{"id":317,"date":"2023-08-22T17:05:09","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T15:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/?p=317"},"modified":"2026-09-22T14:54:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T12:54:33","slug":"where-to-start-9-tips-for-beginner-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/22\/where-to-start-9-tips-for-beginner-writers\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Start: Tips for Beginner Writers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

<\/p>\n

You want to write a book, but you don\u2019t know where to start? You\u2019re not alone. Most beginner writers feel that way, but look at you. You took the leap, and oddly, that\u2019s 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\u2019s your first step, and you\u2019ve already taken it. So, congratulations!<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m prescribing you some tips. They\u2019re not supposed to make your symptoms disappear. Be consistent, and hopefully, they\u2019ll get worse. STAMP. Here:<\/p>\n

Tip 1: Know what you\u2019re writing about<\/b><\/h1>\n

If you already know the story you want to write, don\u2019t skip this tip. Sit at your writer\u2019s desk in front of a blank page or any other writing tool you like. Don\u2019t 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\u2019t be creepy.<\/p>\n

Maybe then you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

As you can see, we\u2019re not writing yet. If you come across as too aggressive on your first date, don\u2019t be surprised when she blocks you. Trust me, writer\u2019s block is a real thing, and you\u2019re young and still have hope in your eyes. I wouldn\u2019t want this heartbreak to befall you, spring child. So, heed my warning. Be patient.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t care enough about your story, why would readers?<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not the only scenario. Some people wake up in the morning and think: life is hard, why not make it unbearable? Let\u2019s write a book. I\u2019ve heard writers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Before you run to the convenience store and buy whatever your hand can reach, only to end up with a bunch of clich\u00e9s that don\u2019t taste as good as the packaging suggests, look in your pantry. You don\u2019t need to be a chef to dig out things you know and love, past experiences, stories from work, places you\u2019ve been, conversations you have had or eavesdropped on\u2026<\/p>\n

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\u2019re not going to self-insert. Though that\u2019s inevitable to a degree. And we\u2019re not trying to recreate Truman Capote\u2019s La C\u00f4te Basque<\/i>. Instead, you\u2019ll be crafting a narrative that will draw readers in and captivate them with its unique perspective.<\/p>\n

However, sometimes, at two in the morning, your well-stocked pantry feels bleh. You reach for a bag and then\u2026 nah. That\u2019s 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\u2019ll lend you some.<\/p>\n

Tip 2: Armor yourself<\/b><\/h1>\n

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\u2019t expose yourself to the elements like that. Have you thought about your mothe\u2014I mean, your why?<\/p>\n

Why are you writing?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why are you writing this<\/i> story?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Is it because you enjoy the process? A perfectly legitimate purpose.<\/p>\n

Is there a deeper purpose behind your words? Also a perfectly legitimate purpose.<\/p>\n

Write it down; don\u2019t 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\u2019t belong, your why is one of the strongest tools in your writer\u2019s toolbox for overcoming these hurdles and completing your writing journey.<\/p>\n

A note for Muslim writers: <\/b>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.<\/p>\n

Tip 3: Decide on the vessel of your story<\/b><\/h1>\n

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\u2019t read like stories. They should have agreed on what kind of writing they wanted before they even issued the call for submissions.<\/p>\n

So, save yourself time and decide what kind of book you\u2019re writing: fiction or nonfiction. Within each category, you\u2019ll need to decide on the genre of your work.<\/p>\n

Maybe you have expertise or knowledge that you want to pass down to your audience. Nonfiction offers several possibilities. Maybe you\u2019re writing about your life, focusing on a specific theme, an experience you had, or a challenge you overcame. A memoir might be what you\u2019re looking for. An autobiography is more chronological and generally doesn’t revolve around a specific theme. It\u2019s a broader account of a person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

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\u2019d better not kill the protagonists at the end of your story. You promised them a thriller? You\u2019d better deliver the suspense. Your readers are looking for certain feelings or moods. Failing to deliver on that promise risks disappointing them.<\/p>\n

