Writing Advice I Wish I Learned At The Start of My Journey

I recently learned that I have been typing for ten years incorrectly and only discovered it after quitting my job to be a full-time writer. To learn that your typing speed is below average after betting everything on yourself is nothing short of earth-shattering. It’s something that can obviously be fixed with time and practice. But to save others from the same pain and heartache, here are five things that I wish I learned at the start of my writing journey. These are things that I have learned in the last month of trial and error. And while my pockets are screaming from my meager wages, I find this kind of insight invaluable to someone at the starting line.

#1 Learn Your Writing Speed and Typing Deficiencies

As I expressed earlier, it is very devastating to learn that you write slower than average. As writers, you are usually charged by the word. That means the faster you can type, the more you can make. This is an invaluable skill that is very easy to acquire and there are two useful resources that are available to help. Both websites are free at the time I’m writing this and I have no personal affiliation with them other than that I am currently using them on my personal journey to being a faster writer.

10fastfingers.com

This is a great place to start and learn how fast you type on average. When you make an account, you have the ability to track your progress and learn the average speed of your writing after trying it out a few times. There is even a multiplayer mode where you can compete with others logged into the server. It is a nice place to go when you have you competitive hat on and want to get those wpm’s (words per minute) up.

Keybr.com

This is the best typing test I’ve ever experienced. It uses AI to track what words you excel at and which ones need some help. They take you letter by letter and simulate about 1 minute's worth of words for you to type. It helps with your hand placement and accuracy rather than overall speed. What I love about this test specifically is that I can track my progress on each individual letter and retrain my brain to type in a more efficient way.

I use both websites to get the full scope of what my writing potential is. I would recommend starting with 10fastfingers.com and then spending 30 minutes on keybr.com before returning to 10fastfingers. I have seen an overall improvement in my own skills after just two weeks of consistent training.

#2 Learn What You Like to Write

Discovering your writing preferences is essential for your growth as a writer. Take the time to explore various genres and styles without the fear of “doing it wrong”. Try writing short stories, blog posts, essays, and even poetry. Experimenting with different types of writing can help you identify what resonates with you the most for the long term of your career. When you find a genre or style that you genuinely enjoy, your writing will become more authentic and passionate.

#3 Learn Your Niche

If you want to establish yourself as an expert in a specific field or genre, it's crucial to identify your niche early in your writing journey. Your niche could be anything from travel writing to technical manuals or from romance novels to scientific articles. Research the market and audience for your chosen niche to understand its demands and trends.

Once you've chosen your niche, immerse yourself in it. Absorb as much content that you can get ahold of so you can understand different trends and styles within your niche. Network with others in your field by attending conferences and meet ups. This is will not only build your community of fellow writers but also get fresh perspective on how to approach your work and reach your target audience.

#4 Learn What Are Your Strengths & Weaknesses as a Writer

Let’s face it, every writer has their strengths and weaknesses. Identifying them early is a crucial step in improving your craft. Are you skilled at creating engaging dialogue? Do you struggle with descriptive passages? Are grammar and punctuation your strong suits? How fast is your WPM (words per minute)? Reflect on your writing experiences and ask for feedback from peers or mentors along your journey so you can get a clearer picture.

After you have a solid idea of what your strengths are, use them to your advantage. Embrace your unique writing style and use it to create compelling content. For your weaknesses, consider investing time in improving them. Online courses, writing workshops, or easy grammar tools like Grammarly can be valuable resources to enhance your skills. Check-in with your progress every quarter to adjust how you can continue to improve throughout your career.

#5 Learn How to Word Vomit Efficiently

This is an essential skill in my opinion. Writing can be a messy process, and it's perfectly normal to have moments of writer's block or self-doubt. Learning how to word vomit, or simply put your thoughts down without judgment, is necessary on the days you don’t feel “in the zone”.

When you're stuck, set aside your inner critic and let your ideas flow freely. Don't worry about grammar, structure, or perfection in your initial drafts. The goal is to get your ideas on paper. You can always revise and refine later. This approach can be liberating and often leads to creative breakthroughs.

To enhance your word-vomiting process, consider using our free Word Vomit Journal to jumpstart your creativity. Over time, you'll become more efficient at turning those raw ideas into polished pieces of writing that will stand out.

I could sit here and talk about a million lessons I’ve learned and still learn every single day. Writing is the greatest and most difficult journey I’ve had the privilege of being a part of, But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. If you get the hardest things out of the way first, the rest will just flow from your fingertips. It’s not easy but it sure is worth it.

I look forward to seeing you in whatever form I appear. Until next time!

About the Author

Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who specializes in writing dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. She is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in both New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. She has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. Follow her on IG or Pinterest to know the latest.