By Lucee Anders

As I sit at my desk in Johannesburg, a deep roll of thunder ripples across the sky. Heavy clouds gather above the city, and the wind begins to shift... a summer storm is brewing. The drama of it all reminds me of storytelling: a quiet beginning, rising tension, and finally, a powerful release. Whether you're penning a sprawling fantasy saga or an intimate contemporary piece, the journey of writing fiction unfolds in much the same way.

If you're just starting, you might be feeling uncertain, unsure of your voice, your ideas, or even where to begin. That’s perfectly normal. Every writer begins with a blank page and a little self-doubt. But with a few guiding principles and a willingness to explore, you’ll discover that storytelling is as natural as a summer rainstorm rolling over the Highveld.

Let’s walk through the early steps of your fiction writing journey, practical tips, mindset shifts, and inspiration to help you begin with confidence.

1. Start with What You Know

New writers often feel pressure to create elaborate plots or fantastical worlds. But great fiction doesn’t always start with dragons or intergalactic battles. Often, it begins with something familiar... a place, a smell, a feeling. Use the world around you as a foundation. That moment just before the rain breaks. The metallic taste of the air, the way people dash for shelter, those are vivid, textured moments readers can connect to. Even in speculative or fantasy fiction, grounding your story in emotional and sensory truth gives it weight.

Start small. Describe a familiar scene or memory, then ask: What if? That’s where stories begin.

2. Create a Writing Ritual That Works for You

You don’t need a fancy writing nook or five uninterrupted hours a day. What you do need is consistency. Like brewing your morning rooibos, writing can become a grounding ritual. Set aside just 30 minutes each day, or even every second day, and treat it as sacred time. Light a candle, make tea, turn off notifications, and write. It doesn’t matter if it’s good. It matters that it happens.

The routine will train your brain to enter “story mode” more easily, and over time, writing will feel less like a task and more like a habit.

3. Build Characters Like People You Know

Fiction is made of people. Whether it’s a reluctant hero or a nosy neighbour, readers want to connect with the characters in your story. Begin by fleshing out your characters as if they were real. What do they fear? What secret are they keeping? What’s their favourite meal after a long day? You don’t have to reveal all this in the story, but knowing these things adds depth.

Try this exercise: write a letter from your character to you. Let them tell you who they are, what they want, and what they’re hiding. You’ll be surprised by what you learn.

4. Discover and Trust Your Voice

In the beginning, it's tempting to imitate your favourite authors. But here’s the truth: your voice, with all its quirks, rhythms, and sensibilities, is what readers will truly connect to. Are you sharp and witty? Do you have a lyrical way of describing the world? Do you focus more on internal thoughts than dialogue? Embrace it.

Your voice will evolve as you write more, but don’t smother it by trying to sound like someone else. Authenticity will always shine brighter than perfection.

5. Use All Five Senses to Create Atmosphere

Good writing paints a picture. Great writing immerses the reader. When describing a scene, don’t stop at what’s visible. What does the place sound like? Smell like? What’s the texture underfoot? What’s the taste in the air?

Let’s take the thunderstorm again. Is there a metallic scent in the wind? The sticky humidity just before the downpour? Is the thunder distant and rolling or sharp and sudden?

Engaging all the senses pulls your reader into the world of your story. It’s a small trick with a big impact.

6. Write the Messy First Draft

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Your first draft is meant to be messy. Rambling. Overwritten. Incomplete. Think of it as a sandcastle. First, you heap all the wet sand into place. Later, you carve the details. But without that first chaotic pile, there’s nothing to refine.

Let go of the idea that your writing must be “good” immediately. Just get the words down. Bietjie-bietjie maak meer, remember?

7. Read Like a Writer

Read everything. Read fiction, non-fiction, blogs, scripts. Read your favourites again, but this time, with a writer’s eye. Notice how an author introduces characters. Observe how they create tension, how dialogue flows, how endings are crafted. When something grips you, ask: Why did this work? Then try to mimic the technique (not the style) in your own writing.

Reading expands your tools. Writing lets you use them.

8. Find the Rhythm of Your Story

Just like a thunderstorm begins slowly before unleashing its energy, your story has a rhythm. Some moments need to linger an emotional beat, or a reflective pause while others demand urgency and momentum.

Pacing is a skill you’ll sharpen with practice. Read your work aloud. Listen to how it flows. Does it gallop when it should meander? Does it drag where it should leap? Be mindful of your story’s music. Let it rise and fall in ways that serve the narrative.

9. Get Feedback, but Guard Your Vision

It’s brave to share your writing. When you do, seek feedback from those who understand your goals and voice. Beta readers and writing groups can offer perspective, but not all opinions are equal. Learn to differentiate between constructive critique and personal taste. Stay true to your vision. Accept the advice that strengthens your story and release what doesn’t serve it.

Writing is both solitary and communal. Choose your circle wisely.

10. Take the First Step, Then Keep Going

Every writer, from literary greats to self-published storytellers, began where you are now: unsure, excited, overwhelmed, curious.

What separates writers from dreamers isn’t talent, it’s persistence. Whether you’re writing from a flat in Sandton, a home in Soweto, or a cottage in the Drakensberg, your story matters. Your voice matters. And the world is hungry for new perspectives told in new ways.

So open your notebook. Fire up your laptop. Write a line, then a paragraph, then a scene. The journey begins with one word.

Your story is waiting to be told.

What to Do Next:

• Download a free writing printable to start outlining your story idea.

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