Seven Writing Secrets for Aspiring Writers.
If you have thought about it, you can do it! According to the Hindu Vedas and Upanishads — the Universe was created by a thought. When an amateur writer asked Ernest Hemingway about what he should do and how to write to become a great writer like him, Hemingway replied — “Start with yourself” this was an honest reply. You can write honestly about things that are closest to you. So, before you read, close the window, sit down and write down an honest page about yourself. It is the first step that you will take in your journey as an accomplished writer. Once you have done that, we will see other aspects that are required to become a writer.
Now having written about yourself, look into every aspect of yourself. Start with a mirror and describe your physical self. Next, see yourself from another perspective — your parents, siblings, friends. Lastly, write about your emotional self, who you are apart from the regular identity thrust upon you.
As an aspiring writer, it is essential to allow yourself to experience as you are. You must question yourself why you want to be a writer? What is the reason that you have decided to be a writer? Is writing just a hobby, or it is one aspiration that encompasses many others. This awareness will give you a realistic picture of yourself.
Each one of us holds within ourselves an identity. To nurture this identity, one must develop the art of putting thoughts into words. Let me share the seven writing secrets for aspiring writers that I have understood after a decade of writing books. If you cannot write down a page about yourself, you must drop the pen and look for something else. There are better ways for you to leave a mark.
1. Observe: No one can teach you creativity, but the first requirement is observation. Observe yourself how you walk, how you speak, how you think. Now observe others how they walk, how they talk with gestures, and try to grasp how they feel or think. All my characters in my novels are real-life people who were brought to life by careful observation. Every individual has his way of speaking, body language, and gestures. Observe them and try to create a living character through the magic of words. When you write about a particular individual, readers should know about the individual.
2. Learn but Don’t Copy: Even if you write as good as Hemingway or Jack London, you cannot be either of them. The world already has a Hemmingway; why would they need another one when they already have the original? However, the world may accept you and your unique style. Learn from the masters but never copy their style or idea. Plagiarism is a disease — stay away from it. Don’t be afraid of mistakes; make mistakes and learn from them.
3. Be Curious: Curiosity comes with enthusiasm, and if you love what you are doing, you will be curious to learn. By being curious, we discover creative ideas and explore new ways of saying things. Never miss an opportunity to learn something or express something. The intensity and surprises of life should enchant you every moment.
4. Always Keep a Notebook: I always find creative verses and ideas at odd hours. The biggest lesson that I have learned is to keep a notebook and a pen with me. Ideas can strike your mind at 2 am or when you are out for a walk or pulling weights in a gym. Even if you have an astounding memory, be rest assured the idea will fade away. Never rely on your memory, note it down, don’t miss it. I have written at least ten poems while I was traveling in a cab or a bus. The changing landscapes and new faces around boosts up the audacious author in me. These were the best poems I have ever written. Now I keep a pen and a piece of paper or a handy notebook with me always.
5. Write Every day: According to Henry David Thoreau — “Thoughts breeds thoughts” the more you think and write on a particular subject or an idea, the more you can write. As a writer, you must inspire yourself to write every day. Keep a diary or a journal and get into the habit of writing every day. A Diary is a formal pattern of entries done daily. It’s a catalog of observations, activities, expressions, and routines. A journal is a record of your intuitions, alter ego, subconsciousness, and those thoughts that you rarely share with others. At every stage, an aspiring writer must record in words his experiences in life. When I wrote my first book, most of my references were from the diary entries and thought journal that I maintained regularly.
6. Cohesiveness, Precision, and Sincerity. The secret of writing lies in cohesiveness, accuracy, and sincerity. Now, precision means what you want to say, whereas sincerity implies how you feel. There must be cohesion between your words and thought process. You must be clear about what you want to say and follow it step by step. If you are not clear about the central idea, you will get stuck — commonly known as writer’s block. Cohesion implies connectedness in words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters, and the entire story.
7. Secret Number Seven. There is no seventh secret of writing. The seventh secret is — remember the above six secrets.
These are the seven writing secrets for aspiring writers that you must follow if you intend to start your journey as a writer. Words trigger ideas, and ideas are the foundation of creative writing. The prerequisite is your approach to life and the element of empathy. So, keep in mind everything around you has relevance and a story. All you need is the element of creativity to craft these things into words. In conclusion, if anyone asks why you want to be a writer, remind yourself that there is nothing so joyful, creative, and bold. It’s a dream, and no amount of money or fame can replace it.
