How to get into writing

[Smo2]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone on here is a writer of any kind?

I've been writing for a long time, and people are always telling me that I should write a book, or write for a living. I update my page regularly for friends and family, who make these comments on a fairly regular basis. Much of what I write is intended to make people laugh.

While that's all very flattering, I'm not naive enough to think that I am in any way experienced enough to just become a writer! But I would like to know, those of you who write...how did you get into it?

I've looked and seen local creative writing classes, Uni courses...and I just don't know where to start. Most of what I write is social commentary, generally my own personal experiences, though I have some ideas completely ridiculous fantasies that I might be actually know what I'm doing and I could see myself submitting articles to newspapers, that may or may not get published ....

I'd really appreciate any wise words from anyone who knows where it's at

Thanks very much :)

Are there any writers groups where you live? People that get together to share what they've written, constructively.
What about writers' blogs or online competitions?
I used to know some, but I'm afraid my brain is frozen up this evening.

Sorry, I also meant to say, that do you know that MN has a creative writing section? Lots of good advice/experience on there!

Ooooo, no I didn't...I'll have a look for that now, thank you :)

Hubpages.com is great for writing creatively for a little money. If you want to earn more have a look at textbroker.co.uk - an online agency.

Hello, I'm a writer.

Do you mean you have a blog? That's a good start. What kind of writing do you want to do? There not much call for "social commentary" unless you're a celebrity using a ghostwriter but magazines and websites always need good writers.

How old are you? Most magazines offer internships. Call the HR departments of publishing companies and submit your cv.

I didn't do a writing course, I did an advertising/copywriting course. It was brilliant! But several universities run journalism degrees.

Really though, the best advice is TO WRITE. Update your blog daily, network with other bloggers so your page gets more hits, write the first 3 chapters and a synopsis of your book, ask to be a guest contributor on other blogs...

Mumsnet do a blogging thing, don't they? Get your blog on there.

Oh! I forgot -- self-publishing is wonderful now and you might as well sidestep the usual agent route and sell your own book. I'm 150 years old so I've always been sniffy about "vanity publishing", but it's actually one of the best ways to get a publishing deal. Write, sell and promote your own book and then approach big publishing houses offering them a piece of the action.

There's a great blogger/writer who has loads of tips on this. Lori Culwell