Writing Tips
By: Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith
Writing tips are always helpful to have when you are first starting out with your writing career. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a workshop for Native Youth who were working on writing a memoir piece. I came up with the following tips that I eventually brought into the youth and the workshop moderator to have. Check out my tips, and if you have any other tips, writer friends please let me know via email at chrissy.miskonoodinkwesmith@gmail.com.
1. Read and read again in any genre that piques your interest. You can write in multiple genres.
2. Read books by your favorite writers, and if even read books that you don’t think you will like. It is good to get a rounded out picture of the genre you would like to write in.
3. When you are first starting out, try to write for community papers, or newsletters through your school/work etc.
4.Don’t be afraid to reach out and publish in anthologies or like what is stated above-cover events and get them published in your community’s paper. Publish opinion pieces or write on an issue that is important at the time of your writing but don’t wait too long to pitch it and send it out to First Nations media outlets.
5. You can also write for magazines/periodicals.
6. Do your research and do it well. You never want to send writing to a publishing press/house or another media outlet that doesn’t focus on the genre you are writing in.
7. Network and go to events that involve other fellow or likeminded writers.
8. Take your time with your work. Try not to rush yourself, but it is important to pay attention to deadlines if you are writing for a newspaper/magazine and eventually down the road when you are working with an editor and/or publisher.
9. Writing on topics that are close to you can often be emotional and triggering. Learn how to take care of yourself in those moments. Have a support system in place if you can. Step away if you must and come back to your writing project at another time that you are feeling safer in.
10. Write in as many genres as you can- don’t be afraid to dabble in poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, whatever helps you in your writing journey.
Happy Writing!