If you are reading this post, it clearly means that your heart tells you to write but you do not know where to start from. You have what it takes to be a writer but you are hesitant due to various reasons. https://shemabukhari.com/that-monster-called-writing/

Guess what?

Focus Matters! Routine Helps!

Yes, it sounds clichéd, but this really helps.

In this write-up, I will share with you some of the tried and tested techniques to kick-start your writing journey. At the same time, do not forget that you have to be patient and persistent and passionate.

1. Read a Lot

Read everywhere and everything. Do not force yourself to read a book just because you have started it. If you find it boring, although others are raving about it; drop it. Pick another one. Read newspapers. If the political news is too much for you, read the entertainment section. Use your fancy cell phone as an electronic reader. Download your favourite materials. Or download interesting reading apps which are free or cost very little (Scribd). Read blogs online. Read magazines online. Read literature online.

Pamper yourself and buy a Kindle.

Just read and explore what actually interests you. Once you reach there, devour the work of the same author or genre until you feel him/genre inside out.

2. Writing Nook

Reading can be done while you are mobile, even. But for writing, find your nook – your haven. If you do not have desk and chair, then create  a space with some comfortable seating, good light, and peaceful surroundings.

Let your imagination run creative. Such space will motivate you to create. It will also provide you relief from the daily routine.

3. Stationery

Now is the time to buy some stationery. Yes, stationery. Or just take out all those notebooks and pens that you have been hoarding for no reason. Scribble your beliefs or some quote on the title page. And you are good to go. If you are not a notebook person then use your computer. A simple word processor or download writing software. Choose your calling and experiment with it.

Consider it a religious ritual and carry a small notebook with you all the time or use your cell phone to take notes. Jot down the ideas wherever you are. Do not trust the memory because once we cross a door, we tend to forget those random thoughts. These small note taking devices can be very good tools to create a piece of writing.

4. Journaling

One tried and tested trick to developing that passion for writing is to keep a journal. The ideas to handle and develop a journal are numerous. It can include:

Daily events

Emotion analysis

Reasons for showing gratitude

Anger management

Stress management

Story ideas

You just think about your needs and start working on the journal.

5. Specialized Notebooks

Most of the amateur writers face the issue of “ideas” to work on. This is where the specialized notebooks become handy.

Idea Book: Use this to jot down the ideas. Maybe while shopping you come across a very fidgety female, arguing vehemently with the shopkeeper. She can become the main character of your writing piece. Write about her. Write what could be her problem. Experiment with different scenarios. These small points can help you when you are lost at ideas to write some masterpiece.

Vocabulary Book: Create a vocabulary book. Divide it into different sections thematically. Wherever you see/read a new or interesting phrase or a word, write it down in the relevant section. You will see that in no time you will have a thesaurus of your own, which is very handy while writing. It is not copying-pasting. It’s using the same idea in your own style. It is “stealing like an artist.”

6. Blogging

One way to keep a record of whatever you write is to create a blog. This will help you to keep a track of your own progress. Plus who does not like to be appreciated by friends? WordPress and blogger are two convenient and user-friendly platforms to start your blogging career.

Finally, do not forget that PRACTICE is the key to success in any endeavor. Practice it every day. Force yourself to read a little and write a little. Soon it will become an extremely rewarding habit. Do not wait for an inspiration. That is an excuse used by procrastinators. Be a boss and just do it.