One of the qualities that a university or college student should possess is being a good writer. Writing academic papers like essays, reports and reviews has become a common activity for any student. Young persons who are good writers are usually good students, earning good grades during their years of stay in schools. A good writer knows what to write, and knows how to transform his ideas into words. If you want to know how to become a writer, better aim on becoming a good writer. Transforming into a good writer may not be easy, as a student has to strip some bad habits off when undertaking an academic writing activity.

• Ignoring instructions given by teachers. Teachers give instructions not because they think that their students are dumb; they provide guidance because they believe in young people’s ability to carry out what is required and produce the desired results. Ignoring instructions means ignoring needed guidance that expedites the quality of student learning. To know how to become a writer also entails learning how to become a listener and a follower.

• Proceeding to the writing activity without planning. Some students believe that sitting down and planning things first is just a waste of time. These students, however, has to realise that although planning takes some time, it allows the entire writing process to run smoothly, even with some problems along the way. In the end, planning allows the student to save more time than not doing so.

• Relying on personal knowledge. One of the biggest mistakes that a student could commit is relying on his own knowledge. If a student wants to learn how to become a writer, he needs to learn how to complement his own knowledge with more credible and reliable information coming from trustworthy sources.

• To become a writer meant diversity. And the ultimate exposure to such diversity is the accomplishment of the coursework. A better way to practice the students’ writing skills and reap good grades is through writing your coursework. Plus an added bonus is having instructors to which students may consult or ask for a critical evaluation; remember, good writers need good critics.

• Though the question, how to become a writer, mentions the central figure as the writer, this does not exclude other writer roles. For instance, to become a writer also meant to become a resourceful researcher, a sharp proof-reader, or a grammar police. Thus, an aspiring writer must also invest in other writer-related roles to fulfil the requisites of a writer. 

• Improving as a writer entails receptivity. In other words, to become a writer, students should be able to handle various types of critique and effectively incorporate them in the next writing assignments or coursework.

How to become a writer can be a very long process. However, you can start this long journey by motivating yourself. You should begin your writing quest with the right motivation.

There can be many different kinds of motivation which an aspiring writer can choose from to start his writing career. These may include artistic, financial or expressive kinds of motivations. A person would be motivated to write because he wants to explore the artistic aspect of this activity. Other people would like to learn how to become a writer so that they will be able to earn a living out of writing. Still many others just would like to express themselves and engage in writing to share their feelings and sentiments, even less artistically.

Arguably, the best starting point on how to become a writer is self-expression. Then, developing the interest into a craft comes next. Lastly, a novice writer will be able to use his writing skills for profit when he or she has considerably developed them. The writing profession is full of artists and professionals who have a lot to share from their heart and mind.

To become a writer, one must have a talent to start with; then, enough motivation to let a dream get off the ground. The right kind of motivation is needed in keeping the quest for improvement and perfection going. There will be many setbacks and challenges an aspiring writer will encounter in his future writing career. It is important to have motivation to keep him going. The challenges include, among others, writer's block and rejection. The writing arena involves editors, publishers and readers who require many writing ideas from the writer. These people may also criticise or reject writers' works.

Talent is an important ingredient to becoming a writer. However, insufficiency in such can be compensated with motivation, positive attitude and hardwork.

         If you are a recent secondary school graduate with interest and passion for creative writing, a good career option would becoming a writer for fashion magazines. But before you select a career as a fashion magazine writer, you should know the general tips or guidelines on how to become a writer for a fashion magazine. Keep in mind that becoming a professional fashion magazine writer does not just involve formal education and training, but it also involves other factors that would contribute to your plans of becoming a writer.

        The first step on how to become a writer for fashion magazine would be obtaining a formal education such as an undergraduate course in or related to writing. The primary courses include journalism, communication studies, mass communication, media studies, literature, and other courses that related to writing. It is important that when you take up an undergraduate course, it should have a programme for on the job training or internship in a magazine or publishing company before you graduate from the course.

        During your undergraduate studies, you would not necessarily take up lectures or discussions on subject areas related to fashion and style. Therefore, another important tip is learning and familiarising about topics related to fashion and style. If it is possible, you should regularly read magazines about fashion and style. Read the regular columns of those magazines and study the tone and style of writing of the magazine columnists.

         Take note that the tips or guidelines on how to become a writer for fashion magazines would not necessarily lead you to fulfilling and successful career as a fashion magazine writer. The other factors that would contribute to a successful career includes having the traits or characteristics of positive disposition, professional behaviour and attitude, perseverance, enthusiasm, motivation, and the drive to fulfill your goals or objectives for your career no matter how many obstacles or challenges you would encounter.

• Practice writing everyday. Write a lot or a few words and do not worry about the content or structure yet. The point of this exercise is for you to get used to writing. The first step that you will need to take on how to become a writer is to get used to doing the task itself. Making writing a daily habit also insures you against writer's block.

• Read a lot. In writing, just like other professions, you will also need to choose a specialisation. In order to achieve a high level of proficiency on a subject, you will need to read extensively on the subject. Even if you have a degree on this subject, reading is still part of the steps on how to become a writer because it will ensure that you will always have up-to-date knowledge on the subject. However, read only works of literature that have passed standards such as those published by universities and reputable organisations. The objective of this exercise is to expose you to the correct style of writing and use of language, and you will only learn this lesson if you are reading the right materials. To this end, you must have a clear idea of what passes a good writing and what does not. Choose a favourite author or genre that conforms to these writing standards. Broaden your reading horizons as well by reading both early and contemporary authors.