For a writer, nothing is more simultaneously exciting and daunting than a blank page.
Despite being a common obstacle all writers must confront, there is no set guideline on how to start writing.
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Earnest Hemingway reportedly wrote at the first morning light every day. Maya Angelou said she kept a deck of cards and crossword puzzles on hand to manage her focus. And John Green says that he gives himself "permission to suck" and deletes 90 percent of his first drafts.
Inspired by the #TwitterFiction Festival, a celebration of digital storytelling for amateur and experienced writers, we've thought about new ways to start writing. So our social book club MashableReads asked for your best advice for new writers.
Check out some of our favorite tips below.
@mashreads Keep trying new things: in reading, in writing. And write about stuff you care about. #MashReads— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) May 16, 2015
Keep it short #mashreads https://t.co/Al5TXTGF3E— Eric Eisen (@eric_eisen) May 15, 2015
#MashReads When creating anything, don't be afraid to be original. Nobody but you has lived your unique life.— Shannanniganz (@Shannanniganz) May 15, 2015
@mashreads @mashable Finish it. More important than anything else. The rest is details. Finish it. #MashReads— Ralph Pullins (@RDPullins) May 16, 2015
Write as though your mother is never going to read a word of it. #mashreads— Karen Sanders (@studiozola) May 16, 2015
Write the thing you can and not the thing you want. Forcing something will only end in no one liking it. #MashReads— Aleks Curac Saric (@AleksCuracSaric) May 16, 2015
Good writers write but great writers show #mashreads— Faysal Malik (@faysal79) May 15, 2015
Practice writing at the same time each day. #MashReads!— Marcella Glenn (@marcellaglenn) May 17, 2015
Read until your eyes bleed. Then read some more. #mashreads— Michele Blood (@NewJerseyWriter) May 17, 2015
#MashReads writing fiction? I create back stories & outlines, then story board to best organize my content & timelines.— Angela Treat Lyon (@AngelaTreatLyon) May 17, 2015
Prioritize your writing life. Schedule your writing time so you write daily. Keep that time free of distractions. #MashReads— Stacey Shubitz (@raisealithuman) May 17, 2015
There's always room for growth in writing. Allow your pen to two-step down the page, jubilant and free of judgement, like a child #mashreads— lindsayannnnn (@lindsayannnnn) May 17, 2015
If you want to be a writer- then wrote something everyday- good or bad. The good will come, sometimes it just needs to be primed #MashReads— Rich Greene (@BigDrill) May 15, 2015
To young #writers - know your audience & tell a story. #mashreads— Michelina Williamson (@mwcreativecomm) May 15, 2015
Write with the end in mind. Draw a conclusion. Compel an action. #MashReads— Jerry Gennaria (@gennaria) May 15, 2015
Write what you know. Show, don't tell. Delete the word 'that'. You don't have to write everyday. Never give up #MashReads #writingtips— Adora Herveaux (@adoraherveaux) May 15, 2015