How to begin and improve as a writer

So you've decided to take on this fun and soul enriching hobby/habit and maybe even try your hand at either publishing yourself or finding a publisher for your work.

Some of the most asked questions new writers ask usually fall into two general categories.

• The first is about a starting point. In other words, how can you become a writer or author?

• The second question is about your confidence level. Am I good enough to be an author?

Let's tackle the first one. The place to start is what you've probably already begun. That's to put your thoughts and ideas down on some medium, whether that be old school paper and pen or on a computer in the form of a document. So let's assume at this point you've begun to put your thoughts, ideas and stories onto some type of format. For this is the first step, if you have not started this yet, then that's what you need to do.

Remember "Being a writer is a journey and not a destination"

Authors tip: When you first begin to write, don't edit it in your head as you write, simply put the words or inspiration down on on paper or in a document raw.

Trying to edit while your allowing your creative brain to flow with a new idea, simply puts a stumbling block in the way of an idea. Later trust me you will spend lot's of time editing and later formatting your idea into a finished story or a non-fiction finished work.

The 2nd question is a bit more in-depth. Gaining confidence has been the subject of many great authors and there is no way we in the scope of this blog, can we cover all of the ways to gain self confidence completely.

That being said we can suggest several ways to start with to help you know that the project your working on is worth your time and effort.

• Have your family and friends read your work and asked them to be brutally honest (if you cannot handle this feedback). You may not be ready to handle the feedback you'll get from publisher's, for trust me they will be brutally honest with you.

• If you have friends on Facebook that follow you, you can ask for opinions. There are also groups within Facebook that cover almost every aspect of authorship. If you find one that works for you and specific people within the group you, then join the group. Then connect with them and add friends from the group and exchange your time for their time. This can be done very inexpensively.

• There are many Fiverr freelancers that charge anywhere from inexpensive to outrageous to review your book for you. I will add that you can also find them in all categories of authorship. From grammar & spelling errors to reviewing your final project.

• Lastly we'll add to forget about being "perfect" there just is no such thing. Creative souls tend to get hung up on trying to make everything perfect and I'm sure it's hampered more potentially great writers than any other single thing. So practice letting that GO

Do your best and edit what you must and use those whom you trust and it will help in developing your story or idea to a place where you can live with it.