Getting Started with Writing
2023-02-15
I remember when I first started writing as an adult. I was in my early twenties, and I had just finished a creative writing course at college. The professor told us that the most important thing we could do to improve our writing was to write regularly. It sounded simple enough, but the reality of putting words on paper every day seemed daunting.
The first few weeks were tough. I’d set aside time each morning to work on my novel (I was writing a fantasy epic at the time), and more often than not, I’d stare blankly at the screen for hours before giving up in frustration. My first drafts were abysmal, clunky sentences, characters that felt like cardboard cutouts, and a narrative that meandered without purpose.
Looking back, it’s clear that I was trying to start from scratch. I had a vague idea of what I wanted to write about, but no real understanding of the process itself. It took several months for me to figure out my workflow, how to break down the story into manageable chunks, how to develop characters and plotlines, and most importantly, how to keep writing even when it felt like crawling through quicksand.
The turning point came when I realized that writing wasn’t about producing perfect prose on the first try. In fact, it’s rarely about that at all. Writing is a process of discovery, of figuring out what you want to say, and how best to say it. And it takes practice, of course.
I started by committing to write a short story each week. I’d give myself an hour to brainstorm ideas, another hour to outline the plot, and then a solid three hours to actually write the thing. It wasn’t always easy, sometimes I’d hit writer’s block within ten minutes, or struggle with self-doubt for most of the session. But gradually, I began to see progress.
One of my earliest breakthroughs was realizing that every word counts. When you’re starting out, it can be tempting to focus on grand gestures, showy metaphors, flowery descriptions, and sweeping narrative arcs. But more often than not, these attempts at style come across as forced or pretentious. A good piece of writing starts with simple, honest language.
That’s why I’ve always encouraged beginners to start small. Don’t try to tackle a sprawling epic novel right off the bat, instead, focus on short stories, flash fiction, even journal entries. These exercises will help you develop your craft without feeling overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the project.
Of course, there are no shortcuts when it comes to writing. Every writer faces their own unique struggles and triumphs. But if I had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, it would be this: don’t worry about being ‘good’ yet. Just focus on getting something down, a sentence, a paragraph, or even just a single word that you’re proud of.
The act of writing is transformative in ways both subtle and profound. It’s a chance to explore your own thoughts and feelings, to experiment with language and form, and ultimately, to create something from nothing.