Last Updated on February 24, 2014 by HodgePodgeDays
Since I was featured in the February edition of Writing Magazine, a few people have been in contact asking for my advice on how to get started. I’m no JK Rowling I admit, but I do write and I do get paid for it. So here are some of my thoughts and tips about starting and keeping on writing. And if all else fails, just follow what the wonderful Neil Gaiman has to say.
Write for yourself
I just started blogging for myself, people liked my style and it just snowballed from there. When I started blogging I didn’t expect anyone to read what I wrote. I wrote it for myself, to get things off my chest or to pour my heart out somewhere. If you write because you love it then you’ll not go far wrong.
Blog for the love of it
The best thing I did was start my blog, it’s worth investing £50 or so in getting your own domain right from the start, but write for yourself at first, about your life, things you’ve done, places you’ve been. Make friends with local bloggers in your area and get on twitter and search out review opportunities and interesting things to do. Eventually once you’ve built on this PRs may approach you to write sponsored posts, you can earn some extra pennies that way. But find a balance, if your blog is entirely reviews for freebies you’ve got and sponsored posts then it won’t have a heart and people won’t embrace it.
Find a mentor
Find a mentor or an honest friend who will read what you write and tell you the truth. I’ve got a couple of mentors and friends who help me immeasurably both in my writing and generally in terms of my career. Writing is pretty solitary, or it can be and having trusted but honest people you can bounce off is incredibly useful. Writing is like a muscle, you’ve got to keep exercising it, so write, even if it’s just for you.
Just go for it
I started writing for free to build up my published portfolio again after my extended break from writing, now I’m getting paid. Approach local magazines and see if they’ll commission a free article maybe. Once you’ve got a decent portfolio you can start scouting about for paid work.
I got “spotted” via my blog by an editor and now they send me to review plays and things, as well as writing general articles for them.
Sleep on it
Sometimes when I’m in the mood I can bang out some pretty decent stuff which I’m instantly happy with. Sometimes I might really struggle to find the right words. Whichever side of the bridge you find yourself, it’s always a good idea to give yourself and your writing a bit of breathing space before you click “publish”. So sleep on it, or leave it for an afternoon. Come back to it with fresh eyes and pat yourself on the back, or make the drastic revisions it needs to make it a piece you can be proud of. Don’t be afraid to scratch it and start again, if it needs it, it needs it. Oh, and write tight, don’t witter on, like I’m doing now…!
Always remember, if you write from the heart and honestly, then you can’t go far wrong.
Happy writing!
Thank you. As a new blogger this is a very good read.
You’re very welcome. I just thought I’d collate some of the advice I’d given into a post. Good luck with blogging, hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
Some great tips here. Thanks for sharing and linking up #binkylinky
Thank you 🙂
Hi, I understand what you mean about having someone you trust read what you write…but I hate knowing that there are people I know reading my blog. It makes me feel embarrassed when a Mum at the school gate will come to me after reading a recent blog post, or knowing that my own Mam has seen it. But I get a buzz thinking of those people whom I’ll never meet reading it.
Xx
I know, I once did a post about body confidence with a picture of me in my undies and a couple of mums commented (positively) at playgroup and I was mortified. Good to know they read my blog though 🙂
Really useful thanks. I’ve been writing in a notebook and not yet shared it with anyone. I think I’ll follow your tips
If you want I’d be happy to take a look at something for you, if you wanted someone independent to have a look. Good luck with your writing!
Thank you for this post! I love writing and would like to earn money from it. I’ve just started doing some reviews on my blog as well as writing posts about my life in general. I’m really enjoying it! Writing Magazine is wonderful, fantastic news that you got a feature in it! 🙂 x.
Thank you for your lovely comment Bek. I’m so glad you love blogging, it’s a great way to express yourself, keep at it!
Great post, it’s always nice to hear a blogging success story – keeps the dream alive! I started blogging to support my search for a book deal, but it soon became a labour of love that I enjoy for the sake of it. Still, you never know what it might lead it… #blinkylinky
Thank you 🙂 Blogging is brilliant, I love it and can’t ever imagine growing tired of it. It really is a labour of love. Thanks for commenting x
Good advice there. I like blogging but am unsure if I want to make money from it at the moment. I just like thinking up things to write about and posting them! #binkylinky
Just do it for the love of doing it, that way it’ll show in what you write.
Very interesting post, particularly what you say about writing for free and sleeping on it. I am sure I would be much better writer if I did the latter more, not so sure about the former…
Thanks for your comment, I always like to leave a bit of space before I publish, even if it’s just long enough to make a cup of tea.
Some really good advice here. I often wish I had a mentor who could have looked at my stuff, especially early on. Definitely good advice not to have too many review and giveaways too,because they can detract from the feeling of the blog.
Thanks for linking up with #binkylinky
It doesn’t have to be a mentor, just someone who can check that your stuff reads well and is ok for spelling and punctuation.