Writing is an art and takes much patience. The first thing you need to do is find your own voice. Anything that you read has its own style of writing and it is up to you to find your own style or voice. Now what does having your own voice mean exactly? It had me stumped. Did I have a voice? I did not know. I found out that it was being able to speak in your own language in your own way whether witty or serious. It takes time to find your own voice and a lot of practice writing. As you continue writing, it becomes more natural and less labored, that is when you know you have found your own voice.

That brings up, how often should you write? Some authors put in multiple hours each day. However, others, who have a full-time job, recommend 5 hours a week. This means devoting a writing time on your weekends. If you do not have that luxury, it may mean getting up at five in the morning twice a week. Usually, if you put it off until the evening after work, you end up too tired that is of course is unless you are a night owl. Only you know when your best writing times are. The important part is setting up a schedule for you to write and sticking to it no matter what. If you are really determined to write, you will do this.

Where do you write? Some people have the luxury of having a computer room. However, even if you don’t, it can be done at the dining room table. It should be a place where there are no distractions. There should be no television, no telephone calls, and no one knocking at your door. There should be no children bothering you every five minutes. This should be a serene place where you are not driven to distraction to constantly do other tasks other than writing. You have to be able to put everything aside and be able to be with yourself and your writing instrument, whether it is a computer or a special ink pen and paper. I do not say pencil because you want the words flowing. Mistakes are for when you write a second or third draft-whether it be ten drafts. The original writing is important as it can further you to write more. It may be an impetus for a new article, chapter, book idea, etc. You may find that it adds nothing to your script and you want to tuck that idea away for another day.

What do you write? That is up to the individual. What are your interests? What do you know about? What do you want to find more about? Can you draw from your past? Do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? Who is your audience? Where would you like to see yourself published? These are all questions to consider. You may try different genres on your own and at first write for yourself and see what comes out. Keep writing no matter how ridiculous it sounds. Write it over and over until you get it to say just what you want it to say. Write to write for your eyes only and be happy in the moment as you write. If you start enjoying what you write, eventually, someone else will like what you write. It is trial and error-a lot of error at first. However, you do not know unless you try.

The most important thing any writer will tell you to do is read, read, and read some more. Get a feel for the words of others to stimulate your juices. See how they create characters, scenes, plots, or how they get their point across. Following the above will get you started writing even if it is for your eyes only.