As a creative writing major, I have heard some sage advice from professors and fellow writers. Now, I want to share this advice with you. So, here are my top tips for writers:

1. Write something every day

This can be considered the simplest tip, but it is also the most difficult. The phrase "easier said than done" comes to mind. Keep in mind that what you write isn't necessarily important, it's the act of writing that is. If you end up not liking what you've written, you can always change it, or even leave it. Just write something.

2. Dedicate a specific place to write

I'm someone who is easily distracted (thanks, Netflix), so when I try to write at home, it doesn't always work out so well. Going somewhere else can give you some motivation and necessary distance from your comfy bed. A change in setting can also take you out of your comfort zone and help get the creative juices flowing.

3. Outline your work

There have been many times when I've left a story half-finished; I can start it, work on it for a while, and then just drop it. It can be hard to know how you want your work to end, so try planning it out before you begin. Doing this will give you direction and a framework, allowing you to relax about where your work is going, and focus more on the process of getting there.

4. You don't have to write beginning to end

This changed my whole perspective on writing. If you have a clear idea, argument, or scene already developed in your head, write it down! Don't worry about how it will fit into the end result if it's strong enough it will fall into place; it might even end up the center of your entire work. So, don't feel obligated to start at the beginning just because your reader has to.

5. Share your work

You don't have to make your work public, but you should share it with a couple people you think will be honest, and to a degree, neutral. Doing this will help you get a feel for how an audience will respond to your work, while also providing you with feedback you can trust.