How to Start Writing

How to start writing. Although it seems like this how to article might have an easy answer such as start writing simply by starting...it may not be so simple as just that.

The written word has an amazing and marvelous power. The trick is to harness that wonderful power and share it with your readers.

In the broadest sense there are two categories of writing. These are fiction and non-fiction. There are different methods to use for these different types of writing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pen
• Paper
• Pencil
• Crayon
• Computer

1. 
   Writer

   Start your writing with a good fact that is specific, interesting and important. This is especially true when writing non-fiction. Even if this first sentence or paragraph does not make it through your final draft, it will still be an excellent tool to propel you forward in your writing.

2. 
   A frustrated reader is not likely to return to read more.

   Remember that in non-fiction writing there is little leeway for irrelevant information. You do not want to waste your reader's time if you want them to look forward to reading future pieces that you will write.

3. 
   Get right to the heart of the topic.

   Penetrate the heart of the matter that you are attempting to convey in your opening paragraph. This will keep the reader interested and will provide you with a piece of writing that you will be proud to refer others to. This means that you should cut directly into the core of your central theme or idea from the very beginning.

4. Use a mechanical method for just getting started when necessary. Whether that means to look around the room you are sitting in and start writing a description of it or if it means to pick a key word and start writing around that key word, do whatever it takes to get started. You will find your flow once the movement has begun.

Tips & Warnings

• For fiction, trying starting with a situation.
• Be careful with starting with any idea or concept that is too off-base. You will have to reel your mind into a different direction and this may slow you down even further.