Writing Advice for New Writers
18 Creative Writing Tips to Start Strong
So, you’re ready to start your creative writing journey. Yay! It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and let’s be honest, a little overwhelming. I’ve been there—staring at a blank page, wondering how anyone strings words together that people actually want to read. Good news: You can do this. Stick around, because toward the end of this list, I’ll share a tip that completely changed my writing process and made me way more productive. You don’t want to miss it!
Let’s dive into 18 practical, beginner-friendly writing tips to help you start strong, stay motivated, and keep improving.
1. Just Start Writing
You don’t need the perfect idea, fancy tools, or a detailed plan. Put words on the page and let them be messy. Momentum matters more than perfection.
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult
Here’s the truth: waiting for the “perfect idea” or “ideal moment” will keep you stuck forever. I wasted months convincing myself I needed more inspiration before I could write anything worthwhile. When I finally sat down and started writing—terrible sentences and all—I realized the act of writing creates inspiration. The first draft doesn’t have to be good; it just has to exist. Think of it like planting seeds. You can’t grow anything until you toss some into the soil, even if they look a little scrappy at first.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Decide on a word count or time goal you can stick to. Writing 200 words daily adds up to 73,000 words in a year—a whole novel!
When I first started writing, I told myself, “I’m going to write a whole book in three months!” Spoiler: I didn’t. That goal felt so overwhelming that I avoided writing altogether. What finally worked? Setting small, achievable goals. I started with 300 words a day, which felt manageable even on busy days. Over time, I built up the habit and found myself surpassing those goals without even trying. Start small, and let consistency do the heavy lifting for you.
3. Find Your Creative Space
Discover where you write best. Whether it’s a bustling café or a quiet corner at home (my first book was written mostly in my walk-in closet), your environment can shape your creativity.
I used to think I needed the perfect Pinterest-worthy writing setup to get anything done. Candles, the right playlist, a tidy desk—it all felt so crucial. But here’s what I learned: your creative space is less about aesthetics and more about how it makes you feel. These days, some of my best writing sessions happen when I’m curled up on the couch with my dog snoring next to me. Find a spot where you feel comfortable, focused, and free to create. Bonus points if it’s somewhere you can show up consistently.
4. Embrace Bad First Drafts
Your first draft is for getting ideas out, not impressing anyone. Let it be raw and unpolished.
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” — Terry Pratchett
I’m a recovering perfectionist, and let me tell you: nothing crushed my creativity faster than trying to make every sentence perfect on the first try. I’d spend hours rereading and tweaking one paragraph, only to feel stuck and frustrated. When I finally gave myself permission to write badly, everything changed. The pressure disappeared, and ideas flowed more freely. Remember, your first draft is for you. It’s where you figure out what the story wants to be. Editing will come later—and that’s when the magic happens.
5. Read Like a Writer
Analyze books you love. What hooks you? How do the characters feel real? Reading is fuel for your writing.
I’ll never forget the first time I read a book and thought, Why do I love this so much? It was an historical romance novel, and I realized the pacing kept me hooked. From then on, I started reading with a highlighter or notebook nearby, jotting down what worked and what didn’t. Reading like a writer isn’t just about enjoying a good story—it’s about noticing how the author builds tension, develops characters, and crafts dialogue. Treat every book as a masterclass, and your writing will improve in ways you didn’t expect.
6. Keep a Journal
Capture ideas, phrases, or snippets of dialogue whenever they strike. They’ll be gold mines later.
Some of my best story ideas came from random notes I scribbled down in my journal. Once, I saw a stranger at a coffee shop wearing mismatched socks and laughing like they knew the funniest secret in the world. I wrote about them later, and that snippet turned into a quirky side character in my book. A journal is like a treasure chest for your creativity. Keep it close and write down everything—dreams, conversations, weird thoughts. You never know when something will spark your next story.
7. Write What Excites You
Don’t force yourself into genres or topics you don’t enjoy. Passion translates onto the page.
When I first started writing, I thought I had to write what was “popular” or “marketable.” I spent weeks slogging through a story I wasn’t passionate about, and it showed in the writing. Finally, I scrapped that project and started working on a story that made me giddy—a weird little tale about a witchy grandma. Writing became fun again. Moral of the story? Write what you love, not what you think you should write.
8. Learn the Rules (Then Break Them)
Understand writing conventions and grammar rules so you can break them intentionally to suit your style.
“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” — Pablo Picasso
I used to think rules were boring, especially grammar rules—ick! But here’s the thing: understanding the rules gives you a solid foundation. Once I learned the basics, I realized I could break them in clever, intentional ways to make my writing stand out. It’s like song writing—musicians learn the basic scales so they can use them to create something new. Master the rules first, and then feel free to color outside the lines.
9. Use Writing Tools
Take advantage of beginner-friendly tools like writing apps, grammar checkers, or brainstorming software.
