Creative Writing: How to Begin

There's never a bad time to start writing - this is my honest and steadfast opinion. Anyone at any time in their lives can benefit from picking up the proverbial (or actual) pen. Writing fiction can be hugely cathartic and helpful, especially if you're going through a stressful or emotional period of your life. Of course, it can also be a fun hobby. So, if living through COVID-19 has left you in need of a hobby that you can undertake no matter where you are, creative writing could be the answer. Making little worlds of your own and bringing them to life is a form of magic beyond compare.

One of the things that I love most about writing is that there are very few, if any, 'rules' that cannot be bent or broken effectively. There are some things that you can do to ensure that you communicate your ideas clearly. These are my 5 favourite tips for those new to the craft!

5 Writing Tips for Total Beginners

"Good" writing is a pretty subjective term; what one person finds beautiful another may find flowery and inefficient. What another person finds practical may seem dull to the next. There is such a thing as efficient writing, however. Efficient and effective writing communicates the ideas and emotions in a story clearly. This is something every writer should aspire to!

If you're new to writing and you want to take steps to hone your creative skills to a fine edge, there are 5 pretty simple things that you should do at every opportunity.

1) Read, Read, Read

Read works of fiction, of course, both in the genre you like to write and outside of it, but more than this I urge you to read about writing. There are a number of books about the craft that vary in complexity and expertise levels but for true beginners, I have three solid recommendations:

• On Writing by Stephen King

• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

While there is no such thing as a 'definitive' text on writing, these three can impart pretty solid foundational knowledge when considered in conjunction with each other. The Elements of Style is particularly useful for building the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

2) Start Small

While it can be incredibly tempting to dive right into that novel idea that has been plaguing you, it's generally a better idea to start with small ideas and short stories. The learning curve you will undergo writing a novel is sharp and this can be hugely beneficial, of course, but I can tell you it will also be hugely stressful. Taking the time to write a few short stories before you dive into the deep end will let you practice the elements of plot and storytelling.

3) Be Ridiculous

I know the temptation to have every detail of a plot nailed down and meticulously explained before writing, but sometimes that can be detrimental. Fiction doesn't have to mirror reality; fiction can be ridiculous, weird, outlandish, or simply vague. Give yourself the permission to simply write without explaining the mechanics of it all - there will be time to add those details later. More than this, some stories do not need to have every detail explained; there is a certain joy to suspending disbelief and following a story to the end in good faith.

4) Say What You Mean

Many new writers fall into the trap of complexity for its own sake. This isn't the best course of action in most cases. Say what you mean to, in clear and concise terms; this will make sure that the reader understands you. Furthermore, when you do venture into more flowery prose and long, winding sentences, your readers will sit up and pay attention. Sentence length and rhythm are just as important as word choice in creating an atmosphere, after all.

5) Said is NOT Dead

If I could personally shake whoever coined the term "said is dead", I would. Dialogue tags are there to perform a basic function, and in the process of this, they should fade into the proverbial background. If your character exclaims, shouts, barks, squeals, and growls by turns, their conversations will begin to sound deranged. Save these descriptive tags for moments when you want the reader to have a strong sense of the emotions that your character is feeling at that time. Stick with said as much as possible to ensure that any deviation from this norm has meaning and impact.

Side Note: Practice Does Not Make Perfect

This old adage is a perpetual thorn in my side. Practice does not make perfect because there is no such thing as perfect. Instead, practice creates progress and refines skill. If you wait for perfect before you start to write and share your stories, you'll never do anything. So, by all means, practice, but don't wait for perfect.