7 ways to start writing

When you're an English major, the question everyone asks (after you reply "no" to "Do you want to be a professor?") is "So, do you want to write?" When I was feeling honest, I would answer that I didn't know many English majors who wouldn't love to be authors. It's the secret ambition of all English majors, and many other people, to write. Are you one of them? Since it's a Friday, and you're looking at a little free time over the next few days, why don't you try to jump start your writing this weekend? Here are a few ideas to get you typing away.

1. Read a good book. The best writing usually comes from people who constantly read good writing. Find a book by one of the great authors of your genre, one that you've been meaning to read. It will inspire you to write. Click here for a random survey of librarians' favorite books or ask a friend you trust.
2. Start with small writing exercises. Almost all authors write terrible prose (or poetry). For many, it's like photography. You're much more likely to get at least one good photograph if you take lots of pictures from lots of different angles. Write Anything is a blog devoted to creative writing exercises that might get your juices flowing.
3. Join a group. Find a writing group in your area and then email the members to tell them how excited you are to write with them. It may sound a bit nerdy, but after that, you'll have to actually attend the meetings, right?
4. Write to your favorite author. It doesn't even have to be your favorite living writer. It will get you thinking about great literature and get you writing something.
5. Find a good writing blog. Find a good blog about writing or publishing and make it your browser's home page, or subscribe to a writer-oriented newsletter. It will be a constant reminder to write. For some suggestions, try this list of top 100 creative writing blogs.
6. Involve a friend. You know that really good friend you have, the one that actually follows up on what you say you'll do and makes you do it? Tell her (or him) that you're planning on writing.
7. Try a page a day. This works best in concert with #6. Commit to writing a page a day for one month. If it's terrible, keep writing. You don't have to reread it. Just keep writing. If you don't know what to write, keep writing. The best way through writer's block is a bulldozer.

You can start small, but the point is to start living your dreams! You never know what might happen.