Help to the new writers

Help to the new writers

by Moqheeta Mehboob

Language is a unique skill we humans possess. We are constantly using language. Either mentally, verbally or in writing.

There are plenty who have mastered the art of presenting the thoughts in the form of speech, whereas some are more proficient at pouring out the thoughts on paper.

 

Today we will look at the common hiccups faced by novice writers.

(To read on why everyone should take up writing, read the article https://edutopm.blogspot.com/2022/11/seven-reasons-why-people-should-write.html )

 

Writing is a great hobby plus a very useful skill. There are many who want to write and take up writing as a regular activity.

 

‘I want to write. I need to write. I have to write’.

 

Most of the budding writers tell this to themselves multiple times in a day. But somehow they don’t manage to sit down to complete the task. Call it procrastination, lack of zeal or lack of confidence, maybe a mixture of all these.

 

Today we will identify the common reasons that impede a novice writer from reaching his writing target. And we will find solutions to those hiccups.

1. Gadget distraction

Switch off the WiFi. No messages or videos in between the typing. Even if we get stuck with a choice of better word or sentence structure, we should just type away whatever comes to our mind and later we can try to better the work.

 2. Snacks can wait

 

 

No coffee or snacks during the writing time. Even a cup of tea with a biscuit in hand can make one lose a train of thoughts. Sometimes we find the tea isn't sweet enough; sometimes it’s not hot enough, the biscuits make the hands sticky. All these unnecessary additions only act as a major distraction. So no to any eatables during the writing time.

3. Uninterrupted writing

Avoid frequent and unnecessary revision of the work until it is complete. Many times, our own typing discourages us from writing further. Only after we have drained our minds of all that we wanted to write, should we go to recheck our work. At first we should be the writer, and then later we can become the editor but multitasking both the roles simultaneously isn’t going to prove very productive.

4. Let’s maintain distance

 Always choose a place away from people, especially known people. It doesn't necessarily have to be a quiet place because sometimes it’s hard to find such spots, but one should definitely find a spot where no one knows us and we do not know anyone. It will help us stay focused and will not require us to engage in little talk or big discussions.

5. Early editing

Avoid correcting spelling or typing mistakes in the middle of the writing. Proofreading can be done later.

6. No Hello

Avoid phone calls that can be avoided. You anyway wouldn’t be writing during your work hours or study hours. One sits for leisure writing only in their spare time. So usually the phone calls at those hours will be from family and friends and can be returned later. 

7. Examiner’s role

Read the work again after a month’s gap or so. This will help one read from a reader's perspective and aid in seeing the gaps or overlaps. One can become his own best critique.

 

Having set the little rules, let us establish some practices, which will test our determination.

1. Write on any topic.

Write anything that comes to the mind. It could vary from food to fashion - skills to strategies. It could be about work or the world. Do not limit the writing practice to just one area.

2. Little or more

Write anything in between 100-400 words a day. Believe me the sound of the keys under your fast moving finger tips will be like music. The sentences scrolling up will make you feel good and above all the freedom of not writing anything structured will give you the freedom and the confidence to click clack a few more lines.

3. Make friends

Increase the circle of writer friends. Find out their struggles and reasons behind their successes. Make friends with people who are motivated and disciplined.

 4. Up on the wall

 An age old practice to meet the targets is to set clear deadlines and put them up where they are easily visible. The human mind is forgetful or simply lazy. It needs reminders, training, push and fear of consequence. Write as many reminders as needed and put them at different places in the house or workplace.

5. Hello Partner

Make an accountability partner, a writing buddy, who will help us stay motivated and on the track.

6. Criticise

Also find a good and honest critic of our work. Writeups that we might feel to be outstanding might be rubbish for the readers. And what we feel to be a pathetic piece of work might be of great interest to people. So finding an honest and knowledgeable reviewer is very important.

7. Become a bookworm

Read other people's work - work similar to ours. When experts suggested that we should read everyday in order to write, I failed to understand what to read. In this confusion I chose books that were too mature for me. I now realise, just like my writing, I should keep my reading choice also simple and related.

 

With this clarity and rules in place, it looks like we are ready to start. We will write without drawing a very rigid boundary around our writing. We will allow our writing to take any direction it wants to on that particular day.

I am a growing writer, so would welcome more suggestions from you all. And if there are people like me out there, I hope this little piece assures you that I am just like you, but we can move forward.

I wish all the very best to myself and to all the writers like me out there.