How to become a writer.
I’m often asked how I got into writing so here’s my journey.

At 14 I told my English teacher I wanted to be a freelance journalist though I had no idea what this meant, just thought it sounded good. When she stopped laughing she suggested I take shorthand/typing classes. I did but when I left school, aged 16,

department; a bunch of mad architects and a top record producer. So if you want to write - live a little first. Then you’ll have something to write about.

Training.
Lots of people are keen to offer you training but buyer beware. Many courses make more money for the trainers than the trainees. If you want to be a journalist, first thing you need is a critical eye. Never take anything at face value. Ask questions -  the more awkward the better. Especially ask to see a trainer’s recent cuttings before parting with  money.

I started on my local paper, though that’s tough to get into now. But you could try contacting the news desk of your regional newspaper and asking if you can cover “off diary”

events they can’t get to themselves. Learn shorthand. Take your notebook everywhere, don’t just rely on your recorder. And don’t work for nothing - if you’ll work for free, who will ever pay you?

Blogging.
There are millions of blogs so why should anyone read yours? What do you have to offer that isn’t already out there? You have opinions of course. We all do. But what facts do you have? Have you ever worked on a construction site? Stood for Parliament and kept your deposit? Battered your local council into giving you a rebate when you were over charged? If you want to blog to get into journalism, be aware millions of others have exactly the same idea.

But the interaction with readers can be fun. So do it if you’re burning to blog and have something to say. Don’t be too earnest, try to be upbeat, be a killer speller, keep it short, keep it up and keep the number of exclamation marks down!