How to become a better writer and other stupid questions

Day 3/90 — The top 4 questions of wannabe-writers

Ever since I started sharing my poetry on instagram and growing a following, I’ve been receiving weird direct messages from random people. Now that I’ve passed 3000 well-engaged followers, I get about 5–10 new messages a day. Half of these messages are requests for a shoutout or a follow-back, but I was genuinely surprised about the contents of the other half.

Messages containing the following questions reach me every day:

• How do you make money writing?
• How do you become a writer?
• Where do you get your ideas?
• How do you become a better writer?

Now while I’m all for asking, I believe that asking (most of) the above questions is a form of laziness.

If you don’t like the answer, don’t ask again

When these messages first started reaching me, I politely wrote long replies, sent over a few useful links, and offered words of encouragement. Nobody ever wrote back.

Because they never liked the answers.

Many people ask questions when they don’t know the answer (Group 1). Just as many people ask questions when they know the answer, but don’t like it (Group 2).

People asking the above questions are always — I repeat, always — in group two. If you don’t like the answer, don’t ask again. Accept the answer or move on with your life. Alternatively, start asking different, action-orientated questions. Here are some suggestions:

• What was the first piece of writing you got paid for and why?
• What do you do, when you don’t know what to write about?

So what are the answers to the four most asked questions?

How do you make money writing?

1 — I wrote (a lot).

2 — Eventually, I became a decent writer.

3 — I started looking for writing gigs around me and on websites such as freelancer.com.

4 — I apply for gigs.

5 — I get paid.

In other words, to make money writing: you start writing, keep on writing, and look for business. There’s no other secret.

How do you become a writer?

You start writing. You (probably) enjoy it. You keep on writing.

Boom, you’re now a writer.

Where do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from observing, reflecting on the observed, and taking the time to clear my thoughts (i.e. meditation, exercise) to make room for ideas to emerge from the observed. I also read a lot. Reading inspires both ideas and extends my vocabulary (which sometimes, gives me new ideas).

Really, you can get ideas anywhere. Just listen, watch, and feel.

How do you become a better writer?

By writing.

By reading.

By editing.

Want to contribute to shared and done?

Send in your submission via medium or email me.

This is day 3 of 90 days that I will be sharing something I’ve learned here in this publication. Don’t miss it.