How to get started - any and all advice welcome (habits, courses, tools - all of it)

[StColumbofNavron]

I'm at a point in life where I now have some time and some ££ to be able to do some writing. I have a FT job which can be quite stressful but not usually long hours; I have a family of teens; spend most of my free time reading, doing some historical research.

I've got ideas and have been jotting them whenever I have a moment, just rough notes, the odd sentence. I've always been complimented on my writing style, until I undertook a PhD (humanities if relevant) and feel like every ounce of creativity has been critiqued out of me.

I want to go back to my fiction ideas. I have about 5 main ideas with one having the potential to be a series.

I would like to be published one day, but I also would welcome the process of writing a book even if nobody else ever sees it. Ultimately, I would consider another MA or a publisher run course, but it is way too soon for that. I'm in London so can 'access' a lot.

Really I'm looking for do/don't 101.

• writing retreats (I love the idea of these, but also prob too soon)
• basic, intro courses
• longer term courses
• habits that work with jobs and/or family or other commitments
• tools (notepads, pens, pencils, tablets, Google drive - nothing is too mundane)
• anything else at all

I would like to have a very basic things to look forward to implementing in Sept - maybe a course and a routine.

It's a good plan to have something concrete to aim for, but I wouldn't be trying to book courses or retreats until you've actually sat down and done a fair bit of actual writing. Some short stories perhaps, or a couple of chapters of a novel. You learn a huge amount by just writing - not least whether you're likely to want to stick with it, before you start spending money on it!

I've recently started running creative writing sessions, and they are intended to be most useful to newish writers, and to help them understand some of the most helpful tools and techniques. If someone came to me and said they hadn't started the actual writing process yet, I would probably try to persuade them to come back in a few weeks with a bit of writing under their belt. They would get far more out of the session at that point as I'd be able to see some of their writing and pitch my advice appropriately, and because they should, by then, have started feeling their way towards some of the questions I'd be wanting to answer in the session.

As a writer, having certain things explained early on can save you a lot of stumbling around in the dark, but I think you still need to do some stumbling, in order to have an idea of the possible trip-hazards, and in order to start seeing the outline of some interesting things that you'd like to know more about - if that analogy makes sense. There's also the fact that once you start learning, it inevitably slows you down for a while, as you're constantly thinking 'am I doing X thing right?' I don't think you ever get another shot at that first unfettered splurge of creativity when you just have to get your idea down. I remember mine, and I wish I could have that feeling again.

With the bigger, more expensive courses, I definitely think you need a lot of writing time under your belt first. Not least because most of them will ask to see a sample or portfolio of your writing first.

At this point, I'd suggest putting aside some dedicated time to just write. Explore ideas and see what sticks. Play around with different ways of actually getting the words down - typing, writing long-hand, even dictating. Think about whether you want to plot everything out first or just see where the urge takes you. There are loads of good creative writing books available if you're keen to start learning straight away. Google will bring up loads of recommendations. Some of the more narrative ones about the writing process are a really good read.

Good luck!

I'm a creative writing tutor so I would say this, but a short course can be really helpful. It means you have a regular appointment to write every week and a good course will introduce you to a range of ideas and topics so you can find out what kind of writer you are. You should also get some feedback on your work. Try the Workers' Educational Association for reasonably priced courses and also look out for one off workshops from places like the Northern Writers Studio.

Thanks both. I asked the same question on Twitter and got some really good advice too. The one thing I did based on a suggestion is write a really long list of 'word prompts' around my idea and every day I randomly generate a number and write two pages.

I think the above is sage advice about writing first, I have a job where being organised and planning is my entire day so I suppose I am working out the steps.

I have seen a short one day course at City Lit, but I am just going to carry on writing everyday then see where I am after the summer holidays (actually going to the place I am writing about).

I started in the summer of last year. I have a full-time busy job and a primary-aged daughter. I slot in writing while waiting for her to do activities (I'll take my laptop and sit in the car or outside), and then in the evenings while DH is working out.

I started by reading a book on the outlining process, as that appealed to me. I listen to a lot of music and created a playlist with songs that inspired the theme I was writing. Whether that be the melody, beat, or words. I also write down any prompts, lyrics, sayings, words, etc in a notebook for inspiration.

I did an outline using Trello, moving the cards around on a kanban board! And then started using Scrivener free trial. Since then I've just plugged away at my first ever first draft. Bought more books on POV, etc, and topics I found hard. I am 75k words in. May be rubbish but I have learned so much already. Who knows where I will be in another decade!

I backup my work to Google Drive.

Well done @Ceridwenn that is fantastic. Music is a big part of what I am writing about so having it on is totally inspiring.

If you have a good idea I did the free ‘write your first novel’ course on FutureLearn. You do it in your own time and get feedback from 5 other peers for each chapter (and feedback 5 others as well). I’ll be honest, some of the stuff written on there is terrible and you don’t always get as much feedback as you’d like, but just having that structure has really helped me actually write.

Defo check out Eventbrite for writing courses / sessions. As you’re in London there are so many (well there were so many pre-covid) courses available. I’ve attended so many - all provided me with something different.

I went to a writing session where we had prompts and had to listen to different styles of music - that was fun.

I’ve done short courses on screenwriting and flash fiction.

I’ve attended writing groups where you all meet and write for the first hour or so and then go for a drink after to discuss what you’ve done - that was so good for accountability.

As I was still trying to find a style doing all these things were really great. I also bought a writing prompt book - The 5 minute writer which has been useful.

goos luck :)

I'd join some courses. If you are near London, City Lit is a brilliant place to start and I've heard great things about Birkbeck. If not, joining a local evening class or writer's workshop would be a good start.

Arvon do fantastic week long residential courses, Oxford and Cambridge do summer schools - maybe other unis do too.

There are online courses all over the place - some with live tutorials and workshops (Goldsmiths do these), some which are more self guided learning. IME the ones you pay for are way better than free ones, as you get proper tutor feedback on your work from a tutor.

If you have a lot of money, you could get a writing mentor.

Reading some books about how novels are structured will save you a lot of time. Books on how screenplays are structured are also really helpful to novelists as they are so strong on story arcs and character motivation.

Forgive me - I meant Coursera

future learn has some too but not all free

Ah, more responses. Thank you all. I am
in London (and a BBK grad actually) so very familiar with them and I have looked longingly at their English dept from afar. I’m still a long way from being able to do anything they offer though. All great ideas, and crucially, ideas that will get me doing something at least.

I’ve just started a Curtis brown starting to write your novel short course. It’s a lot of fun and is helping me with the procrastination!

I’ve decided to enter a Mslexia competition which should focus the mind. I don’t expect to get a look in at all, but it’s a deadline and a theme and a word count, which is a good start.