The 5-Step Roadmap for Beginner Writers Who Feel Stuck

Image generated with OpenAI by the author

  Writing can feel like a daunting task for beginners.

  The idea of putting your thoughts on the page for all to see can be scary. You want to come off as a good writer with an inspiring message, or the best story possible.

  I felt these when I first decided to publish my works. There was a viscous cycle of wanting to make the first thing I write perfect, but I didn't know where to start.

  That's my first tip.

Just Start Writing

  Don't get stuck in the minutia and decision making hell. The first thing you write will not be perfect. It may not even be good. That's okay, everyone starts somewhere. At this point you can only improve.

  Think of it like a sport, the more you practice the better you get.

  Write anything, write about your day, write about your life, write about space aliens coming to abduct you. Once you start that's when the ideas flow.

  Write for you in the moment.

  Most internet gurus tell you to find a niche. Don't worry about finding a niche... yet.

Now is the time to explore. Most writers don't know their niche off the bat, so don't pressure yourself to write about one thing. Jump from subject to subject. It's okay to start with a self help article and then move onto Sci-Fi the next day.

  The point is to allow yourself to experience what interests you. Eventually you'll find your niche.

Use Writing Prompts

  On days where inspiration is lacking, writing prompts are your best friend. Writing prompts will help to get you started, giving you an idea to run with.

  There are countless books and websites dedicated to writing prompts. You can even use AI to create prompts for you.

  It's okay to use prompts to get started. The more you write, the more you'll find your own inspiration.

Stay Consistent

  Remember when I said to practice?

  This means keep doing it.

  Create a regular routine for your writing.

Personally I love to write early in the morning daily before work. I find that mornings have fewer interruptions and my creativity levels are higher.

  Your routine doesn't have to be like mine. We're all different. My wife is a nigh owl, she loves to write at night. Others might be midday storytellers.

  The key is to keep consistent. Setting your specific time on a regular schedule is only going to help you.

  If your schedule doesn't allow you to put it on a calendar, use triggers for writing.

  An example would be to write during your lunch. Take a notebook while grabbing your sandwich. Same could go for your other breaks in the day.

  This creates the habit of writing.

  The more your write, the more you improve.

  Once you have a strategy set, don't miss it. No excuses, just write. Remember you're building the habit. If you're stuck, use those writing prompts we were just talking about.

  You want to get to a point where missing a day feels off.

  I've built a habit to write daily, including weekends. This one habit has improved my ability to write, think, and create.

Don't Take Feedback Personally

  If you want to improve your writing, feedback is necessary.

  I get the idea that you might want to write for yourself, but 99.9% of writers deep down want to be read. You might as well suck it up and take the hits early.

  As a teenage, I'd ask for someone to read my writing feeling good about it. Then their feedback wasn't what I expected. They were confused, or found something to be questionable. I felt devastated.

  I took it personally.

  I shouldn't have, they were trying to help me improve. I'm honestly grateful to have had the constructive criticism because, it did help me become a better writer.

  Most people want to help you.

  In general people that give you feedback have no interest in hurting you, they just want to help. If they ask a lot of questions, you might be missing some details that bring more clarity.

  Remember they can't read your mind.

  Those questions might be exactly what you need to enhance your writing.

  Other times it might be grammar, spelling, or punctuation. I recently was told I used the "Your" when I meant "You're.

That was embarrassing!

  It took me three months before I shared my first article with my wife for feedback. I had written over forty of them before that moment. It felt like a giant mountain, once I did, the next day I started my blog.

Keep It Simple

  Don't worry about using big words unless it's absolutely needed. Most readers don't care if you know how to use them.

They also don't want to pull out the dictionary.

  Only use them when it's 100% called for.

  If writing an article, make your sentences straightforward. Avoid filler words where you can.

  Read aloud what your wrote. You'll get a sense of the flow and where you trip up. That will tell you where to adjust things.

  I still fall into this trap. Reading aloud has helped me to better my editing process.

Review Time

  Just start writing. You'll figure out what you don't know from the experience. It's the best way to learn.

  Writing Prompts are a great way to get you started when you don't know what to write. Have no shame, especially in the beginning. It's not a crutch, it's a tactic.

  Stay Consistent! The more you write, the more you improve. Consistency is why the professionals are good. They never stop writing. Create that routine and don't miss a day.

  Feedback is good. Don't shy away from it. It's only going to make you better.

  Keep it simple. Avoid big words unless it's absolutely necessary. Don't get too wordy. Read your writing aloud to yourself. If you trip up, you may need to change how you're writing it.

  Now open your notebook or favorite writing app, and inspire the next generation of writers.