You want to write a book, but you don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Most beginner writers feel that way, but look at you. You took the leap, and oddly, that’s the first tip for new writers. You want to start writing? Just start somewhere, anywhere: by writing, by researching, even by thinking about it. That’s your first step, and you’ve already taken it. So, congratulations!

Let me put my eyeglasses on for a minute. Okay, young writer, tell me: when did it all start? What were your first symptoms? Did you have an idea for a story first, or did you have the idea of becoming a writer first?

I’m prescribing you some tips. They’re not supposed to make your symptoms disappear. Be consistent, and hopefully, they’ll get worse. STAMP. Here:

Tip 1: Know what you’re writing about

If you already know the story you want to write, don’t skip this tip. Sit at your writer’s desk in front of a blank page or any other writing tool you like. Don’t start with the questions right away. This is a first date, not an interrogation. Tell her how beautiful she is. Let her tell you about herself. Be attentive. Ask relevant questions; don’t be creepy.

Maybe then you’ll discover something about yourself: you have a type! Story ideas come in all shapes and forms: a character, a plot, a setting, an image, a premise, a line of dialogue, a question, a theme, a situation. I usually think of the broad strokes of a story before anything else. The characters come next. Whatever the type might be, you need to hold her hand and never let go.

As you can see, we’re not writing yet. If you come across as too aggressive on your first date, don’t be surprised when she blocks you. Trust me, writer’s block is a real thing, and you’re young and still have hope in your eyes. I wouldn’t want this heartbreak to befall you, spring child. So, heed my warning. Be patient.

Putting words on paper is the easier task. If it helps you discover your story, go for it. However you do it, take your time to develop a relationship with your idea. If you don’t care enough about your story, why would readers?

But that’s not the only scenario. Some people wake up in the morning and think: life is hard, why not make it unbearable? Let’s write a book. I’ve heard writers’ tears reverse aging. They are all natural, and you can make them at home! But what are the ingredients? Ideas, young writer. You need ideas.

Before you run to the convenience store and buy whatever your hand can reach, only to end up with a bunch of clichés that don’t taste as good as the packaging suggests, look in your pantry. You don’t need to be a chef to dig out things you know and love, past experiences, stories from work, places you’ve been, conversations you have had or eavesdropped on…

Getting inspiration from personal experiences can give your writing authenticity. Your characters are not generic or forgettable. They feel like real people because they take after real people from your life. The same goes for places, dialogue, and so on. Of course, you’re not going to self-insert. Though that’s inevitable to a degree. And we’re not trying to recreate Truman Capote’s La Côte Basque. Instead, you’ll be crafting a narrative that will draw readers in and captivate them with its unique perspective.

However, sometimes, at two in the morning, your well-stocked pantry feels bleh. You reach for a bag and then… nah. That’s totally fine. You need inspiration. Look into books, poems, or movies that resonate with you. Brainstorm different ideas and see what feels right. Writing prompts can help too. Prompts make Good Copy, our newsletter at Good Company Lit. We’ll lend you some.

Tip 2: Armor yourself

This is crucial. No child of mine will venture into the writerness without a proper shield. You decided to become a writer. Fine! But don’t expose yourself to the elements like that. Have you thought about your mothe—I mean, your why?

Why are you writing? 

Why are you writing this story? 

Is it because you enjoy the process? A perfectly legitimate purpose.

Is there a deeper purpose behind your words? Also a perfectly legitimate purpose.

Write it down; don’t just think about it. When your path takes you into muddy middles and you feel like giving up, or when you meet impostor syndrome and it makes you feel like you don’t belong, your why is one of the strongest tools in your writer’s toolbox for overcoming these hurdles and completing your writing journey.

A note for Muslim writers: Your niyyah (intention) matters beyond the writing desk. As you reflect on why you want to write this story, consider what you hope to achieve through it and what you’re putting into the world. Writing for enjoyment is a legitimate purpose, but the content of your writing matters too. Seek knowledge where you need guidance, and let Islamic principles inform your choices as a writer.

Tip 3: Decide on the vessel of your story

I have a personal experience with this one. I was editing the work of a group of writers for an anthology. What started as editing turned into coaching. The organizers of the project wanted short stories. The writers wrote personal essays. Throughout the project, we were trying to contort the personal essays into short stories. The writers complained that their stories were too fictionalized, and the people behind the project complained the essays didn’t read like stories. They should have agreed on what kind of writing they wanted before they even issued the call for submissions.

So, save yourself time and decide what kind of book you’re writing: fiction or nonfiction. Within each category, you’ll need to decide on the genre of your work.

Maybe you have expertise or knowledge that you want to pass down to your audience. Nonfiction offers several possibilities. Maybe you’re writing about your life, focusing on a specific theme, an experience you had, or a challenge you overcame. A memoir might be what you’re looking for. An autobiography is more chronological and generally doesn’t revolve around a specific theme. It’s a broader account of a person’s life.

In fiction, there are genres. Every genre has its own characteristics and reader expectations. When readers pick up your book, they do it because of the promise you made. You promised a romance? You’d better not kill the protagonists at the end of your story. You promised them a thriller? You’d better deliver the suspense. Your readers are looking for certain feelings or moods. Failing to deliver on that promise risks disappointing them.

