I want to write...
Where do I start...?
01
READ
Read, read, read. You have probably heard this a thousand times, but it is the truth! To become a great writer, you must be an even greater reader. Read anything and everything you can get your hands on, and don't limit yourself to one genre. You'd be surprised to see how varied your tastes may be!
02
Write
Write. This may sound self explanatory, but the hardest step of writing is always the first few sentences. So, don't get into your head too much and just get your story or poem on the page. Trust your brain, and trust your instincts. If you're stuck on what to write, we offer weekly prompts!
03
Peer Edit
Now that you've read, wrote, and (hopefully) edited your own writing, it's time to peer edit! If you have friends that enjoy reading or writing, reach out and send your work to them! Create a writing trade schedule to keep you motivated. Or, here at Pen&Quill, we also have a peer editing service to get some comments on your work. It can be super scary to share your work with others, but we promise that the P&Q community wishes you nothing but success.
04
Submit
This step is usually the most intimidating to young/beginning writers because, yes, you will get rejected a hundred times. But, you need to get your work out there and your voice deserves to be heard! Submit to everywhere, especially local competitions or places with an age division so you can submit or compete with others your age. Not sure where to submit? Check out our litmag guide under "Resources" to get started. Good luck!