In his book On Writing, Stephen King shares his early experiences as a writer as well as writing tips for beginners.
There are two theses in the book.
The first one is that good writing is about mastering vocabulary, grammar, and style such as symbolism, tone, imagery, theme, and voice among others.
The second one is that a competent writer can turn into a good writer with hard work and dedication.
10 Writing Tips for Beginners
1 – Read Books That You Like
One of the most important writing tips for beginners is to read a lot.
When you read, even if you are just enjoying the story, there is a learning process going on.
Good writing inspires you to work harder at your craft.
You will also learn about style, narration, plot development, and believable characters.
Moreover, when you read books that you like you get ideas of how to become a better writer by copying the writer’s style.
If you read a lot of books from a specific author, you will end up writing in a similar style.
This is part of the learning process. You will blend the style of your favorite writers until you develop your own writing style.
You need to read and refine your writing constantly.
2 – Read As Much As Your Can
Stephen King reads between 70 and 80 books per year, mostly fiction just because he enjoys reading.
The second writing tip for beginners is that there are lessons to be learned from every book.
For example, reading books that you dislike helps you to become a better writer because you learn what not to do.
There is nothing more inspiring for an aspiring writer than thinking that your work is better than that of someone who actually got paid for his or her work.
Also, think about the last book that you read and thought, I can do better than this because you have a good idea of what not to do.
You will be able to include more of what you like in our own work while avoiding what you dislike in other people’s stories.
In addition, reading also helps to experience different styles and see how your writing compares to that of others.
3 – Have Always a Book Available
Take a book with you everywhere you go. This could be a physical book, ebook, or audiobook.
You can easily have an ebook and audiobook on your phone.
There are so many times when we have to wait and having a book to read makes the waiting time more enjoyable.
The third writing tip for beginning writers is to read at every opportunity you have. Listen to audiobooks in your car or when you are doing busy work around the house or exercising.
If you want to be a writer, you need to turn inward toward your imagination.
Reading will allow your mindset to easily transition from reality to imagination where you can easily write.
You also get an idea of what has been done and what is fresh. The more you read, the more you will identify in others and your own writing what works.
Here are more Benefits of Reading that will Change Your Life.
4 – Create a Writing Routine
Make sure that you write every day a certain number of pages.
Look for a boring, dull corner to write.
In addition, your writing space needs a door that you need to keep shut. The closed door tells yourself and others that you are serious about your writing.
This will help you to focus on your story.
Also, eliminate all possible distractions. Keep your phone away, draw the curtains so that your mind can easily turn inward.
When your write you want to get rid of the world around you because you are creating your own world.
Over time, you will be able to filter out distractions but in the beginning it is best to keep distractions away.
The longer you repeat the writing routine, the easier it will become.
The fourth writing tip for beginning writers is that a consistent routine helps the muse to find you. If he does, sooner or later he will show up and share his magic.
Listen to music if it helps you to concentrate.
Stephen King likes to listen to hard rock music such as Metallica or AC/DC while he writes.
Here are 10 Daily Routine Examples of Creative People.
5 – Start with a Situation
When you start writing your story, put one or more characters in a difficult situation and see how they find their way out.
The situation comes first. Stories make themselves.
There is no need to have a plot in advance. You only need to give the story a place to grow.
The fifth writing tips for beginning writers is that stories are like fossils in the ground.
The writer has to use the tools in his toolbox to get them out of the ground without breaking them.
Stories are like relics, part of an undiscovered, pre-existing world.
Even if you have an idea of the outcome, most times, the characters will do something different.
Write about anything you want as long as you tell the truth.
Write the genre that you love to read the most.
Also keep in mind that people love reading about work.
6 – Choose Your Tools
The most common tool of a writer is vocabulary.
There is no need to make an effort to improve your vocabulary, you will get better as you read.
The basic rule of vocabulary is to use the first word that comes to your mind, if it is appropriate and colorful.
Be aware of some simple grammar rules and choose your tools wisely.
Always use active verbs because they are easier to understand for the reader.
Fear is the root of most bad writing.
An important writing tip for beginners is to use active verbs instead of passive voice.
Trust that your writing will improve as you hone your skills. Just be aware that adverbs are usually not necessary, use them sparingly.
