Ten Tips to Decide What to Write

By Suzan L. Wiener
Copyright © 2007 by Suzan L. Wiener, All Rights Reserved

Are you having trouble determining where your writing skills lie? Are you a beginner and not sure where your strength is: poetry, fiction or non-fiction? Why not try your hand in all areas? Soon you will know by the editors' acceptance or rejection if your work is viable and what your strongest suit is. Also, even if you're not the best at one category, you can still write in it and get it accepted as long as you do your best work.

l. For instance, I tried writing children's poems, but didn't have much success. Yet, as soon as I started writing light verse and love poetry, I did very well. Of course, I keep trying in other areas, hoping for an acceptance, but I concentrate more on what works.

2. The old saying "Give them what they want" definitely applies here. If editors keep rejecting your work in one specific writing area, then it's time to try another. You'll easily turn failure into success if you gear your work to what an editor needs.

3. Read what other authors are writing and see if they have a similar style to what you write. Then you can submit your best manuscript to the the editor of a similar piece. The editor will notice and you will get an acceptance.

4. The more you write, the more you will learn what you enjoy writing. Even if you just write a few lines a day, keep at it, so you won't lose the flow and you will feel like you are accomplishing something worthwhile.

5. Keep a notebook and pen handy so you can write down any ideas that come to you. Then when you are ready to write one out completely, you will have the basic idea already. You won't have to grope for ideas that aren't forthcoming.

6. Never be afraid to venture into different genres of writing. I am not a sci-fi or horror writer, but I have written a few stories in these genres and I enjoyed writing them, though I don't think I will be doing too many of those.

7. If you can join a group of writers who write in the same area you do, that will help you gain ideas and it will make writing a lot more interesting. Your writing will reflect that.

8. Buy the various magazines in which you want your work to appear; even back issues, if you can. See how the type and style of the poetry or stories have changed. You will be well-informed and it will make your writing stand out.

9. It is much easier to stick to one field of writing, but you won't mature as a writer if you do that and your writing probably won't improve. We always have to move forward, even with our writing abilities.

10. Read as many books on writing genres as you can. You will get the full feeling of writing and know what you are writing about. Knowledge in your area is very important.

If you follow the above tips, you will be able to write in many different genres, from humor to horror and everything in between.