I am delighted to have Ellie Barker write our September guest blog post on how to get started as a writer. I had the pleasure of meeting Ellie when she interviewed me earlier this year for an ITV news report on graduate careers. Ellie and I kept in touch, and last week, I joined her for an interview on her podcast, The Next Chapter, which features many incredible people telling their unique stories on how they made the change in their career. As an English graduate, I have always had the dream of getting started as writer, and Ellie shares that passion but she has taken the next step and published her books which is super exciting! In this month's post, Ellie talks about how she got started as a writer and what helped her take the leap. I hope you enjoy reading this and it inspires you in some way to do more of what you love.
The website for Ellie's Next Chapter podcast and novels is: https://www.elliebarkerwrites.com/. It's also a place to sign up to her 3 Pieces of Next Chapter Inspiration newsletter - perfect for info on how to get started as a writer.
You can follow The Next Chapter podcast on all the usual podcast platforms and follow Ellie on IG @elliebarkerwrites.
Table of Contents
In the beginning
As a child I had two dreams, to be a television journalist and to become a fiction
author too. Everything I did from school through to university and to my first job in
television was aimed at making my first dream come true. I loved working as a
journalist in television and still do today. Live television especially for me is one of the
most magical wonders of our world and the people I’m lucky enough to meet every
day, have changed my outlook on the world.
But while I love this job, I still always had that niggle around how to get started as a writer too, a little
whisper that was always there. My husband had listened to me patiently for years
saying ‘one day I’ll do it,’ until one day we were on holiday after our first son had just
been born and his patience (quite rightly) ran out. “Just write the damn thing.” He
said. So, I did.
While I say I did, it’s never quite as simple as that. One of the most wonderful parts
of those early steps into something new is the naivety we have. I began writing in
short bursts around our new born. When I went back to work as the early presenter,
we’d both sleep in the afternoons and I’d set my alarm a little earlier to get some
words down. It took me around four years to write that first book and I was so proud
when I typed ‘The End.’ But I had no idea what was about to come next.
There I was thinking the people in the publishing world was waiting for that book, but
I was soon to learn they weren’t. Rejection, after rejection came back to my inbox. I
rewrote it, tried again, rewrote it some more and tried again. I thought then I’d try
another book, and another. Three books (now two sons) and ten years since I’d
started that first novel, all I had was rejections.
How I kept going as a writer
There were a few things which kept me going. I loved writing fiction. It was my
escapism and a way of making sense in the world. In those ten years we went
through a lot of life’s ups and downs – as we all do – and in some way when I wrote
it felt like a way of keeping some kind of control in a world when in the real-life world,
so much felt like it was falling apart.
I also loved hearing about authors and their own open and honest stories of
rejections and the reality of life as an author. These didn’t just give me hope but
pathways as to what to do next. I’ll also always be grateful to my supportive
husband who has never stopped believing in me and encouraging my dream. One of the best parts of the early steps of next chapters is realising how many people are in your corner when you had
no idea they were. It also shows you the people who aren’t and this, while painful is
a gift too. But I had my moments, I still do – but I always come back to the same sentence – ‘if
I don’t, I won’t, but if I do I might.’ Sometimes might is that tiny piece of hope we
need.
Trying something different - listen to the niggle!
After ten years I decided to try something different. I deleted and rewrote all of my
novels, then I self-published them. It was then I decided to start my podcast The
Next Chapter. They’re interviews with inspiring people who’ve already started their
Next Chapters, whatever they may be. But I hope they give the listener the same
insight and pathways those stories of authors had given me.
Fifteen years since I started that first book, I now work with a wonderful publisher
and my books will be in bookshops for the first time next March. I love writing more
than ever, but must of all I love all the lessons Next Chapter Living brings.
The biggest I would say is the importance of listening to that niggle. We may dismiss
it, or we may think we’re just too old/not capable/don’t have enough followers/fill in
the blank. But it’s the niggle which knows what it’s talking about because that niggle
I’ve learned is you being truly you.
How can you get started as a writer - here are some simple steps to follow
If reading this has encouraged you to get started as a writer, and follow your passion, here are a few prompts to help you get going.
- What do I love writing about?
- Where would be a good place to write down some ideas?
- Find or buy a new notebook and pen which is just for your writing ideas
- Carve out just 10 minutes in your week ahead to open your notebook and write down your answers to the first prompt, what do I love writing about?
- You've now started writing. Can you carve out a little more time the next week and jot down some more ideas.
- You might also be interested in joining a writing group, either in person or online...there are lots of options out there to help you get started as a writer for example here with Beth Kempton. I did this last winter and found it really helpful and inspiring on my own writing journey.
- Reading a book is also a great way to get inspired - is there a book you'd like to read this Autumn?
I have coached several people who have wanted to write and helped them to clarify their goals, create an action plan and break through barriers. If you'd like to find out more about how coaching could help you, please check out my services here as I'd love to help you too.