So start writing in a genre you enjoy reading since you\u2019re familiar with it as a reader. You might know instinctively what your audience is expecting to see in your book.<\/p>\n

The choice of genre matters. It shouldn\u2019t be decorative. It\u2019s 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\u2019s a perfectly legitimate reason. Just write it in a way that makes it inevitable.<\/p>\n

Tip 4: Read<\/b><\/h1>\n

You want to make your genre feel inevitable to your story? Read like a writer.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll begin to hone your own writing style. Reading also improves your vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall writing skills.<\/p>\n

Tip 5: Write, or else!<\/b><\/h1>\n

That\u2019s it. Now you write.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You heard what she said? So write, write, write.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Write, just write.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I think she wants you to write.<\/p>\n

Write like nobody is watching. Write badly. It\u2019s called a first draft. You\u2019ll have rounds and rounds of editing later, but you need to get the story on paper. You can\u2019t edit a blank page.<\/p>\n

I see you. Close that twelfth tab on your browser. You don\u2019t need any more research. Get back here. Write. No, no, you don\u2019t need the socio-economico-politico ecosystem of the world you\u2019ve built and rebuilt seven times already. Look at me\u2026 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\u2019t want that. Do you want to bore them with irrelevant details? Noo, good job. Now, start writing. If I don\u2019t hear you typing at the count of three, you\u2019ll be grounded.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One\u2026 Two\u2026 Thr\u2014why are you crying? You made a mistake? Aww, it\u2019s okay, you\u2019re 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Tip 6: Set goals you can sustain<\/b><\/h1>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Start small. For example, write every day (even if it\u2019s just a sentence or paragraph) or set a word count goal (like 200\u2013300 words a day). Find something you can sustain and focus on building the habit first. Once you\u2019re happy with the hand you\u2019re 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\u2019re welcome.<\/p>\n

Tip 7: Finish what’s on your plate<\/b><\/h1>\n

Well, this is awkward. But I swear I\u2019m not trying to confuse you. Really, these tips are to help you. As the famous Chinese saying goes, \u201cCome as you are, as you were, as I want you to be.\u201d *cough* Nirvana *cough*<\/p>\n

My point is, being flexible with the goals you set for yourself doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t want to end up like someone I know who has nine unfinished novels. No, actually I finished one of them\u2026 I mean, THEY, they finished one of them.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t 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\u2019re writing your book. Find out what stopped you, what\u2019s stopping you, and use it as a learning opportunity. And most importantly, finish your book.<\/p>\n

Tip 8: Share it for the love of everything writerly<\/b><\/h1>\n

Share your work. It doesn\u2019t need to feel like pulling teeth. You worked on your manuscript. You did your best. We agreed that in this clan, we don\u2019t fear mistakes. What\u2019s the worst that can happen? Someone won\u2019t like it? That\u2019s to be expected. You<\/i> don\u2019t like every book out there, right?<\/p>\n

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\u2019re completely dry, we fold them neatly and shove them to the back of your mind.<\/p>\n

Now, go to your closet and wear that thick skin I bought you on sale. I know you said it\u2019s too big, but you\u2019ll grow into it. It\u2019s important to get feedback and see how your work resonates with others. It\u2019s also a great way to improve your craft. You can\u2019t always detect areas for improvement in your own writing. You\u2019re too close to it. Even after taking some time away and coming back with an editor\u2019s eye, you might still be too close. You need feedback on what works and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Look, you know I have your back, always. I have many cousins, and they can help, too. But criticism of your work isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

There you have it, my favorite child. May the tides bring you readers, and may the reviews always be on your side.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You want to write a book, but you don\u2019t know where to start? You\u2019re not alone. Most beginner writers feel that way, but look at you. You took the leap, and oddly, that\u2019s the first tip for new writers. You want to start writing? Just start somewhere, anywhere: by writing, by researching, even by thinking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=317"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5433,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317\/revisions\/5433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goodcompanylit.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}