Not everyone can study at university. However, if you want to be a writer, the good news is you don’t have to finish higher education. In the digital era, it is even more common to get writing knowledge and develop the craft in other ways. Here are some tips that can help you with your dream of becoming a writer.
Be an Active Reader
To become a good writer, you have to be a great reader. You don’t have to read five books in a month, but rather read less but more actively. During the process, pay attention to what makes the writing compelling or persuasive. Focus on dialogue, plot, and how characters are built. Don’t get stuck just with one style and genre, but explore the whole variety to learn more and get inspired.
Take a Writing Course
Getting a formal education can help you develop your writing skills, meet people who think alike, and give you a great chance to improve your writing. Fortunately, a university is not your only choice. There are many writing programs which you could take. From residencies through online courses to masterclasses like this one: https://cursums.com/dan-brown-masterclass-overview/.
Write, Write, Write
Writing is a craft, which means it can improve with practice. The more you write, the better, even if at first the writing is not great. Depending on your time and other responsibilities, set aside time per week or per day where you sit down and write, no matter what. Aside from developing writing skills, you will build a habit of creating, which can get you a long way and help you finish your blog articles, journal essays, or even a novel.
Get Feedback
While the writing process itself is fun, you don’t have to dump your texts at the bottom of your desk drawer. Share it with others to see if it resonates with the public. Receiving constructive feedback is a great way to grow and improve your skills. You can start sharing with your friends and family. However, if you still feel shy, try online communities where other fellow writers can share their impressions. This way, you can gain a different perspective and improve quickly.
Read Books About Writing
Although you are not getting a university degree, it’s good to check the syllabus of various writing courses. You can find their recommended literature, which you can read. “Writer’s Journey” or “On Writing” are two of the most popular. You can also search for online resources, which are often available for free. Learning theory can help you to pay more attention to your style, plot, character building, etc.
Build a Portfolio
If you are planning to become a professional writer, you should create a portfolio. Choose your best works, even if they are not published anywhere yet. If you plan to work as a freelance writer, try to include various pieces, for example, short stories, blog posts, articles, and essays.
The best way is to share your portfolio online, for example, through a blog site or platforms like Medium, where you can publish your texts.
