8 writing lessons I learnt after writing 500 articles - Debut

8 writing lessons I learnt after writing 500 articles - Debut Hey there folks. So, Ive written a lot of words. Enough words to fill up more than ten dissertations, in fact. Not to say that the quantity of my work has any bearing on how good my writing lessons or advice would be, of course. However, over the past few years as an employed content editor, I may have picked up a few tricks. 1. Youll be battling impostor syndrome all your career When I started my career, I wasnt a writer. I was a marketing executive. I had my nose in a variety of Microsoft Excel sheets, and the only writing I was doing were brief emails to my manager. Through circumstances too long to fit in this section without boring you, I accidentally ended up in the editorial department. In a sense, Ive been there ever since. Its almost laughably stereotypical for me to tell you this, but anxiety and impostor syndrome is a standard writers affliction. With something so subjective, its difficult to understand how to improve. So yes, youll constantly feel like what youre writing may not be good enough. Friend, there are two things to keep in mind. Firstly, belief in yourself will ebb and flow. Youre only human. Secondly, the most important thing about being an artist is the chase for perfection. With emphasis, of course, on the chase reflecting and taking stock of your writing ability is key to your improvement. You are a writer. Own it. 2. Sometimes, you have to game yourself into your writing mode In this day and age, open-plan offices are de rigeur. Which is, of course, means itll be a fairly collaborative space, with plenty of conversations and activity happening all the time. Some of us thrive in environments like this, the thrill of it all. Others may find these kinds of places  excruciatingly distracting. You have to figure out what puts you in the best frame of mind to write. Is it silence? Natural light? Stormzys G.S.A.P. album? Whatever it is, identify what triggers your writing mode, and switch it on when you can. If necessary, you should speak to your manager about stepping out of the office, or setting office hours in your calendar so they and your colleagues know when youre available to chat. Those articles arent going to write themselves. If youre one of those lucky ones who are allowed to work from home, however, dont lie to yourself. If you know that being on your couch in your pyjamas leads to a Netflix marathon rather than an afternoon of productivity, go to the office. You have to understand what circumstances allow you to be the best writer you can be. 3. Finding your voice is the hardest part, and itll constantly evolve When I first started writing content,  my copy was drier than the tundra. It was factual, to the point, and lacking in personality. Hey, it happens. Youre trying to learn all the rules before you can start breaking them. Figuring out how to insert yourself into your writing can only be done by one way: writing a LOT. For different publications. On different topics. Experimenting with your style. The more you throw at a wall, the easier it will be to figure out what sticks. Eventually youll come to know your various writing idiosyncrasies. Trust me, you have them. Theyre probably just lying dormant within you. 4. Dont think of yourself as just a writer If you view yourself as just a writer, you deny the fact that you, and your readers, contain multitudes. Youre not just a writer. Potentially, youre also an entertainer, a storyteller, an educator and an activist. Heres my point: whatever you choose to write about, you have to work at being an authority on that said subject. The vast majority of my writing lately has been about careers (naturally). In the beginning, I found this to be an uncomfortable position. You may have heard the phrase, write what you know, As Im still at the very early stages of my careers, dispensing careers advice felt fraudulent. The only remedy for a lack of confidence is the pursuit of knowledge. I threw myself into research, asked a ton of questions, and drafted and re-drafted pieces. Also, it is common for writers to forget about one important thing. Their audience. Thats when I realised I couldnt just write about careers (I mean, how boring would that be?) It was necessary for me to understand how to engage and entertain the readers that landed on my pieces. As a writer, youll have to tick a lot more boxes than you might expect. 5. The content landscape is changing radically The pen is no longer mightier than the sword. The pen now has to contend with the keyboard, and its arguably even stronger companion, the smartphone. Becoming digitally savvy will be your key to a successful career as a writer. See, even authors like J.K. Rowling and Matt Haig are avid Twitter users. More than ever, your writing will be intrinsically tied to your personal brand. This is perhaps alarming to some who want their work to stand apart from themselves, but hey. Take your social media presence and treat it like an extension of your portfolio. Beyond that, youll have to consider your contents distribution strategy with importance. Social media and SEO (search engine optimisation) will be your tools for getting your writing read. Pushing out an article on WordPress and leaving it there simply isnt enough anymore. 6. You dont have to write about serious things to be a serious writer If what youre passionate about is vegan food, the best highlighters from Superdrug, or the Champions League, so be it! It is not every writers responsibility to change the world. If thats not your aspiration, you shouldnt force it. In a year where writing may feel pointless if youre not talking about politics, you may feel like theres no point to your content. Quieten that doubtful voice- your piece on 5 quick and easy breakfasts for your commute is just as useful as any party manifesto breakdown.  Once you find purpose in your content, the words will flow. 7. A second pair of eyes over your writing is crucial Your writing needs editing. Fact. I dont publish any Debut pieces without either getting my trusty colleague Alex to proof it, and vice versa. Beyond sub-editing, a good editor will also help you shape your ideas, and either bring you back down to Earth if your ideas need refining, or encourage you to take a bigger leap with your writing. No writer is an island. Your second pair of eyes doesnt  need to be a fellow writer. What you need is someone who will take the time and care to nurture your talent. Ask a friend, or someone you look up to (nicely) to be your editing buddy. This will also help you learn how to receive and react to feedback. 8. Writers block or stagnation can only be solved by an active decision to refresh your circumstances Its normal for writers to experience stagnation, or writers block. One of the best writing lessons Ive ever learnt was to embrace that sinking feeling, and tackle it head on. Ive explored the cafés and workspaces of London. Tried every variant of green tea there is to consume. Sometimes, the once tried and tested methods to get me into my writing zone simply become ineffective. Instead of wallowing, I find that even simply making the active decision to get out of that funk will help to push me back on the bandwagon. Reader, I have  one more piece of advice. Write lots. The old adage practice makes perfect will always apply, especially to something like writing. If youre interested in writing for Debut, Id love to hear from you! Pitch us @DebutCareers. Go on. You know you want to. 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