You want to be a writer?

Writing is not only a great way to express yourself, but can provide an income. Keep in mind not all writers make a fortune, some still can not quit their jobs. Here are some tips to start your writing journey. Good luck!

1. Start Writing

Okay, so this tip is clear. For some, it is a question of what to write about, for others how to write. Write how and what you want.

What kind of books do you like reading? Fiction, Mystery, science fiction, how to books? How to articles, reports, maybe you're interested in journalism. Whatever the case, to get your creative juices flowing, start writing! Do not worry about how it sounds, grammar or other errors, you can go back to fix this.

2. Join online and offline groups / message boards and chats

If you already know what you want to write about, consider joining writer groups at your local library, or online groups, along with message boards and chat.

This is a great way to network with other writers and published authors. It's also a good place to share your work and receive feedback.

Many places online are free to join, some require a membership which usually consists of a user name, e-mail address and password for your user name. Some asked for more information such as name, address and sometimes a phone number.

3. Library

You may have heard about some books that writers refer to, this could be writer markets, e-book, self publishing and generally how to improve your writing.

What do you do when you can not afford to buy these books from your local bookstore or online? A trip to your library is the key.

Many libraries carry writer resource books, which if you have a library card, free. If you live outside the area, the library may require a fee for membership.

The book you are looking for may not always be at your local library, however libraries borrow from other libraries in and outside the country. Method of receiving outside books is called Inter-Library Loan.

Then, if you find the book to be a great resource, you may be able to buy used copies online.

4. Researching

The Internet is also another good resource for information. Keep in mind that not every resource you find online will be a good resource honest.

It will take time to sort out which websites are useful. Most information is free, so you can sit back and research in the comfort of your home.

If you do not have a computer with internet access, check your local library and see if you can use one of them.

5. Workshops 

Workshops taught by experts is a great way to learn from the professionals, but only if you can afford it! 

Make sure the topic of the workshop is based around your interest. For instance, if you love fiction..it wouldn't be a good idea to go to a workshop based only on non-fiction. 

It's a good idea to register early to ensure a spot at the event. Bring a new legal pad, plus a few writing tools to take notes. 

6. Contents 

After writing a while, you may want to enter contents. Some require an entry fee. I suggest staying away from the entry fee contents until you've entered some other free ones. That way you can get a feel for how contests work.

Spend some time writing and re-writing your entries. If you've written your entry in 5 or so minutes, th judges will notice it immediately. You wouldn't want a reputation for sloppy work.