So, You Want to Be a Writer?

What are some tips on becoming a writer?

1. Read everything you can. Most writers are voracious readers. They read because they love to lose themselves in books. They like the sounds of language and the way that reading a good description can feel as satisfying as winning a baseball game or eating a banana split.

As you read, pay attention to what speaks to you. Do you like stories that are fastpaced and full of unexpected twists? Do you prefer to read books with characters who seem like someone you might know? Do you like tales that take you on faraway adventures, or ones that explain the mysteries of the natural world? Do you like to feel scared when you read under the covers, or do you like a story that makes you laugh until you cry? Think about the types of writing you like best, and try to identify the qualities that appeal to you.

2. Keep a notebook. It’s easy to forget a good idea if you do not record it immediately. If you get in the habit of carrying a notebook or journal with you everywhere you go, you can write down anything you want to remember. When you are talking to friends in the cafeteria or waiting for the bus, something might spark an idea for a character or a scene in a story. You might have a dream you don’t want to forget, or you might just write down the lyrics of a song you love. These everyday thoughts and observations can be material for a story, poem, or essay that you write one day.

3. Write every day. One piece of advice that nearly all writers agree on is that writers must write. It doesn’t matter if you feel like you have nothing to say; the important thing is that you write every single day. Sometimes, you need to give yourself permission to write things you know won’t be your best work. Once you start writing, you’ll see that this is a good way to clear your mind and make room for more of the “good stuff. ” 4. Join or start a writing group. Do you have any friends who enjoy writing? Think about starting a writing group with other people who have similar interests. It helps to have the support of other writers. You will also receive valuable feedback, or suggestions, about how to make your work better.

5. Do your homework. If you decide that you would like to submit your work for publication, make sure to do your research. If you are sending your writing to a magazine, look through old issues. Does it seem like your writing fits in with the other stories or articles? If you are submitting to a book publisher, explore their website to make sure your material is similar to (but not exactly the same as) other books they publish.

Also make sure that you pay attention to the guidelines. Present your work to them exactly the way they have requested it. If your work doesn’t conform to their guidelines, the publisher may not even look at it.

6. Stay positive. A writer’s life can be frustrating. Sometimes it’s hard to sit down and write. You may get many rejections before you receive a single acceptance. This is why perseverance is an important quality for a writer to have.

Writing can also be one of the most satisfying jobs in the world. Most writers feel lucky to do what they do and wouldn’t trade their career for any other. You could be one of them someday.

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

120

1. Check the phrase that best describes the author’s purpose.

to instruct

to entertain

to inform

2. Name three things you might record in a writer’s notebook.

3. What does the author mean by “Do your homework”?

4. Why is perseverance an important quality for a writer to have?

5. Why do you think that most writers like to read?

6. On the lines below, write a summary of Step 3.

7. Why do you need to write every day?

8. What do you think the author’s feelings about writing as a professional are? Why?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

121