What If I Am a Writing Frog?

In most cases, when you, guys, ask me what kind of job I would recommend you, one of the options is a profession of a writer. And in 80% of cases, I hear ‘What if I am a writing dummy?’ Not to repeat every time the same, I decided to answer you here :)

First of all, you have to mind that no professional writer was just born, and that's it. If we look at this question from the psychological angle, writing skill is always gained through the life. If you are not sure that you could show your best self in writing, it doesn't mean that you are ignorant; it means that you haven’t done anything to move off dead center.

So, what can be done to become a pro out of a dabster?

Read! It doesn't matter what books you prefer; you just have to read to see how thoughts are presented on paper. While reading, you will notice that your brain remembers everything that seems catchy to you.

Highlight! Get a highlighter and mark all the phrases and sentences that seem well-built. When you lack imagination and creativity to express your own thoughts, reread these highlighted sentences and they will surely inspire you!

Watch films! This is almost the same as books for every film has a written script that actors read, but you comprehend the plot aurally. Listen to how actors express their thoughts. In some films, you may even face the type of writing you suffer from.

Make notes! When reading a book, you highlight interesting thoughts, but in case of watching films, it would be beneficial to make notes! Write down everything that impresses you. It doesn't only concern films. Take a notebook always with you! You can't predict when a great thought will come :)

Personal tip: do not rely on your memory; you will definitely forget it!

Find a pen friend! Despite the fact that the most modern people communicate via social networks, post offices still offer their services. Do you have a dream to visit a country you have never been to? If yes, join the ‘postcrossers’ at Postcrossing.com. It is a network where people find pen friends from different countries and send each other postcards with greetings. Find here a person who shares your interests, and maybe one day they will invite you to visit them so your dream can come true ;) Again, this is also writing and you will have to do your best to make a person understand you.

Create a blog! There are a lot of platforms where you can create your own blog. Choose a topic you like most and off you go! Put a goal and write posts every week. This will definitely help you master your writing skills as well as become helpful for other people who are quite poor at your strong side.

Let me say it once again: “There are no poor writers, just those who haven't tried to master their skills. Next time when you want to ask “What should I do, I am a writing dummy?” Let this article answer your question.

Good luck, guys! I believe in you ;)

My Name’s Lily and I’m in Writer’s Support Group

Of course, there are writers in the world who can shape and develop their talents without any external help. And they are better on their own. Bust most of writers gather knowledge from the surrounding world: books, mentors and writing colleagues.

 There are numerous websites, Facebook pages, LinkedIn groups that share tips and guidelines on how to improve your writing quality and productivity and it seems that these people are real professionals with deep expertise in the field. And it’s really great because there is a mere part of information you can’t find nowadays (God bless the Internet). But what can you do when you happen to look for the answers and don’t come across them after all? That’s right! You ask questions.

From my experience being a member of previously mentioned communities in the web gives writers an advantage to stay relevant and know all the tendencies of the writing world. And it seems that these are the places where you can pose questions and get the answers. But frankly speaking, when I really needed some advice and guidelines, these were not my first aid post. I was shy and couldn’t make myself type a question and, to tell the truth, I was too afraid to appear stupid or incompetent in front of my colleagues. That was silly and I know this now. But back then, I was in search of help and that’s when I discovered special writer’s support groups. I got what I needed and most importantly, I overcame this barrier and started to ask questions without any hesitation.

Now there are many online resources like The Self-Doubting Writers Support Group where you can surf the forum pages and find the information you need (or better to say the confidence you lack) and start your own talk. Another helpful web site is Insecure Writer’s Support Group which offers various information and writing tips together with announcement of different relevant events. Also you can follow Writing Meetups and share your views or seek the answers in live communication.

As you can see there are loads of opportunities you can make use of and there is nothing shameful in the fact that you need help. It’s natural. So, push your fears aside and go for it! Maybe that’s the solution that will change your life.