Many beginner writers wonder whether they must fulfill specific requirements before they are qualified to write a book. They debate getting some kind of a writing degree, whether it be in an MFA, a degree in creative writing, or a degree in journalism.

Now, there are plenty of writers out there who do have an MFA or a degree in journalism or a degree in some other kind of writing related field, but without a doubt, you do not NEED any of those degrees to be a writer.

There are two important credentials you should fulfill in order to be a writer:

1. You must have the love of story and storytelling. If you enjoy reading stories–and that’s both fiction and non-fiction, by the way–then that’s one credential you already have.

2. You must have the desire to learn how to do it properly. That doesn’t mean your learning has to be done in a classroom setting. Reading posts (like this one!) is one way of learning your craft. There are plenty of other resources out there, from books, to websites, to conferences, to podcasts, to online courses.

One of the best ways for you to learn how to write is to do a lot of reading. If you’re not reading in the genre that you love, then you’re probably not prepared to write in that genre. If there’s a book on your heart that you want to write, then you might consider “studying” that genre by reading several books that are similar. If you are not reading thrillers, then you probably aren’t familiar with them enough for you to begin writing one. Similarly, if you are somebody who wants to write nonfiction, you really should do your research on what the industry standards are for that type of nonfiction. Read books that are similar to yours and see how they are structured so that you can get a grasp on how your readers will expect your book to be structured and how they will expect your information to be presented.

By reading, you not only learn the industry standards of the genres, but you also pick up the different styles of the writers who have come before you, those who have been doing this for a while. So, no matter what genre you want to write in, make sure you are reading widely in that genre.

The other way for you to really learn how to write is to practice. Now, there are two different ways for you to practice. The first way is copy work. If there’s a book or story that excites or inspires or interests you, then copy (by hand or typing at your keyboard) a couple of pages from that work. The idea is that the more you do this, the more you will internalize those fantastic writing styles that inspired you.

(It goes without saying that this is a writing exercise and you should never attempt to pass copy work off as your own creation. Plagiarism is illegal and unethical, but copying the work as part of your own training, for your own private purposes, is fine.)

The second form of practicing is simply to sit and write. When you keep practicing writing, when you stick to it and make it a priority, then your writing improves, especially if you are reading alongside your writing.

Anybody can be a writer. Continue to foster your love of story by reading and practicing your writing, and investing your time and energy in resources that help you hone your craft. Show up for yourself in these ways, and before you know it you’ll be embracing your writer identity.

The truth is that some feedback you’ll receive will be very useful--it will truly help you improve as a writer--and some will be utterly useless. And the truth is that *most* of the useless feedback is positive. For example, “This was a great book!” or “I love this author!” Those are wonderful sentiments, and every author LOVES to hear them! But while they are great for our egos, they do nothing for our writing.
Negative feedback, on the other hand, while it may feel like a punch in the face, is really the best thing for a writer. Here are some examples:
* The main character didn’t seem believable.
* The writer spent too much time describing settings/details.
* The secondary plot was underdeveloped.
* The order of events left me confused.
* The dialogue was realistic, but boring.

A writer can sit with each of these statements and analyze how she can make specific changes to improve her writing.

So don’t get discouraged if at any stage of your writing process you receive negative feedback. Know that, while it may hurt now, it really is in your (and your book’s!) best interest.
-
-
-
-
#writingcoaching #writingcoach #bookcoach
#writingservices #womenwriters #womenwritersofinstagram
#womenwhowrite #womenauthors #femaleauthors #writingtip
#writingtipsandtricks #writingadvice
#writersofig #authorsofig #writingcommunity
#writingcommunityofinstagram
#writerslifestyle #amwritingfiction
#womensupportingwomen #developmentaleditor
#editor #writinghelp #manuscriptcritique

@author.hend

There is lots of controversy surrounding the legitimacy of writer’s block, but I’m not going to argue for or against it here. Whether or not writer’s block is a real phenomenon is inconsequential; the truth is, all writers eventually find themselves at a point where they feel unable to proceed, where they are unsure of the direction to take their piece, or they run out of ideas completely, or they simply feel deflated by a lack of external validation, and these feelings reflect as creative obstacles. In this article I will share some techniques to help you overcome whatever is preventing you from getting those words down.

While our emotional state doesn’t appear to be directly related to our creative ability, the truth is that if our emotional state is disturbed, our entire being is affected. We are affected physically and mentally, and consequently, creatively. Such emotional chaos can overwhelm us to the point of paralysis; we are not able to reason or work or think about anything clearly.  

Even if the underlying cause of your emotional distress cannot be easily removed or fixed, there are still ways for you to clear this internal chaos, so that you can again begin to create:

1. Write in your journal. Release your pent up anger or fear or anxiety or sadness onto pages that you know are safe from prying eyes. Let the words—or drawings or doodles—go where they need to. Sometimes the physical act of getting words on paper releases you, even if you begin by not knowing what to say or quite what’s bothering you.

