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