So start writing in a genre you enjoy reading since you’re familiar with it as a reader. You might know instinctively what your audience is expecting to see in your book.

The choice of genre matters. It shouldn’t be decorative. It’s a part of the craft of writing to know which genre carries the story and which one serves merely as a container. Will your story be the same if you changed the genre: from contemporary fiction to fantasy, for example? Does it matter to the story that your characters travel on horseback and not on spaceships? Take a moment and consider it. If you write a certain genre because you like it, that’s a perfectly legitimate reason. Just write it in a way that makes it inevitable.

Tip 4: Read

You want to make your genre feel inevitable to your story? Read like a writer.

Read in your genre. Know the ins and outs. Analyze how other writers execute it. Study books that have been influential in your genre and identify the common tropes and conventions.

Read widely. Exposure to different writing styles, genres, ideas, and storytelling techniques helps you understand how other, more experienced writers approach their work. As you discover what works for you, you’ll begin to hone your own writing style. Reading also improves your vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall writing skills.

Tip 5: Write, or else!

That’s it. Now you write. 

You heard what she said? So write, write, write. 

Write, just write. 

I think she wants you to write.

Write like nobody is watching. Write badly. It’s called a first draft. You’ll have rounds and rounds of editing later, but you need to get the story on paper. You can’t edit a blank page.

I see you. Close that twelfth tab on your browser. You don’t need any more research. Get back here. Write. No, no, you don’t need the socio-economico-politico ecosystem of the world you’ve built and rebuilt seven times already. Look at me… Look. At. Me. Do you really need all this information to start writing? Do you want to end up infodumping on your readers? Noo, you don’t want that. Do you want to bore them with irrelevant details? Noo, good job. Now, start writing. If I don’t hear you typing at the count of three, you’ll be grounded. 

One… Two… Thr—why are you crying? You made a mistake? Aww, it’s okay, you’re but a baby writer.
Expect to make mistakes; this is how you learn a new skill, and writing is no exception. Try different techniques, explore new ideas, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Instead of seeing mishaps as personal failures, use them to reflect and understand where the story fell short. Figure out what went wrong, learn from it, and try again.

Tip 6: Set goals you can sustain

Writing tips are tricky. They can easily seem contradictory. One moment, I tell you to let your imagination lead you, but then I tell you about reader expectations and rules for writing, like when to show and when to tell. But these are not rules. I mean, writing is an art, after all. Just write! And when you start inking your papers, you hear me clear my throat from over your shoulder: Actually, you need to set realistic goals.

Unrealistic goals tend to be unattainable or unsustainable. Spare yourself the disappointment of repeatedly falling short of expectations you couldn’t reasonably meet in the first place. That can lead to self-doubt and giving up. But how would you know if your goals are in your range? 

Start small. For example, write every day (even if it’s just a sentence or paragraph) or set a word count goal (like 200–300 words a day). Find something you can sustain and focus on building the habit first. Once you’re happy with the hand you’re dealt, life will most probably shuffle your cards. So, you need to be flexible. What was a realistic goal when you were a teenager with fewer responsibilities and more free time is not so realistic when you have a job and a family and an undiagnosed mental illness all fighting for your time and energy. There, new fear unlocked. You’re welcome.

Tip 7: Finish what’s on your plate

Well, this is awkward. But I swear I’m not trying to confuse you. Really, these tips are to help you. As the famous Chinese saying goes, “Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be.” *cough* Nirvana *cough*

My point is, being flexible with the goals you set for yourself doesn’t mean to keep starting projects and abandoning them on a whim. Here, discipline should step in and make you finish what you start. You don’t want to end up like someone I know who has nine unfinished novels. No, actually I finished one of them… I mean, THEY, they finished one of them.

Don’t be like those who shall not be named. Focus on finishing the project even if you took a break from it. Get back to it. Read it with fresh eyes. Remember why you’re writing your book. Find out what stopped you, what’s stopping you, and use it as a learning opportunity. And most importantly, finish your book.

Tip 8: Share it for the love of everything writerly

Share your work. It doesn’t need to feel like pulling teeth. You worked on your manuscript. You did your best. We agreed that in this clan, we don’t fear mistakes. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone won’t like it? That’s to be expected. You don’t like every book out there, right?

But if it hurts that much, fear not, dearest child. Our impostor syndrome is with us, our self-doubt is with us, our feeling of not being good enough is with us. We lay them out. Give them a good cry. Once they’re completely dry, we fold them neatly and shove them to the back of your mind.

Now, go to your closet and wear that thick skin I bought you on sale. I know you said it’s too big, but you’ll grow into it. It’s important to get feedback and see how your work resonates with others. It’s also a great way to improve your craft. You can’t always detect areas for improvement in your own writing. You’re too close to it. Even after taking some time away and coming back with an editor’s eye, you might still be too close. You need feedback on what works and what doesn’t.

Look, you know I have your back, always. I have many cousins, and they can help, too. But criticism of your work isn’t necessarily a personal attack. It can help make your book the best it can be. Come on. Loosen your grip. My fingers are starting to hurt.

There you have it, my favorite child. May the tides bring you readers, and may the reviews always be on your side.