Data shows there has been an uptick in writers.
49,410 writers worked in the US in 2021, up from 44,240 the year before.
If you want to become a writer and often wonder how to start writing, you’ve come to the right place.
I wrote this article to give writing advice to help you kickstart your writing career.
Let’s begin.
How To Start Writing
How does one become a writer?
Do you need a degree in literature or communications?
Are there specific qualifications?
Anyone can be a writer with sufficient dedication and drive.
An educational background in writing can help, but it isn’t necessary. What matters is learning how to clearly and creatively express a thought or idea in writing.
Writers don’t just inform—they also entertain and inspire. They educate in a way that makes sense and draws readers.
The most straightforward answer to anyone who wants to become a writer is to “just start.” However, many will find it easier said than done.
Why You Should Build Your Writing Skills
Learning how to write has many benefits. Here are some reasons becoming a good writer is helpful.
Career Opportunities
Writing is a high-demand skill in the professional world. The median annual salary of a writer in 2021 was $61,510.
Writing has many business applications. Companies hire writers to write the following types of commercial content.
- Blogs
- Website copy
- Social media captions
- Books
- Business modules
- Worksheets
- Video scripts
- Technical papers (ex., company manuals)
- Business proposals
- News stories
- Press releases
The beauty of writing is you don’t need a diploma or certification to start your career. The only thing you need is to write well.
Many other writers work and have successful writing careers without the proper educational background.
If you’re looking for an in-demand, high-paying industry, freelance writing could be your best bet.
You don’t have to be a full-time freelance writer—you can maintain a day job and moonlight as a professional writer.
Creative Expression
Writing can be fulfilling if you have a knack for telling stories.
Whether it’s writing fictional short stories or well-crafted feature articles, turning a vague idea into a compelling narrative or tale can feed the soul.
Furthermore, discovering your style and tone in writing is exciting when you’re a new writer. After all, a unique writing style can make you more effective and allow you to reel in audiences.
You will also achieve satisfaction once you become a better writer or an established freelancer.
Sharing Ideas
Many authors are well-known, influential people.
Consider how Stephen King and Neil Gaiman brought worlds to life through their written work. Their main characters and stories have entertained and inspired millions worldwide for decades.
How about the many self-help authors who inspire people to develop themselves? The leadership principles of bestselling Author John Maxwell changed how people live and lead.
Many people who want to write hope to positively impact their readers. Become an established writer, and you can share profound ideas that influence people.
What You Can Write
How do I write? You must first determine what you want to write to answer this question.
There are different types of writing that beginner writers can try.
Here are some of the most common forms of writing.
News Writing
News writing could be for you if you like bringing fresh news and content to readers.
The top news channels worldwide need journalists who can deliver factual news and stories.
Novice writers who like learning current events should consider being professional journalists.
Blog Writing
Millions of blog pages today cover a wide range of topics.
You can write for existing blog pages or create your own.
Here are some niches that lend themselves to blog writing.
- Travel
- Food
- Lifestyle
- Fashion
- Self Development
- Religion and Spirituality
- Parenting
- Business and Marketing
- Technology
- Work and Career
- Music
- Art
- Sports
Blog articles can educate and enrich others when done well.
Starting a personal blog if you’re a novice writer is a great way to improve.
Once you become a better writer, you can post articles as a guest blogger or ghostwriter for other established blogs and get paid.
Fiction Writing
Becoming a fiction writer can also be a promising career.
The US sold 825 million fiction books in 2021.
People who go into fiction writing can write novels, movie scripts, short stories, and more.
Here are some popular fiction genres.
- Romance
- Action
- Horror
- Fantasy
- Crime
- Suspense thriller
- Science fiction
- Historical fiction
Consider fiction writing if you enjoy world-building. You can develop a story and self-publish your first book.
One way you can make money after self-publishing your first book is by turning it into an audiobook and selling it on Amazon.
Many aspiring writers also take a ghostwriting route and write fiction stories for others.
Non-fiction Writing
If you like discussing fundamental life principles, teaching valuable skills, or sharing real stories, you may try writing non-fiction content.
Here are some non-fiction genres.
- Self-help books
- Memoirs
- Biographies
- Cookbooks
- Travel catalogs
- And more
A nonfiction author or writer has the power to move people to action. You can write books, co-author with someone, or help with another writer’s work.
You can write a book about starting a business if you’re a skilled entrepreneur. Your advice, real-life story, and experiences will benefit readers.
Don’t be afraid to share valuable information with the world.
Technical Writing
Technical writing can include business plans, operations manuals, and human resource guidelines. Learn how to become a technical writer if you don’t like creative writing.
New writers with a scientific or technical background can thrive in a technical writing role. For example, medical professionals can write scientific papers.
