5 quick tips to start writing
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” — Ernest Hemingway
This understanding will give us the much-needed courage to put pen on paper. If deciding on the broad focus area of your write-up is exacting, making a start could be even more grueling. One of the biggest challenges that most of the writers face is to pen the first few words of their writing — it could be any type of writing — academic, professional, scholarly, fictional, blogs etc.
Here is an attempt to help out thousands of writers like me who struggle to make a beginning.
i. You are not alone!
“Sometimes strength comes in knowing that you are not alone” — Lukestrong.
First, take heart from the fact that you are not alone and second, that the struggle is temporary. Once you have a rough sketch or a framework to build up, words and ideas will flow seamlessly to give expression to your ideas.
ii. Start your writing with a quotation:
Quotations can
a. lend a fresh voice
b. place your ideas in perspective
c. provide a confident beginning
iii. Make a beginning:
Remember the idiom “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Just jot down everything that comes to your mind about your topic — the polishing can be done later because you are now in the act of creating! You can come up with the rest later, and many of us are in the habit of writing the Introduction last.
iv. Mind map your ideas:
This is very important because this approach gives you the double advantage of having a visual representation of your thoughts as well as help you arrive at the most appropriate structure for your write-up. This will provide you with the essential framework to build on.
v. Christen your baby!
This is the most interesting and vital duty of a writer — one that encourages you to complete your writing. Remember that an attractive, apt title is as important as good content and can lure readers easily. Now that you have made a start, focus on the title. Write down several options so that you can choose the best when you have completed the write-up. Your title should be
a. representative of the content
b. effective
c. unique
d. attractive
With all this in place, you have the necessary tools to ignite your passion for writing. Charge ahead to give expression to your thoughts and ideas!
Happy Writing!
