Writing for Absolute Beginners — a Systematic Approach
Decided to write but the mind goes blank
At the very beginning, there is one important thing you need to know. If you followed the above title down here, we are not very different. You are in a situation which typically comes to every writing enthusiast. But believe me, it is where the journey of every writer begins.
There are multiple instances when the typical situation arrives when the mind goes blank. It’s likely to be called writer’s block if you searched around the World Wide Web. But in reality, it’s not as serious as that.
Having nothing to write, or a blank mind is not a disease or psychological condition. It’s because you think that writing is magic, and everything comes to you on your own.
“It is just that some intellectual hood has covered your mind and blocked the arrival of ideas.”
And all you have to learn now is to become systematic. Yes, you can be systematic to write.
But where does that system begin?
It begins with reading. You are blank because you don’t read enough. It’s proven that reading digs down the ability to write.
In the foremost, I suggest you read quotes and understand their meaning as the starting dose. Quotes are the biggest source of ideas. They are so famous because they are something. You can also read the dreams of people. Read the creativity presented in novels. Understand the perspectives of the writer and the meaning in it.
But my dear fellow…….Read…Read…and Read….until you have questions ruling your mind. Curiosity, confusions, and questions will show you the track.
Now here comes another step in the writing system. Because you are the winner of the first part.
You have questions and confusions. That’s great! You can note them down. Your queries are of high value, and confusions can make you an expert.
But you still haven’t found the piece of a magnet for you. And it is what you shall do next?
To your question, the piece of the magnet is the part of your read that draws your attention. Not everything in the world is appealing to every person. You might find science interesting, but it doesn’t happen to everyone. Reading about sex life and personalized stories might touch you, but it might as well appeal many others. Even the health, fitness and personality development are appealing topics which find a huge audience.
Let your drive towards something like this be your “writing niche”.
It is your piece of magnet and it can be terribly unique. You will attract your readers with your uniqueness.
“I personally felt obliged writing simple life events of great personalities and have a good collection of it.“
Now that you have a niche, your confidence grows. All you need now is an initiation. You need an idea.
What if you already have it? You have noted down some of your questions and confusions right. You might as well have looked for answers, and they make a good base for your new creation. It is an idea; a great one indeed.
Now if you don’t have the answers, then it is time for research. They say “all the answers are on the internet”. But, does it?
Note: Do not entirely depend on the internet for the answers.
Internet might provide you answers, but it already exist there. You should be looking for something more than that. It is what makes you unique. An internet is not the contributor to the writer, but instead a writer is the contributor to the internet.
Are you in dilemma? Don’t! There are ways to creative answers.
Brainstorming is the best. Asking people about their opinion on something brings creative opinions. People have broader and unique perceptions, and you will love to write it. Even stupids can throw an opinion at you. The fun part here is that they don’t know how funny they are. For any technical terms, books as well can be an ideal source.
Also, decide which of the queries fall under your niche? Focusing on your piece of magnet keeps you motivated.
Keep in mind that nobody knows everything. The thing that you are curious about can exactly be what other people are thinking about? Believe in your idea. If only you can convince yourself of the topic; you can convince others.
Now the penultimate one in the process is what you already know. Jolt down every idea and opinion. Remember that even a word can solve a problem. Those words are sometimes equivalent to keystones.
So, journaling is next. Read this great article here about journaling by Thomas Oppong.
And finally, creating your first draft is of vital importance. All your hard work until now is to be implemented in drafting.
Note that you don’t waste your energy and time doing the following while preparing your first draft.
- Do not predetermine the titles. Use tentative titles that explain your idea and leave this important part until the draft takes a shape.
- Do not get stuck in the first sentence. The first sentence is important but is not the whole thing. Try writing the last sentence of your draft, and check whether it can be your first sentence. There is a good chance that it can be.
- Don’t doubt your idea. It is purely based on my personal experience, that the more I write, the more I begin to doubt if I am doing it right. It happens because you are a human being. You are not perfect, and it is completely okay if your words sound coarse. You have to focus on completing your work, after which your creation will sound much better.
So what’s the most important thing to do while drafting. It is to write the core ideas in the simplest way possible. Readers don’t want to read complicated phrases unless it is demanded as such. Meanwhile, take a step wise approach to clarify the idea you have. Separate paragraphs and sections wherever necessary.
Note that what you write is your idea, and I don’t know it already. What you have to say with your words can be of great value to your readers. Make it precise and clear as far as possible. Make sure that you read your story and share it with your dear ones.
I can already see that you have a great deal of writing ability. Keep your head high and take a long confident breath. You can do it if you begin it now.
Keep reading. Keep writing.