Five tips for aspiring writers

The joy of holding my fountain pen and writing a few lines of poetry, in my pretty, cursive handwriting was one of the most fulfilling things for me as a child. I loved and still love any kind of writing. Starting with a grocery list, journaling, to writing stories or personal essays, getting the word to meet a blank piece of paper or a blank screen, excites me.

For me, writing started out as my passion and later, turned into my profession. If you are like me, and love to write, here are a few ways to develop this passion into a hobby. 

Reading

Good choice of books and consistent reading lays the foundation for good writing.
As a child, I was an avid reader and used to drown myself in any book available. My love for books and reading has added a lot of value to my journey as a writer and I think it does the same for a wide majority of other writers as well.  

Write it down
Sometimes, ideas come to you in unexpected ways and in unexpected places. Always keep a notebook or a device handy. Write down your ideas in a notebook or a device when they come to you, so you can go back to it later and work on it. 

A Daily routine
It is a good idea to have a daily routine for your writing. Commit to write daily at a particular-time and have a target of a certain number of words to write each day.
It helps you be disciplined as a writer and stay true to your craft. 

Games & Fun activities
I enjoy playing scrabble, word scramble and crossword even today. Just arranging and re-arranging words stimulates my mind to play around with these words and generates ideas which I use as a starting place for many of my pieces. So, keep your writer hat on even while you are playing games. 

Submit to get published
My writing got published in the kids’ section in leading Indian newspapers, when I was 12 years old. My urge to submit and see my work published in various websites or magazines has only become stronger, with time. Having said that, not everything that I submit gets accepted and published. It is important to handle rejection with care and continue to be persistent and keep at it, without giving up. If you are a young writer reading this, look for places to submit. 

Conclusion:
Writing is a skill that can be developed through practice and the willingness to learn more to sharpen that skill by doing the things listed above and more. It is helpful to get started early and hone your skills, along the way. The single most important thing however is to write regularly.