| Tips for your writing journey So, you'd like to be a | | | | you're living out of the area, the library may require a |
| writer? Congrats! Writing not only is a great way to | | | | fee for membership. The book you're looking for |
| express you, but can provide an income. Keep in | | | | may not always be at your local library; however |
| mind not all writers make a fortune, some still can't | | | | libraries borrow from other libraries in and out of |
| quit their day job. Below are some tips to start your | | | | state. The method of receiving outside books is |
| writing journey. 1. Start Writing Okay, so this tip is | | | | called Inter-Library Loan. Later on, if you find the |
| obvious. For some, it's a question of what to write | | | | book to be a great resource, you may be able to |
| about, for others how to write. Write how and what | | | | purchase a used copy online. 4. Researching The |
| you want. What kind of books do you like to read? | | | | Internet is also another good resource for |
| Fiction, Mystery, science fiction, how to books? How | | | | information. Keep in mind that not every resource |
| about articles, reports, maybe you're interested in | | | | you find online is going to be an honest good |
| journalism. Whatever the case may be, to get your | | | | resource. It will take time to sort out which websites |
| creative juices flowing, start writing! Don't worry | | | | are useful. Most information is free, so you can sit |
| about how it sounds, grammar or other mistakes, | | | | back and research in the comfort of your home. If |
| you can go back to fix these. 2. Join online and offline | | | | you don't have a computer with Internet access, |
| groups/message boards and chats If you already | | | | check your local library and see if you can use one of |
| know what you want to write about, consider joining | | | | theirs. 5. Workshops Workshops taught by experts is |
| writer groups at your local library, or online groups, | | | | a great way to learn from the professionals, but only |
| along with message boards and chats. It's a great | | | | if you can afford it! Make sure the topic of the |
| way to network with other writers and published | | | | workshop is based around your interest. For instance, |
| authors. It's also a good place to share your work | | | | if you love fiction...it wouldn't be a good idea to go to |
| and receive feedback. Many places online are free to | | | | a workshop based only on non-fiction. It's a good |
| join, some require a membership which usually consist | | | | idea to register early to ensure a spot at the event. |
| of a user name, e-mail address and password for | | | | Bring a new legal pad, plus a few writing tools to |
| your user name. Some request more information | | | | take notes. 6. Contests After writing a while, you |
| such as a name, address and sometimes phone | | | | may want to enter contests. Some require an entry |
| number. 3. The Library You've probably heard about | | | | fee. I suggest staying away from the entry fee |
| some books that writers refer to; this could be | | | | contests until you've entered some other free ones. |
| writer markets, e-book publishing, self publishing and | | | | That way you can get a feel for how contests work. |
| generally how to improve your writing. But what do | | | | Spend some time writing and re-writing your entries. |
| you do when you can't afford to buy these books | | | | If you've written your entry in 5 or so minutes, the |
| from your local bookstore or online? A trip to your | | | | judges will notice it immediately. You wouldn't want a |
| library is the key. Many libraries carry writer resource | | | | reputation for sloppy work. There you are 6 tips to |
| books, which if you have a library card, are free. If | | | | get you started on your journey to writing. |