Saturday, July 9, 2016

Being a Writer | What I've Learned

I love writing. However, being a writer is really hard. Sometimes, words come easily, I am full of ideas and inspiration, and everything seems perfect. Other times, I can't seem to get a sentence straight, I have nothing to write about, and WHY WON'T THE NEIGHBOR'S DOG STOP BARKING I CAN'T FOCUS!!

I wrote my first "novel" when I was about ten years old, and (thank goodness!) I have come very far from that! Writing is a learning process. The longer you do it and the more you push yourself, the more you learn and the better you get. I am by no means an expert, but I have learned a few things over the years that have really helped me become a better writer. 


// When you get an idea, write it down:
I learned this the hard way, and I am sure that many of my other writer/blogger friends will agree with me! (right?) I cannot count how many times I have had a really good idea for a project or something, but I think, "Oh, I'll remember that...it's such a good idea that there is no way I'll forget it!" You will forget it. It's terrible. Take my word for it and never fall into the black hole of that thinking. If you do remember your idea again, it will be at two in the morning. :p So yes. Write it down. You won't regret it!

// Don't compare yourself to other writers:
This one is so important. For a long time, I struggled with comparing myself to other writers. Their writing style seemed better, their blog design was better, and I thought there was no way I could ever be as good as them. What I was failing to realize was that writing is all about creativity. Writing is an art, and each individual writer will have their own style. It wouldn't be half the fun if everybody sounded the same! If it helps at all, don't even read other people's work before you write! Your writing should be something that you love to do, and something that you can call your own. After a while, you will develop your own style, and you should stick with that. No writer is ever perfect! Even the greatest authors will tell you that there is always room for improvement. Be original with your writing, and don't worry about being different!   
// Connect with other writers:
I have just started realizing how amazing connecting with other writers is. Growing up, my best friend and I would write stories, books, plays, and poems together all the time. Even though we live really far apart now, we still love to talk about writing, our current projects, and all of the fun stuff that goes along with it. Since I have gotten more into blogging, I have met so many beautiful people and learned so much from them! There is a great network of bloggers/writers out there, and it has been an incredible thing to get to know them all! Find a way to connect with your fellow writers! We share lots of virtual hugs, squeals, flailing, and food. It's great. ♥  (Please be careful connecting with other people on the internet though...there are lots of creepers out there. :p)


// Forget about the "rules of writing":
This may sound strange, but let me explain. When I first started looking up writing advice, tips for beginners, novel writing help, etc., I was bombarded by lists upon lists of rules for writing. While there are certain things that really should be avoided in writing, there are other things that could limit your style and creativity in the matter. For instance, I was told that outlining and plotting everything was a necessary step to writing a novel. I tried doing that with several projects, and after picking apart my idea so much, it makes me eventually dislike it entirely. I'm not saying that plotting and planning your work is bad (in fact, it is a method that many people use and love!), but I am saying that it isn't necessarily for everyone. If it isn't for you, forget about it! Don't lose your creativity in a maze of rules. Write with your own originality and style. If people are reading and loving what you wrote, you have succeeded!

// Don't give up:
Like I said before, writing is hard. Really hard. Sometimes you will feel like ditching the entire idea of being a writer. Every writer has had one of those days, but you will get through that! Sometimes, you may just need to take a break. I have found that when I try too hard to get a project exactly the way I want it, it leave me feeling discouraged and doubtful of my abilities. Simply taking a step away from a project can help you gain a new perspective and attack it with fresh zeal. When you are doing something you love, you will know it. Writing takes time, patience, and a whole lot of effort, but it can be so rewarding. Push through the dry patches, and whatever you do, don't give up. It will all be worth it. ♥

Have a lovely day! :)

 ~Megan ♥

16 comments:

  1. This post is full of so much truth, oh my goodness. Like, I don't even know what to say, you basically covered everything! XD Writing is so hard, but so worth it <3

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    1. SO TRUE. I have never been more glad that I stuck with it. :D
      Thank you for commenting, Grace!! :) ♥

      ~Megan <333

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  2. Yessss YESYESYES. YES TO ALL OF THIS. *ahemmm* Especially about ignoring 'rules.' Man, that one got to me for a while. I decided not to read blog posts on improving writing craft/writing craft books during the process of writing a first draft because it reminded me of everything I was doing wrong and I couldn't enjoy it. Worry about writing good in edits, when you're supposed to! :P

    Great post! Thanks for stopping by Stan! <3

    (Also, I started my first novel at age 11 and finished at age 12 (almost 13 - it took me about a year and eight months), so this is cool to find someone who has been writing novels for around the same amount of time! *high fives*)

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    1. Same here! I had to take a looonnng break from reading other people's work, and it helped me more than I thought it would! I enjoy it so much more now that I have gained confidence in it, and I can enjoy other people's work now too! :)
      (hooray for us old-timers! :p)

      Thank you so much for the follow!! You are fabulous! :) ♥

      ~Megan <333

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  3. These are all really strong tips. Writing down ideas once they pop into my mind is something I have to do or I will be stuck with writers block! And forgetting the rules of writing is golden, if you want to make your writing your own.

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    1. Yes! I struggled SO much with writer's block before I started writing things down. It helps a TON!
      Thank you so much for commenting, Vanessa! :) ♥

      ~Megan <333

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  4. Hey Megan! Would you be interested in doing an interview for my blogiversary?
    -Mic

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    1. I would love to, Michaila!! *squealing* Thank you so much for asking me! You can drop me an email at 1nuttymeg316@gmail.com. :)

      ~Megan <333

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  5. These are awesome tips, Megan!
    I especially have focus on the first one...and the last one. xD They're all so important, so thank you for sharing!
    ~Emily <3

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    1. Same here! :D Thank you for commenting, Emily! ♥

      ~Megan <333

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  6. Being a writer myself, I can agree with all of your points. I love this post and I want to thank you for sharing your views. ~Abby <3<3<3

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    1. Thank you for commenting! I'm glad you agree, Abby! :) :) ♥

      ~Megan<333

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    2. :-) ~ Abby <3<3<3

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  7. Ahhhh, these are all such awesome pieces of advice! For me, the most important ones are connecting with other writers and always writing everything down. Even if I don't use an idea right away, or I try using it and it doesn't work, I always save it in case it comes in handy in the future.

    The biggest thing I've learned about writing is to write through writer's block. If I wait until I feel inspired to write, I rarely write at all. But when I work through the block and just try to get something on the paper anyway, it usually leads to my inspiration coming back. And if I end up hating what I've written, well, at least I know how not to write the scene when I come back to it in the future!

    Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

    P.S. - I just found your blog, and I'm madly in love! <3

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    1. "Even if I don't use an idea right away, or I try using it and it doesn't work, I always save it in case it comes in handy in the future." YES. I have come back to ideas before after writing them down and not using them right away. It is really nice to have a list of ideas that you can resort to at any time!

      I tried that trick last time I ran into writer's block, and it helped SO much! It is so tempting to just give up until you can get out of the rut, but it helped me wayy more when I continued to write.

      Thank you so much for your kind words, Ellie!! *squeals* I'm SUPER glad you stopped by!! :) ♥

      ~Megan<333
      (megans-journals.blogspot.com)

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  8. Oh my goodness, your blog is amazing!!! <3

    Sophia xx
    A Lantern In Her Hand
    The Inkpot Girl

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