stories?

This regular practice will help you develop your unique voice and style.

 

Set Achievable Goals

Writing a novel can be intimidating, but breaking it into smaller, achievable goals makes it more manageable.

I started off by aiming to write 1,000 each morning before work and I set a time limit of 30 minutes each day.

It wasn’t easy and a lot of other tasks threatened to get into this allocated writing time slot but I made it a priority and it worked!

So why not, aim for a certain word count each day or week?

Before you know it, you’ll have a completed draft.

 

Edit and Revise

Being a perfectionist, I realised very quickly that writing is a learning process and not every chapter is going to be perfect straight away.

Sometimes, characters need to be developed or scenes don’t make sense when you read it back but just remember that you want to be 100% happy with what you finally publish so sometimes a little extra revision will help.

Just remember, writing is rewriting.

Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect.

Embrace the editing process as an opportunity to polish and refine your work.

 

Seek Feedback

This is always a scary process because you have been working on your ‘baby’ for months (if not years) and you now have to share it with others who will not have the same love and connection you do to the characters or the premise.

But don’t be scared.

Remember, all criticism and feedback can be helpful so why not start by sharing your writing with others, whether it’s a trusted friend, a writing group, or an online community?

Constructive feedback can help you grow as a writer.

 

Stay Curious

In the realm of creativity, every avenue is a potential source of inspiration – be it a riveting TV show, an enthralling book, a captivating movie, a thought-provoking news report, a tapestry of history, or a mythical legend.

Curiosity is the spark that ignites the fires of creativity. It beckons you to venture into new territories, to embrace fresh genres, and to adopt diverse perspectives.

For in this boundless exploration, you’ll unearth the seeds of your next masterpiece, waiting to bloom.

 

Learn from the Masters

As I embarked on my writing journey, I knew I needed to delve into the world of knowledge.

Concepts like story structure, character development, and plot outlines felt like uncharted territory. While I had been immersed in countless remarkable books, the idea of crafting my own narrative seemed daunting.

To bridge this gap, I delved into the works of my cherished authors, particularly those who wove tales in the captivating realm of paranormal and supernatural fiction.

Additionally, I enrolled in a creative writing course, seeking to unravel the art of sculpting a novel within my chosen genre.

But it didn’t stop there. I immersed myself in dissecting the techniques and storytelling prowess of my favourite authors, yearning to glean insights that would further refine my own unique style.

This quest for knowledge became the cornerstone of my writing odyssey.

 

Stay Persistent

Writing, much like any adventure, comes with its peaks and valleys.

It’s essential not to be disheartened by rejection or the dreaded writer’s block.

These are challenges every wordsmith encounters.

The key lies in persevering.

When faced with these obstacles, it’s beneficial to dissect the root cause.

Perhaps the story has lost its initial spark, or a particularly complex scene demands more revision than anticipated.

By breaking these hurdles into bite-sized, manageable pieces, you can address them one at a time.

For instance, if the story no longer captivates you, it’s crucial to understand why.

Can a few tweaks reignite your passion, or does a complete overhaul beckon?

Remember, every roadblock is a chance to grow and refine your narrative prowess.

Keep forging ahead!

 

Celebrate Your Achievements

Acknowledging your achievements, no matter how small, is a vital part of the writing journey.

This craft demands diligence and dedication, and you should take pride in every step forward.

Personally, I have a delightful ritual for concluding my initial chapters.

After meticulous editing and refining to a point of utmost satisfaction, I treat myself to a cherished chocolate bar accompanied by a comforting mug of steaming hot cocoa.

It may not be the extravagance of champagne and caviar, but it’s a celebration that resonates with me and underscores the significance of progress.

Remember, every milestone is a testament to your dedication and creativity!

 

Need more help?

Ready to unlock your full writing potential?

Explore a magical collection of digital products crafted from my own writing journey to help you create unforgettable stories.

Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning your craft, there’s something here for every writer.

Dive into The Ultimate Writing Collection, with over 1,000 pages of inspiring tips, guides, and resources, or organize your creative process with The Ultimate Author’s Planner—a beautifully designed 250+ page planner packed with templates and insights to guide you from idea to publication.

For deeper support, check out The Writing Guides Collection or The Cheat Guides Collection. These collections are filled with practical advice, creative tasks, and unique insights drawn from my personal experience as a writer—perfect for enhancing your storytelling and world-building skills.

Visit the Author’s Toolkit now to explore and find the perfect tools to make your writing journey a success.

All guides are also available individually, so you can choose exactly what you need!

Happy writing,

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.