Technical writing might not be as artistic as writing a fictional story, but it serves an essential purpose.
Script Writing
If you like writing scripts, TV and movie directors and producers often look for an unknown scriptwriter to craft their next big hit.
If you practice writing scripts, you could start working with the following people.
- Filmmakers
- Course creators
- YouTubers
- Influencers
- Keynote Speakers
- Motivational Speakers
- Life Coaches
Other writers can create scripts for their content. To be a successful YouTuber, you also need to become a writer and develop your command of the written word.
Copywriting
Marketing copywriting involves writing content for sales and marketing purposes.
Here are some types of content copywriters make:
- Landing page copies
- Social media ad copies
- Email newsletters
- Sales scripts
- Product descriptions
Someone with impeccable copywriting skills can command a high price for their work since they help a company or brand generate sales.
Writing Tips
The key to becoming a better writer (or even a great writer) is starting the proper habits that improve your writing process and output.
Here are some tips to enhance your writing skills.
Read, Read, and Read.
One of the best writing tips I can give you is to read more.
Reading other writers’ works is the best way to expose yourself to new ideas, content, and perspectives. Read a new book as often as you can.
Reading allows you to learn new words and expressions that spruce up your writing.
Start with books that resonate with you. If you like writing self-help books, read a new one monthly—or even weekly if you can manage it.
You don’t also have to limit yourself to reading books. You can also read other forms of content.
Read articles, news pieces, magazines, and more. Even reading a blog post or two each day can help.
Develop a Regular Writing Time and Build a Fixed Work Space.
When you become a writer, you’ll realize how much your workspace and schedule matter.
The challenge of writing is no one dictates your schedule. Often, you’re compensated for your results— whether it’s a per-word output or the number of materials you publish.
Writing whenever you have free time will not push you to become a writer. You need consistency and discipline.
Develop a strict writing discipline and stick to a fixed time for writing. Having a specific space for writing is also beneficial.
Determine when in the day you do your best writing and stick to that schedule.
You don’t need to always stay connected—it helps to disconnect from social media when you write.
Give yourself more space to think by putting a margin around your writing schedule. Don’t jump straight into writing when you just came off a busy meeting or a long drive. Allow your mind to get in the zone before writing your first sentence.
You should also allocate time for writing exercises. Starting a writing routine that includes exercises can help you churn out content quickly, especially if you’re in freelance writing.
Use Writing Prompts
Remember when you started writing and struggled with writer’s block? This dilemma can often feel like a dead end.
One of the best tips I can give to beat writer’s block with writing prompts.
A writing prompt is a writing tool to help you focus on a writing topic. The best writers in the industry use it to jumpstart a writing window.
Writing prompts can help you get out of a funk.
Here are some helpful writing prompts.
- Write about your favorite childhood vacation.
- Turn one of the last texts you sent into a story.
- Add an original scene to the last movie you watched.
- Write about a recent moment when you felt happy.
- Look outside your window and create a story from what you see.
- Write about a time you felt stressed and worried.
- Write about your first job.
- Write about what you want to be five years from now.
- Write about your dream vacation or wedding.
- An island rose from the sea.
- Out of the ashes rose a hero.
- The whales grew feet.
- I open the last book on earth.
Set Writing Goals.
Another essential writing tip is to set goals.
To become a writer, you’ll need to learn to manage yourself, set deadlines, and create milestones.
When you establish objectives, break them down into smaller milestones.
For example, if your goal is to finish 10,000 words in the first chapter of a book in a few weeks (two), break it down to 1,000 words a day. You’ll hit your target in ten days instead of 14.
Whether you’re freelance writing or writing full-time, meeting deadlines and professional goals are crucial.
To be goal-driven, you don’t need professional experience because even a new writer can set goals.
Avoid Perfectionism
Becoming a writer is a journey, and progress will take time.
If it’s your first time writing, don’t pressure yourself into becoming a prolific writer overnight. Set small, easily achievable goals.
Even seasoned writers know the first draft is never the final one. If you don’t feel that you’re writing in its best form, just keep writing.
You can always revisit and polish. Find a writing community and surround yourself with fellow writers who can give you constructive feedback and help you improve.
Publish Your Content
When you become a writer who writes for others, it’s easy to get lost in other ideas. So, keep a rhythm of doing your own writing.
To make sure you are publishing your own content with no traces of replication with anyone else’s ideas, you must ensure its uniqueness using an online plagiarism checker. If there’s plagiarism, you will need to make it unique. And only after ensuring the uniqueness, can you call blogs, articles, poems, and content of your own. Here are some places you can post blog content:
- Your own website
- Medium
- A free course
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, the writing tips and advice I gave you will help you start your journey, no matter what type of writing you prefer. I want to do my best to help aspiring writers like you, so consider this guide a free course on writing.
