Tough Love Advice for New Writers

Start improving your writing today with these actionable tips for new writers!

As a new writer, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of putting words to the page. But the harsh reality is that not all of those words are going to be gold. In fact, some of them might be downright terrible. But don't worry, because with a little tough love, you can turn your writing into something truly special.

The Tough Love Your Writing Needs: Harsh Writing Advice for Newer Writers

All new writers face common struggles. “Writing is hard.” “I don’t feel inspired to write today.” If you think you are having a writing block, you are not. Blocks are just an excuse for not getting the work done. The writing process is not always easy, but with persistence, you can improve your craft. Any one can become a better writer with practice and dedication. Wrtiing Mastery doesn’t happen over night. We become better writers one day at a time. Follow these tips and instead of forming writing excuses, you’ll be forming writing habits instead.

Focus on what you can control

The first piece of harsh writing advice is to be prepared for rejection. Yes, rejection is a part of the writing process and not something you can control. It happens to writers at all stages of their author journey, from feedback and critique swaps to the query trenches to the 1-star reviews on their 20th published book.

Rejection is coming, so preparing yourself now will help you face it when it knocks on your door. Many authors view rejection as a badge of honor. It’s the evidence that you put yourself out there and made enough of an impact on someone that they were moved into action. You did that! So don't let rejection hold you back, it's just a part of the journey.

Embrace the Crappy First Draft!

The second piece of harsh writing advice is to be willing to throw away your work. That's right, sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing is to throw it away and start over. It might be hard to let go of something you've put so much time and effort into, but trust me, it'll be for the best.

Can anyone pick up a new instrument and play a song perfectly the first time? Nope. So it is even more unlikely that they can compose an entire new song on the first try and no one would expect them to be able to complete this impossible task.

If you go into writing the first draft with the mindset that this is the first layer of the story that you can mold into something worthy of reading, then you are golden! I like to think of everything that happens to my stories before they reach readers as “Workshopping my Manuscript.” When someone asks how my story is going, I tell them I am currently workshopping it and that usually stops the questions.

Coming up: Checklist with 10 positive action steps new writers can take to improve their writing TODAY!

Is It Ready? Not Yet.

The third piece of harsh writing advice is to be willing to rewrite. Writing is a process, and it's not uncommon for a piece to go through multiple drafts. In fact, some of the best writing is the result of multiple rounds of rewriting. So don't be afraid to go back and make changes.

It’s likely that you will get ideas for changes to make on your next draft during the current draft. However jumping in to make those changes now could mess with your writing flow. Instead keep a notebook or document for these ideas. Organize it so that jumping into the next draft feels like taking a test with the answer sheet in front of you. You could make notes by chapter, scenes, character arcs, and so on.

Crushing Egos While Building Skills

No, no. This is not meant to crush (or over-inflate) any egos but if done correctly should build skills. The fourth piece of harsh writing advice is to be willing to get feedback. Feedback is not personal. It is meant to improve your story and it's essential on your path to master writer. A fresh set of eyes can help you identify areas that need improvement, and you'll be able to make your writing even better.

Feedback is the most impactful tool in the writer’s toolbox and the right critique partners are priceless. The most important quality to look for in selecting someone to ask for feedback is honesty. Critiques and comments on your stories should be specific, practical, and actionable. The ‘Compliment Sandwich’ technique is a helpful approach, starting with a positive comment, providing suggestions for improvement, and ending with another positive note.

Surround Yourself With Storytelling Genius

It’s time to study the the Master Storytellers! The fifth piece of harsh writing advice is to read. This is how you’ll learn about different styles and techniques, and it's how you’ll learn what works and what doesn't. So make sure to read as much as you can, and take note of what you like and what you don't.

Level up from just reading the masters - To fully immerse yourself in the world of storytelling, go beyond just reading and surround yourself with storytelling geniuses. Seek out acclaimed authors who have mastered the art of storytelling. Attend writing workshops, conferences, or literary events where you can listen to their insights, learn from their experiences, and gain inspiration. Engage with their work, dissect their storytelling techniques, and analyze how they captivate audiences with their words. By surrounding yourself with storytelling geniuses, you'll absorb their wisdom and harness their creative energy, allowing it to influence and shape your own writing style. Remember, studying the masters is an essential step towards becoming a master yourself.

Believe in yourself, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't be a great writer.

Writing is a craft that takes time and effort to master. But with a little tough love, you'll be able to turn your writing into something truly special. Embrace rejection, be willing to throw away your work, rewrite, get feedback, and read. Stick with it and keep going - Trust me, the end result is a story you’ll be more than proud to share! And always remember, the more you write, the better you'll become.

10 positive action steps new writers can take to improve their writing TODAY!

Write every day: Even if it's just for 10 minutes, make a habit of writing something every single day.
Read widely: Reading is like food for a writer's soul, read as much as you can to improve your vocabulary and writing skills
Learn from the greats: Study the works of successful writers to learn about different styles, techniques, and what makes great writing.
Get feedback: Share your writing with others to get valuable feedback and constructive criticism.
Take writing classes or workshops: Learn from experienced writers and gain valuable skills that will help you improve your writing.
Join a writing group: Meet other writers, share your work and give feedback to others, it's a win-win situation.
Set goals for yourself: Set specific, measurable, and achievable writing goals for yourself, and track your progress.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to try new things, styles, and techniques in your writing. Who knows what you may discover?
Be open to feedback: Be open to feedback and willing to make changes to your work, it will help your writing to grow.
Believe in yourself: Believe that you can be a great writer, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

By following these action steps, new writers can give their writing the boost it needs. Remember, writing is a craft that requires persistence. Believe in yourself, and keep pushing yourself to be the best writer you can be!

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