When I discovered writing tools like ProWritingAid, it felt like I’d unlocked a cheat code. Before that, I could spend all day organizing my writing notes, then questioning if it was the best way to organize, and redoing everything as if it was my job. It is hard to keep all the details of a story in your head and it is also hard keeping track of character profiles, setting details, and scene charts. ProWritingAid let me organize everything in one place. Another game-changer? Grammarly. It catches mistakes I’d never notice and teaches me why they’re wrong. Writing tools don’t make you less of a writer—they’re like having a supportive co-pilot who helps you focus on the creative stuff.
10. Practice Short Writing Prompts
Prompts can be a quick, low-pressure way to spark creativity and build confidence.
When I hit a creative slump, writing prompts became my saving grace. One of my favorites was, “What would you do if you woke up with wings?” It didn’t lead to a fully fleshed-out story, but it got me thinking differently. Prompts are a low-stakes way to experiment with new ideas, styles, or genres. They’re also great for warming up before tackling your main project. Think of them as creative stretches to keep your writing muscles limber.
11. Join a Writing Group
Get feedback, motivation, and camaraderie by connecting with other writers online or locally.
I was terrified the first time I shared my writing in a group. What if they hated it? What if I wasn’t any good? But the feedback I received was kind, constructive, and eye-opening. Writing groups aren’t just about critique—they’re about community. Hearing other writers talk about their struggles and triumphs made me feel less alone. Plus, accountability is a game-changer. When you know someone’s waiting to hear your progress, you’re more likely to show up and write.
12. Edit Later
Resist the urge to edit as you write. It slows you down and kills momentum. Save it for after the draft is done.
This was a tough one for me. I used to edit as I wrote, tweaking every sentence until it sounded perfect. But guess what? I barely made progress. It wasn’t until I forced myself to write a full, messy draft without editing that things started to click. Editing is a different skill than writing. When you separate the two, you’ll be amazed at how much faster (and better) your work comes together.
13. Understand Story Structure
Learn about common structures like the three-act format to give your stories solid foundations.
Before I learned about story structure, my drafts felt... aimless. I’d have strong characters or cool scenes, but the plot meandered. Then I stumbled on the three-act structure, and it was like turning on a light in a dark room. Suddenly, I understood how to build tension, create satisfying arcs, and keep readers engaged. Story structure isn’t a creativity killer—it’s a roadmap that helps you navigate your ideas and guides the reader to the destination feeling satisfied they went on this journey.
My Favorite Writing Craft Books are listed here.
14. Write Through Writer’s Block
Instead of waiting for inspiration, try stream-of-consciousness writing or switch to another scene. Action creates inspiration.
Writer’s block has derailed me for weeks (months even). I’d putter near my computer until I got the courage to sit down, only to just stare at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration. Now I know better. Inspiration isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create by writing. When I’m stuck, I write anything—stream-of-consciousness babble, a random description, or even a review for a recently read book. Nine times out of ten, it breaks the block and gets me back on track. Don’t overthink it; just write something, anything.
13 Ways to Change Up Your Writing Routine
15. Take Breaks
Overwriting can lead to burnout. Step away, recharge, and come back with fresh eyes.
Once, I tried to write for six hours straight. By hour three, my brain was mush, and by the end, I hated everything I’d written. Taking breaks isn’t slacking—it’s essential. Step away, stretch, hydrate, or go for a walk. Some of my best ideas pop into my head when I’m not at my desk. Breaks recharge your creative energy and help you return to your work with fresh eyes.
16. Develop Thick Skin
Rejections and critiques aren’t personal. They’re opportunities to grow. Learn from them and keep going.
Rejections used to hit me like a truck. One particularly harsh critique had me questioning if I should even keep writing the story. But over time, I realized something: feedback isn’t about tearing you down—it’s about helping you grow. Now, I look at critiques as opportunities to improve. Not all feedback will resonate, and that’s okay. Learn to separate your worth as a person from your work as a writer. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
17. Set Deadlines
Self-imposed deadlines keep you accountable and build discipline. Start small and grow from there.
Deadlines are your best friend. Start with something small, like, “I’ll finish this scene by Friday.” Having a deadline creates urgency and keeps procrastination at bay. And here’s the secret: deadlines don’t have to be stressful. Treat them like challenges, and celebrate when you meet them.
18. Celebrate Small Wins (Game-Changer Alert!)
This is the one that changed everything for me. Reward yourself for every milestone, big or small. Finished a chapter? Treat yourself to a fancy latte. Hit a word count goal? Buy a new book! These celebrations keep you excited about the process and motivated to continue.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
Ready to Start Writing?
Now that you’re armed with these tips, grab your favorite journal, download that writing software, and start telling your story. Remember, every great writer was once where you are: at the beginning. Keep going, keep learning, and enjoy the process.
And hey—don’t forget to celebrate those small wins. They’re the game-changer you’ll look back on with gratitude.
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