Writing is a process. Whether it’s a book, or even just a short story. Their are a few a things that every writer should try to remember. I am just going to limit it to the top 5 things I think are the most important. At the end of this advice article, feel free to leave your own list of things you think writers should remember in the comment section.

Number One

Start writing! The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be done. Don’t make excuses for not starting yet. Just do it. If you don’t like the beginning you can always go back and edit it at a later time.

Number Two

Make a guide before you start writing. The one thing I have found to make writing a story easier is by making a guide. I like to make a character guide where I list things I feel are important for me to remember about each character in my story. That way as the story progresses, I will have something to help me remember what my ideas for that character were.

I also like to make a story guide. It’s the easiest way to plan out the important details of where I want my story to go. If you’ve ever started writing without a guide plan, you might have noticed that your story will sway from your original idea and sometimes become almost two stories mixed up together? Making a story guide can help you avoid that sway from your original idea.

Number Three

Don’t let writers block get the best of you. Lets face it, their’s only so much writing you can do before you start to feel like your writers well is drying up. Don’t let that happen. Give yourself variety. That can include more than one writing you may be working on. If you start to feel a little bland on one story, set it aside and consider working on something else instead. Or if you think you might need a small break from writing, read a good book. Some of the best inspirations can come from a good book.

I would like to point out their are differences between inspirations and stealing. An inspiration means you saw or read something that gave you an idea. Stealing would be blatantly using someone else’s idea and pretending it’s your own.

Number Four

Keep learning. In some cases writers can start to think that their is nothing left for them to learn. Then when someone tries to teach them something, they don’t listen. Absorb information! Whether it’s new ideas or tips for writers, advice from successful writers or even just a critique left on the manuscript of a story you’ve written. Take in what is being said and evaluate it. Bad information can also be a good learning experience. Consider that the next time you hear some advice that is far off balance. The good and the bad can help turn you into the best writer for yourself.

Number Five

Know your market. When you write a book, you want that book to sell. So you have to write something that you know your target audience will want to read. Keep the reader in mind when you write and it will help you form a successful story.

If you like to think of yourself as a writer, I hope you’ll keep these 5 simple tips in mind before you start your next story or book. Best of all, if you are a writer and you have an important tips list of your own, share it!