I personally find the only way to write successfully is to write. This may seem a silly statement but we are all full of reasons and excuses not to allow ourselves time to do just that. How many times have you said to yourself, I would love to be able to write, If only I had the time?" Or "I'm not in the mood to write, so there is no point, it'll only be rubbish."

Here are a few tried and tested suggestions that may help you along your way to fulfilling the dream of becoming a writer.

1)

Write every day. Whether you sit for hours at the computer, or rattle off a few words on paper, make sure you write every day. The best encouragement for you is to allow, or discipline yourself to write everyday.

2)

Make time, find time to write, 5 minutes whilst you are waiting for the kettle to boil, 10 minutes whilst on lunch break, 30 minutes after work, or before bed time, once you've got the children, husband, dog off to there destination grab time for you. What I am trying to say is if you really want to write, you will find time.

3)

Take professional guidance or support. There is a huge market out there for freelance writer's, ranging from magazine articles to full-blown stories or factual features. But no matter how good your writing is, it is unlikely to get published unless you know the market you are aiming for. The best way to gain this knowledge is to seek professional advice.

4)

There is an old saying some inexperienced writer's use. "I did not write today because I was not in the mood." You do not have to be in the mood to write, it's an added bonus, a luxury if you are. Sit down and start to write. It does not have to be a paragraph attaining to a future masterpiece. Write about how you feel, the weather, the row with your husband, anything! But write. These little slots of non-descript writing could lead to a storyline, a plot or at the very least spark of an idea for a letters page of a magazine. Try it, it works!

5)

Read, read, read. One of the problems I had as new writer, is I felt reading was a time of indulgence, I should be writing. What of it? Reading is just as important as following your desire to write. How can you be expected to write for publication if you do not watch the market? Drown yourself in as much reading as you wish, but I encourage you to read as much variation of material as you can. Read things you would not normally read. Go spend time in well-known bookstores, dip in and savour recent articles, books or periodicals. Now when I put up my feet and open a book or paper I just think, 'Brain put up the do not disturb sign I'm working!'

6)

As you progress into the above stages of beginning to regularly write, you will be amazed how your mind draws ideas deep from within. You will have thoughts, dreams and ideas at the most inopportune moments. Carry a notebook and pen, one in each handbag or car, one beside the bed, in the kitchen and other rooms. Even take a Dictaphone to record those gem-like ideas that burst from you like water from a spring. I know this advice is old school, but why knock something if it works.

7)

If you have written a few words or pages that you feel are no good, don't throw them away, keep them. One day you may be stuck for something to write, going back over these old written pages can bring a wealth of ideas.

8)

Finally, enjoy. Find an inner peace, take time to reflect on life, become a people watcher. No matter how busy your life there is always time to see the world through a writers eye. Any professional advice or course you take should be able to enlighten you to do just this.

Whatever our position or status in life. Whatever our background. We were all born equal. We all develop and grow in our own unique way. Our background or place in society though may have some immediate bearing on our circumstances, has no real bearing on our future.

I was no more born a writer than William Shakespeare or Charles Dickens. David Beckham was no more born a footballer than Bobby Charlton or Gordon Banks. These are the careers that we as individuals chose to follow. Yes I agree that there has to be some form of talent or flair for our chosen paths but, I stress, I believe we are the drivers of our own destiny.

All of us flourish much more with encouragement, but in the end, I believe it is ourselves that decide the actions we will take.

HAPPY WRITING!