January Writing Tips — Getting Started
Last Month, in our Thursday Writing Tips series, we started the year off we some ideas to help get writers started.
1) Make a Habit of Writing
We often hear from aspiring writers: “I’ll write when I feel inspired” or “I’m waiting for the right moment.” But the truth of it: the authors who finish their manuscripts aren’t the ones with the most talent or the most free time. They’re the ones who show up consistently, even on those days when their muse is fast asleep.
Writing regularly—even when it feels forced, even when you only manage (say) 100 words—builds momentum. It trains your brain to enter creative mode more easily. It turns “someday” into a finished draft.
Your writing practice doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be consistent to make real progress.
2) Read a Lot
Want to write better? Then Read like a writer. Realize there’s a difference between reading for pleasure and reading for craft—great writers do both.
When you read like a writer, you’re not just enjoying the story. You’re asking questions: How did this author make me care about this character? What specific words created that mood? Why does this chapter ending make me desperately want to keep reading?
Read authors in the genre you want to write, but don’t limit yourself, or you could limit your growth as a writer. Every genre has techniques you can learn from. Poetry teaches economy of language. Memoir, emotional honesty. Science fiction, world-building. To truly be a masterful writer, you should read, and read a lot while mixing in a bit of everything.
3) Write What You Enjoy
Give yourself permission to write what excites you (even if it seems “unmarketable”). Too often writers force themselves through projects they’ve lost interest in, or abandon their dream story because someone told them “that genre doesn’t sell” or “nobody wants to read about that.” The books that resonate most deeply with readers are the ones written with genuine passion.
But what about the market?
Yes, understanding your audience matters. Yes, commercial viability is a consideration. But passionate writing will finds its readers. And when you write something you genuinely love, that enthusiasm becomes infectious.
Your excitement is your greatest asset as a writer. It will sustain you through difficult revisions. It helps you weather rejection. It makes the lonely work of writing feel purposeful. So write the weird thing. Write the niche thing. Write the story that won’t leave you alone, even if you can’t explain why it matters so much to you.