Stephen King also used too many adverbs in the beginning but later realized that they were not necessary because the context and everything that happened before will help the reader to figure out how the character is saying his words without having to add angrily or unbelievingly.
7 – Write and Rewrite
This is one of the most important writing tips for beginning writers because many times they spend too much time on the first draft instead of letting the story unforld.
The first draft is just for the writer. You are telling a story to yourself when you write the first draft of a story.
Then, when you rewrite, you need to take out all the things that do not belong to the story.
Once you have an idea of what the story will be about it’s time to rewrite and share it with the world.
Stories consist of three parts: the narration that moves the story from point A to Point B, description, which includes sensory details for the reader to immerse into the story, and dialogue that will bring characters to life.
Description starts in the writer’s mind but should end in the readers imagination.
Clearly see in your mind what you want to describe on the piece of paper.
Clear writing begins with fresh images and simple vocabulary.
Fiction usually begins with a story and develops into a theme and not the other way around.
Once, King got a rejection letter that changed his rewriting process. Here is the Rewrite Formula:
2nd Draft = 1st Draft – 10%
He copied this formula on a cardboard and taped it next to his typewriter.
When talking about pacing, keep the story moving forward and cut out the boring parts. This means to speed the pace to keep the reader glued to the page.
However, if you go too fast, you may leave the reader behind and lost. Let each story unfold at it’s own pace.
8 – Identify Your Backstory
In every story, there is usually some research involved when you write about things you are not familiar with.
However, keep in mind that research is only to make your story relevant to the reader and all the interesting facts you are learning about specific topics such as the flesh-eating bacteria will only add information to your story.
When writing about topics that need research, always keep in mind what is important in your story.
There are times when you are so interested in the backstory that you forget what the story was all about.
Keep in mind what is the story actually about and provide some details that will make the story sound real. You only need the right details to give the story a sense of reality.
9 – Think About Your Ideal Reader
Think about one person you write for besides yourself.
For Stephen King, his wife Tabitha is his ideal reader. He always writes keeping her in his mind.
Always keep the reader in your mind and pay attention to his or her opinion.
Your Ideal Reader will be in your writing room all the time.
Keeping your Ideal Reader in your mind even when you are writing your first draft will help you .
You Ideal Reader can help you figuring out if you added enough backstory so that the reader understands or if you need to add more to make it clearer.
Pay attention to the questions that your Ideal Reader asks and what parts she or he does not understand.
10 – Don’t Worry About Writing Classes
You will not find the secrets of becoming a successful writer in writing classes or retreats.
The best way to learn how to become a writer is by reading a lot and writing a lot. Keep your door closed.
Writing classes can be intellectually interesting and enjoyable but they are not necessarily related to the most important aspects of writing.
In addition, the critique you may get from other writers may be too vague to be helpful for the next rewrite of your story.
It had a sense of… I am not sure how to say it, I love the story. it made me feel… like the images are very nice…
Very vague comments won’t be helpful for the rewriting of the second draft.
However, it can be interesting to interact with veteran writers that you admire and they may provide inspiration on how to get started or move forward in your journey to become a writer.
By observing and becoming aware of your own writing process you can learn valuable lessons such as the best time to write, what inspires you, and the most effective way to use your writing time.
11 – Bonus Writing Tip: Get Started
The best time to get started is right now. Don’t wait to start writing when you have more time, when your kids are in college, or once you get a better-paying job.
Find a quiet place with a door, create a routine, and start writing.
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers.
If you enjoyed these writing tips for beginners, you may also enjoy reading the book On Writing.
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Stephen King is just a master, these are awesome tips from him!
I couldn’t agree more. These are really great tips for writers.
The more I read the better I got at writing myself. Reading is so important. I was also taught to write as if I am speaking to somebody.
Great tips. I’ll check all these helpful tips to improve my writing skills.
This was so very helpful. Thank you. I badly needed these tips.
I agree with the start with a situation tip. Whenever I write my blog posts, I think of a relevant situation in my life and try to relate it with my chosen topic.
Some great tips you have share, i think we should always Think About our Ideal Reader.
Amazing amazing tips!!! Thank you so much…I love the insight about creating a writing routine, this is perfect and very helpful.
Thanks for sharing your helpful tips! I am really glad to know all these! Huge help!