2. Write a letter. This works similarly to the concept of journaling, but I find that letter writing offers greater relief. Address the letter to the person who hurt you, to the one you’re missing, to the loved one who has passed. To someone you’re mourning, even if that is you. It could be a letter to God. Or to a concept: to your success, your dreams, your failures, your goals, your fears. Writing a letter helps put the emotions out of you. It helps to organize them so that you can review and analyze them, and thus think (and create!) more clearly. Even if the letter is to an actual person, you don’t have to send it; often penning it is enough to release the turmoil inside of you.

Regardless of whether or not the barrier to your writing flow is emotional, the following techniques can help you overcome that barrier:

1. Go for a walk, especially outdoors. Physical activity gets blood pumping to all areas of your body, including, of course, your brain, helping to stimulate thoughts and creativity. The fresh outdoor air—the sights, sounds and smells of nature—provide you with a sense of serenity while simultaneously connecting you with a larger purpose, provoking inspiration and direction.

2. Read. Reading in your genre can help inspire you. Immersing yourself in someone else’s creativity can often spur your own. Reading in your craft can help increase your knowledge and elevate your style, which will in turn widen your mindspace to allow you to create.

3. Remind yourself of your purpose. One of the main methods of remaining committed to your writing is remembering the intention you had when you began the piece, acknowledging how it will affect your readers, and realizing how much they will gain from it. Take time to reconnect with this intention.

4. Check your mindset. At this point, your mindset may be your biggest enemy. If you find yourself doubting yourself, or doubting your piece, then of course you will eventually get stuck. Like begets like, so if you keep cultivating negative thoughts, you will keep reaping negative results. “I can’t do this,” or “who am I to do this,” or “this task is too big,” or “I can’t write a book,” or “who am I to have a goal of bestseller status” are all thoughts that set you up for failure. I can not stress enough the importance of a positive mindset! The great thing about it is that it can be learned. When we repeat positive statements about ourselves and our work, we eventually begin to believe them. Not only that, but we take steps to actualize them. So even if you don’t believe those affirmation yet, keep repeating them to yourself. Keep saying them over and over, day after day, until eventually you find that they are indeed your own beliefs. This positive mindset will help you stay committed to your writing goal, remain focused on the result, and thus, help you to achieve it.

In Part 2 of this series, I’ll be discussing techniques that can help you maneuver crossroads and dead ends in your work. Make sure to tune in next week!

If you’re interested in working with me as your writing coach, fill in this form and we can schedule your complimentary session.

Artists of all kinds can spend their lifetimes being unappreciated. They can create piece after piece, only to have them sit unsold, uncared for. We've heard this story a million times. But the story that is less narrated is how those artists cope. The truth is that artisans generally (not always, but generally) yearn to share their work with an audience. They see beauty or serenity or clarity in their pieces, and they want to share these expressions with the world, to make it more beautiful, more peaceful, more clear. So what happens when that artist isn't able to do so? Or worse, what happens when that artist hears--often from people who claim to support her--that her work is a waste of time? That it is useless? That she should give it up and exert her time in more beneficial causes, like orphan advocacy, or cancer research, or environmental advocacy? What happens to her then?

Of course it depends on the personality of the artist. Some become discouraged. Some may even become so discouraged that they give up their craft, abandon it, and maybe even pretend like it was never a part of them to begin with. And they move on, to more normalized, more acceptable endeavors.

Some become depressed, feeling their work is unjustly attacked, feeling dismissed. These negative emotions can build so intensely that they send the artist into mental health and/or addiction problems. Because, quite frankly, no one enjoys the feeling of not being seen.

And some artists manage to hold onto themselves. They manage to say to all those who do not appreciate them, "My craft is important no matter what you think." And they continue. And maybe one day they find an appreciative audience, and maybe they never do. But they refuse to let the world dictate their worth. They refuse to listen to anyone who tells them their work is unimportant. They refuse to let the world kidnap them from who they truly are.

I encourage you to be the latter. The one who may not receive validation from others, but who knows her art has a place in this world, even if that place remains for her alone.

Protect your craft, because it is a part of you. Protect it because one day it could be someone else's saving grace.

I don't think anyone would doubt that orphan advocacy and cancer research are--on the scale of life and death importance--higher up than art, in all its forms. But there are people who find themselves in that work. There are people who have a passion to make waves in those fields. And we commend them. But why not allow each person to focus on what fulfills them, whatever that may be? Because even though cancer research is more vital than making art, cancer patients find peace and hope in art. They need it, in a way that is different from how they need their treatments.

There is a saying in Arabic which translates to "Give the dough to the baker." It means each person should do the work that she is skilled at, that she excels at, that she enjoys. By doing so, we can address the issues of the world in a more wholesome manner.

Be the artist who stays true to herself no matter who opposes her. Be the artist who creates pieces that affect and inspire others, so that humanity can constantly be working to make positive changes in the world.

Be that artist even if you are your only audience. Our world will be a better place for it.