Six Tips I Wish I Knew as an Aspiring Writer

Having published eight books, I no longer consider myself an aspiring writer, but it wasn't long ago that I was struggling to find my voice. I came a long way and learned a lot and if I could turn back time, I would do a lot of things differently. If you're still figuring things out, I hope my blog post will shed some light on the writing life.

So here’s what I wish I knew when I started writing because I believe that a lot of writers are still attempting to find their voice and their writing process.

When I first started to write fantasy, I imagined epic sagas, complex magic, and vivid characters. I never lacked ideas and inspiration. I had these stories in my head, and plot twists and magic.

What I didn’t have was any clue of how to get it all down on paper — how to take the spark of an idea and transform it into something coherent. It didn’t take me long to realize that writing is more than stringing words together. I needed to see the bigger picture, to know my characters and where I was going with my story. I’m not going to lie, writing my debut novel was an interesting journey of self-discovery.

Forget Me Not took six years to complete, but that’s because I gave up on it many times. Please don’t let that dissuade you. If take one thing from my story, let it be that no matter how many times I gave up, I got back to writing, to finish what I started. And if you need another encouragement, know that the first book was the hardest to write, but I promise you, it gets easier and faster with each book.

So, I’m going to share some of the struggles I faced as a beginner writer and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or feeling a bit lost, I hope my experiences can help and let you know that you’re not alone in this.

Figuring Out Your Writing Process

One of the first hurdles I had to overcome was figuring out my writing process. If you’re anything like me, you probably thought you’d just sit down, think about the story, and the words would flow like magic. I didn’t really have a plan. All I had was a scene and an idea of what I wanted to happen next. I thought I would figure the rest along the way.

Turns out, the magic doesn’t happen quite that easily. Some days, writing felt like pulling teeth. And what I didn’t realize in the beginning was that writing processes vary wildly from one person to the next.

I spent a lot of time searching for advice on how to write. Some people swore by outlining every chapter before they wrote a single word. Others claimed the best stories came from discovery writing, where you sit down with nothing but an idea and let the story unfold as you type.

Well, I tried both methods and failed miserably at each. I’d start outlining and lose interest halfway through. I’d sit down to write by the seat of my pants and end up with a tangled mess of plot threads.

Here’s what I’ve learned: There is no one right way to write. Some writers swear by their preferred method and present it like the holy grail of writing. But just because something works for them, it doesn’t mean it will work for you.

You need to find what works for you. Some writers thrive with detailed outlines and character arcs mapped out. Others flourish when they allow the story to evolve on its own. I eventually found a middle ground — outlining just enough to give me a roadmap, but leaving enough room for creativity to surprise me along the way.

I don’t know why, but when I have a very detailed outline (which is supposed to speed up the writing process), I tend to stray from them and need to redo them. That’s a lot of work and a lot of wasted time. But some writers are good at sticking to the plan, so I’m not criticizing their process.

It’s a lot of trial and error until you figure out what works best for you. And even when you do, your process will probably evolve. Mine did, and it’s still changing. Don’t be afraid to try different approaches. Maybe you’ll discover that writing in short bursts works best for you, or perhaps writing in long, uninterrupted sessions is the way your brain gets into gear.

Experiment until you find what clicks, and be open to the idea that your process might shift depending on the story, your mood, or where you are in life.

We all start from scratch.

When I began writing, my first draft was almost perfect. I thought the prose would flow splendidly (because that’s how it felt in my head), the plot would be tight, and all I had to do was run a spell checker and proofread it. Boy, was I wrong.

My first drafts were clumsy, full of plot holes, and written in a style that was nowhere near as entertaining as I’d hoped. There were times when I felt like giving up, convinced that I didn’t have what it took to be a writer.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me: It’s okay to suck at first. You should expect it. No one starts out great. Even the best-selling authors were once where you are now — writing messy first drafts, getting frustrated, and doubting their abilities. Writing is a skill, just like any other, and it improves with practice.

The only way to get better is to keep writing. Practice, practice, practice. That’s the only secret there is. I’ve often heard people say, “You can’t edit a blank page,” and it’s true. Even if your first draft feels like a disaster, it’s something you can work with. Each story you write will teach you something new — about pacing, about characters, about how to convey emotion or build tension. So, adjust your mindset to this:

“Every first draft is perfect because all the first draft has to do is exist. It’s perfect in its existence. The only way it could be imperfect would be to NOT exist.” — Jane Smiley.

The more you write, the better you’ll get. The key is to push through the self-doubt and keep going, even when the words feel awkward, and the story seems to fall apart. You grow as a writer by writing through the struggle. Over time, you’ll notice that the things that once tripped you up become easier. Your voice will become stronger, your storytelling sharper, and your confidence in your craft will grow.

Advice Overload: Picking What Works for You

I was overwhelmed at first because there was just so much advice online — too much. If you’ve ever searched “how to write a novel,” you’ll know what I mean. There’s a staggering amount of guidance out there — everything from plotting techniques to character development tips, to advice on world-building and pacing. Everyone has their own opinion on what makes a good story, and it can be daunting trying to figure out which advice to follow.

The truth is, the only good advice is the advice you actually use. You don’t have to follow every tip or rule you come across. Writing isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. What works for one writer might not work for you, and that’s okay. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest behind.

For example, some writers say you should write every day — don’t break the chain. Others believe in writing in concentrated bursts, taking time off in between to recharge. Neither is wrong.

What matters is what works for you and your life. Maybe you have a busy schedule and can only write on weekends. Maybe you’re most productive writing for thirty minutes every morning before work. Consistency is key, but how you define that consistency is entirely up to you.

There’s no one right way to write a novel. As long as you’re putting in the time and effort, you’re doing it right.

The Myth of “Writing Every Day”

Speaking of writing every day — this is one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll hear. And while I agree that writing regularly is important for improving your craft, I don’t believe that you need to write every single day to be successful. Sometimes, that mindset can hinder progress.

For me, writing in bursts has always worked better. I might go days or even weeks without putting words down, but then I’ll have a stretch where I write intensely for hours every day. And that’s okay.

Some writers need a daily routine to stay on track, while others need time between writing sessions to let ideas percolate. The important thing is consistency — but consistency doesn’t have to mean daily.

If you force yourself to write when you’re not feeling it, the words might come out stilted, or worse, you’ll burn yourself out. But if you find a rhythm that works for you — whether that’s daily, weekly, or even monthly — you’ll be able to maintain a sustainable writing practice.

Reading in Your Genre: The Secret Tip

One thing I underestimated when I started was the value of reading within the genre I wanted to write. I loved fantasy and devoured books as a reader, but I didn’t quite connect how important it was to study those books from a writer’s perspective. I just got lost in the stories.

If you’re writing fantasy (or any genre), you need to be intimately familiar with what readers expect. Reading in your genre is one of the best ways to learn the conventions, tropes, and pacing that define it. It's where you'll learn about world-building and character development in compelling stories. It’s like a masterclass in writing, right there on the page. So now when I read a story, I do so analytically and take notes whenever I come across something I want to replicate in my writing.

And while reading within your genre is necessary, I’d also encourage you to read outside of it. Some of my favorite writing techniques come from genres I don’t even write in. You can find inspiration everywhere, and cross-genre reading will make your work richer and more nuanced.

Read the full article on Medium.