It’s writing season again!
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is in full swing again, a chance to final finish (or start) that novel that has always been swimming in your head. If you are like me, you may sometimes find yourself lacking the conviction or the drive to focus on your writing. So here are five helpful writing tips that will have you working on the next bestseller:
Schedule a Writing Hour
I have started doing this and it has been very helpful for me. Scheduling certain times to get your writing time allows you to be organized and gives you structure in your busy life. I know there are meme’s and jokes about “gluing” yourself to the computer during NaNoWriMo, however, we know that is not a realistic interpretation. Booking a couple of hours in a day should be suffice enough. Use your phone or Google calendar to alert you that way you can prepare yourself and remove yourself from any distractions.
Write (or Right) From The Heart
You know the old saying: write what you know. So that is my advice to you…use real life experiences , a subject that highly interests or a subject you know so much about. This is a chance for the world to see the real you. it is not going to help anyone, including yourself, if you are going to be fake in your writing.
A Blank Notebook is Your Best Friend
For most creative people, ideas are always swimming around in the mind that it can be hard to keep track of them sometimes. That is why I like to carry a notebook and a pen with me all the time. That way if I am taking a walk or I hear something that I think it would make a good story, I can just jot it down. The days of lost thoughts are lost with this handy tip!
Stop Comparing 
I am guilty of doing this so don’t feel bad. Stop comparing yourself to other authors. Every writer has their own unique style and now is the time to discover your own. Stop worrying if you are not going to be the next James Patterson or Danielle Steele. I mean, do you really want to be? There is already one of them in the writing world. The world is looking for a new you. Your unique….own it.
Own Your Fear…Don’t Let It Own You
We are all afraid of something when it comes to our writing, fear of sharing, fear of acceptance. And sometimes, that fear becomes so crippling, it can stifle our creativity. Try not to think of your writing so much as a job, but don’t think of it as a hobby either. Think of it as a peaceful way of getting your thoughts on paper. But, I am not going to lie to you. There will be times, while writing, you’ll get frustrated and wonder what you’re wondering is right. It’s common to second guess yourself but don’t let that prevent you from reaching your full potential.
Discover more from cup of tea with that book, please
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I’m so guilty of comparing myself with others 😶 it used to be difficult to find a healthy balance between envy and inspiration but every writer has started somewhere. Very nice tips
These are all such good tips. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting. Thanks for sharing!
“Try not to think of your writing so much as a job, but don’t think of it as a hobby either”
Great advise, but such a difficult balance to achieve.
These are great tips, thanks. And I totally agree about the notebook, too. I love carrying a notebook with me, but so often when I need it, I realize I don’t have it with me and end up using my phone instead. I have so many notebooks started and folders on my phone. And yet I’m always somehow excited to break open a brand new notebook. Funny how that works, isn’t it.