Nov. 26, 2025
Guest post by Author Glenn Miller
.png)
As a
new writer, you're likely eager to hone your craft and share your stories with
the world. Here are some simple yet essential tips to help you grow as a writer
and navigate the writing journey!
Don’t take yourself too seriously. A
healthy mix of humor and humility is valuable for one’s sanity. Because writing
is so personal and intimate, it’s easy to place a lot of weight on ourselves
and our output. The folks in my critique group often remind one another that “it’s
just a book.” Thus, being grounded and keeping things in perspective are
essential for our growth AND mental health.
But—be a serious student of your craft. It’s
not enough to want to be a writer; you have to want to learn how to
write. Be a good apprentice by honoring those who have come before you. Study
their techniques closely, just as a welding or carpentry student would do.
Read, read, read. Read a wide variety of things and for a wide variety of
purposes. Read for pure enjoyment, but also read to learn the art of stringing
words together. See how others develop scenes and characters. Like a painting
student would, copy the methods of the masters. It’s the first step in finding
your own style.
Besides poetry and fiction, there are incredible books out there about craft. Identify a dozen craft books like Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird” and Stephen King’s “On Writing.” Make a reading list and give yourself a deadline. As you read, take lots of notes. After a few months, your confidence will grow, and you’ll gain a ton of momentum.
Also, be patient. Slow
down and observe the wonderful details around you. Like a visual artist, make
quick sketches describing a leaf or dictating an overheard conversation. Pay
attention to how the wind moves a loved one’s hair. Scribble down descriptions
of everyday things: the sound of a car starting, the smell of snow, the taste
of fresh popcorn. These sketches may never make it to a final draft, and that's
okay. They still help pave the way forward.
Set goals to stay focused. It’s
easy to get distracted by the noise of modern society, especially social media.
It’s also easy to set unfair expectations for ourselves (I speak from
experience). So, while goals are good, short-term goals with a clear deadline are
more useful. For example, I’ll draft a new story by Friday, I’ll read Robert
McKee’s “Story” this month, or I’ll submit that polished story to
three literary journals every day until someone accepts it. Like a good
exercise routine, a good writing routine creates healthy habits. Whether or not
you feel like it, put your behind on a chair until you meet your daily goal.
Tomorrow, do it again. Progress happens when you set clear goals and develop a
strong routine.
Find your space. Like
most writers, I like solitude and quiet. But I know people who like to write in
coffee shops and libraries. Some writers listen to movie soundtracks as a way
to inspire the rise and fall of emotion in their stories. Others write best
when they sit outside. Try different things and keep an open mind about
where/when/how to write. Also try different modes. Buy an old typewriter, write
longhand, or draw storyboards.
Be creative in other ways. It’s
unhealthy to become hyper-focused on a single outlet, so spend time playing an
instrument or drawing doodles. Take up baking, photography, or designing that
little writing cabin you’ve always dreamed about having. Adopting other
creative pursuits will feed your writing. Not to overuse the exercise analogy,
but we all know that the best approach to fitness is to focus on every part of
our body. If we only work out our bicep muscles, the end result isn’t going to
be very healthy…or attractive.
Avoid comparisons. It’s
human nature to compare ourselves to others, but there’s a fine line between
admiring another writer and beating ourselves up when they succeed and we
don’t. Your writer friend’s trajectory isn’t yours; don’t try to mimic it. Instead,
absorb information, then create our own path. This is easier said than done,
but one thing that can help is limiting our time on social media. While it’s
nice to connect with other writers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of
comparison. I’ve found it helpful to take breaks from all that noise—days or
even weeks at a time—in order to re-focus my energy. Test it out and see what
happens.
Be persistent. Successful writers aren’t the most talented—they’re the most persistent. An athlete won’t develop skills if they don’t practice their craft regularly. A writer won’t end up with a book worth publishing if they don’t grind away in the moments before or after work, or when the kids go to sleep, or when writing is the last thing they want to do. If you work at anything regularly, you will become better at it, and your confidence will soar.
Find your people. One
of my graduate school professors warned me that writing is a solitary and
lonely pursuit, so it’s important to seek out community. I completely agree.
After many years of feeling isolated, I found a wonderfully supportive critique
group. Even short-term writing buddies and mentors offer a positive sense of
community. Attend book fairs, shop at your local bookshop, and enroll in an
in-person or online writing course. You’ll meet some big egos and experience cliques
and selfishness, but you’ll also meet a lot of gems. It takes time,
just like dating, to meet fellow writers who give as much as they take and are
pleasant to be around.
However, it’s essential to our
well-being to keep seeking community.
--------
I grew up in Central New York State in a
family of ten. After earning degrees in Fine Arts and English, I worked as a
youth program coordinator, an adult education instructor, and most recently as
a college professor. My family and I now live in Florida where I continue to
teach at the college level. Besides Goon, I am the author of the YA
novel Camper Girl and the picture book Red's First Snow. I am
currently working on a sequel to Camper Girl.
No comments:
Post a Comment