Lesson 1: Getting Started
This lesson will help you to get started as a writer. In this lesson we'll look at some of the things you will need to become a writer. We'll learn the basic steps of the writing process, and do a few warm-up exercises before we begin.
Please note: the suggested resource books are not required for this course. They may be purchased at your local bookstore or by following the link to Amazon.com. You may also find them at your library.
Writing Tools
The Writer's Toolkit
Just as a painter has his brushes and a carpenter has his saw, a good writer needs good tools. To become a good writer, you'll need to start to gather up some writing tools and create a space for your writing - start to make your own writer's toolkit.
Many writers use a favorite pen or a special kind of paper. As you become a better writer, you'll start to find favorites that you'll want to use over and over.
To begin, you'll need these basic writing supplies: paper, pens, pencils. What kind you choose is up to you.
You may want to use regular 8-1/2 x 11 inch lined paper, colored composition paper, or maybe even a notebook. You might want to use yellow lined paper for your drafts and white lined paper for your final copies.
The same applies to pens and pencils and markers. A choice of colors (especially useful for revision and editing) and an assortment of kinds should be part of your writer's toolkit.
Did you know that you can buy colored White-Out? If you use colored writing paper, look for bottles of colored White-Out to match your writing paper for that last-minute quick correction.
You'll also want to have a place to keep all of your writing - a folder works great for this, or a notebook - whatever you choose, it is important to have a place to keep everything organized so that you can easily find it.
Two other important tools are a dictionary and a thesaurus.
If you've ever asked, "How can I look it up if I don't know how to spell it?" you need a "misspeller's" dictionary. I've listed one on the workshop recommended book list (there are others). This type of dictionary lists words by their common misspellings, along with the correct way, so you can easily find and correct your mistakes. Of course, a regular dictionary should be a part of your toolkit too!
A thesaurus is important to help you find interesting and unique words rather than using the same word over and over again, which makes your writing boring.
Okay - gather up your tools and let's begin!
