So you want to be a writer? 5 tips to start.

Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash

I have published 9 books, and I sell them at our local craft market. I love interacting with all the people who stop by, and there is always at least one person who asks me about how to be a writer. Here are the 5 basic steps that I tell them.

Every book or article needs a why. Your why is your goal and your motivation. Your why will keep you writing when you start to question your ability to write, and whether the time you are devoting to the task is wasted effort.

I have four children’s books. I wrote them to be a legacy for my grandson, Parker. I want him to look back on the books and realize how loved he was. My husband loves it because not many children can say they have four children’s books about them when they present at show and tell.

My why for my self-help books was because of all the need and hurt I see around me. I wanted to write something that offered comfort and encouragement.

What is your plan? Your plan is your how. How will you take your ideas and put them on paper? There isn’t a right or wrong way to do this. My dad used to have a recorder in his car, and he would record any thoughts he had when he wasn’t where he could write them down. I usually use a whiteboard to write down my ideas and a loose outline.