Creative writing tips for new and seasoned writers

Bring your ideas to life: a guide to throwing yourself into creative writing

Have you ever felt you had a mad story, a poem or a whole world inside your head and no idea how to get it out? Welcome to the club. That is exactly what creative writing is about. Forget instruction manuals and dull reports; here we play with imagination, words and emotion to make something that really connects with people.

Creative writing is the art of telling stories, of painting with words. It is what keeps you hooked on a novel until the small hours, what makes a poem raise the hairs on your arm, what makes a play leave you laughing out loud. Poetry, short stories, novels, screenplays, essays where you open your heart… it all fits in this bag. The trick is finding your own voice, that “something” that makes your writing sound like you and nobody else.

In the end it is about touching a nerve. By using metaphor, creating characters who seem made of flesh and blood, and describing places you can almost smell, you make the person reading feel, think and be moved. It is a formidable way of sharing what you carry inside — your fears, your dreams — and sometimes it is even therapeutic. For you as much as for the reader.

First steps: advice if you are starting out

Starting to write is like joining a gym: it hurts at first, but with persistence you get stronger. If you are new to this, here are a few tricks to get going.

• Build the habit: Don’t wait for divine inspiration. Try to write a little every day, even a single paragraph. Consistency is your best friend for getting ideas flowing and for finding your style. Set an alarm if that is what it takes.

• Find your tribe: Share what you write. Join a writing workshop, find a group online, or simply pass your work to a friend you trust. Hearing other opinions gives you a fresh perspective and helps you polish your writing. Learn to filter, though: keep the criticism that helps you grow and discard what doesn’t fit your vision.

• Goodbye to writer’s block: Is the blank page glaring at you? Fight back. Try simple exercises: describe an odd photograph, start a story with a line you overheard in the street, or just write non-stop for ten minutes without worrying about sense or grammar (that is called free writing and it is pure magic). Play, experiment, enjoy it.

For those with calluses: how to keep growing

Have you been at this a while and feel you are stalling? Don’t worry, it happens to all of us. The key is not to settle.

• Leave your comfort zone: Do you always write realist stories? Try science fiction. Are you a poet? Have a go at a stage play. Exploring new genres is like pouring fuel on your creativity. It forces you to learn new rules and, who knows, you may discover a new passion.

• Shake up your style: Sometimes we get so used to our own way of writing that it becomes predictable. Challenge your own habits. If you always narrate in the first person, try the third. Experiment with odd structures, play with language. Read new authors, notice what is being published now. Staying curious is vital.

• Discipline is your ally: Keep setting yourself goals, even once you have published. A writing routine, however flexible, will keep you productive. And don’t isolate yourself: keep connecting with other writers. Sharing the battles, celebrating the wins and giving each other feedback is essential to keeping your bearings and staying motivated.

Your toolbox: resources and communities for writers

These days there is no excuse for writing alone (unless you want to, of course). The internet is teeming with resources and people like you. Here is a list to start poking around in.

Platforms for publishing and getting feedback:

• Wattpad: A giant. Ideal if you want to be read right now and to get comments straight from readers. There is everything on it, from fanfiction to original novels.

• Scribophile: A community more focused on constructive criticism. To get feedback on your chapters you first have to give critiques to others. Very useful for improving.

• Lektu: A Spanish platform where you can self-publish your ebooks and set whatever price you like (including free).

Communities and social media (inspiration lives here):

• Facebook groups: Look for groups like “Escritores y Lectores” or “Apoyo a Escritores”, or ones specific to your genre. They are excellent for asking questions, sharing your progress and finding beta readers.

• Instagram and #Bookstagram: It isn’t only for readers. Follow accounts that give writing advice, such as @literautas, @dianapmorales.es or @gabriellaliteraria. Use hashtags like #escrituracreativa, #consejosdeescritor or #escribir to get your work seen and to connect with other authors.

• Twitter (or X): Follow publishers, literary agents and your favourite authors. It is a good place to hear about competitions, open calls and what the industry is doing.

Tools that make life easier:

• Scrivener: If you write novels or long projects, this program is your best friend. It lets you organise scenes, characters, research and everything else in one place.

• Lorca Editor: A free online text editor built for writers. It helps you avoid repetition, unnecessary adverbs and clichés. A marvel.

• Idea generators: When your brain has had enough, sites like Literautas have generators for characters, plots and opening lines that can get you out of a hole.

Podcasts to listen to on a walk:

• “El Podcast de Marketing Online para Escritores”: Ana González Duque gives extremely practical advice on how to move your work once it is written.

• “Café del Escritor”: Enjoyable conversations about the craft of writing, with interviews and thoughtful reflections.

So now you know. Creative writing is an incredible journey. You don’t need to be a genius, only to want to play, to explore and to tell something. Go for it.

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