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This is adapted from an article that appeared on the Write Anything website on February 3, 2008. The original text can be found here.

Words of Advice

I’m going to list three writing tips. And once I’m finished, I’d like you to suggest some tips of your own. If you play along, then hopefully we’ll have a pretty good tip sheet for anyone struggling with their writing, just starting out on writing, or becoming jaded with the whole process.

So, on with the game.

Just do it.
Don’t say you are a writer. Don’t talk about how much you want to write. Don’t spend time thinking about all the stories you would like to write. Sit down. And do it. Write. Pick up a pen. Scribble into a notepad. Tap the keys. Write. Just write. Do it. No excuses. You think Joe Montana won his Superbowl rings talking about being a great quarterback? Write. That is the number one tip. There are no secrets. There are no shortcuts. Letters form words, words form sentences, sentences form pages, pages form books!

(And yes, I’m extremely guilty of not following this one myself!)
Be messy
Name an author who had their first draft published. While you’re thinking, I’ll be over there, patiently waiting...

...

There are probably some, but they are incredibly rare. Is your first draft messy? Is the grammar and spelling a little sloppy? Are there plot holes? Good. It is a first draft. It is supposed to be like that. The messier the better. If you strive for perfection when you start out you will get hung up on all the little minutiae of form, language, grammar etc., and you will forget the story that you are trying to tell. Story first. Get that sorted out, then go back and tidy up the details.
Look around you
Now, I know that the first tip is "just write", and that the second tip is "be messy", but you aren’t going to get very far without something to write about. Where does inspiration come from? Well, I hate to say it, but it isn’t from your mind. Not wholly. A writer never writes in isolation. You are a part of the world, the world is a part of you, and that is where your inspiration comes from. Because if your writing is not familiar, honest, authentic, then nobody will read it. Whether your story is a true to life family drama, or a science fiction fantasy set on another world, the emotions, the interactions between the characters have to be realistic or your story will fall flat.

Inspiration comes from anywhere, at any time. Keep an interest in real life, and you will have all the story inspiration you will ever need.