Ann Burnett, writer and tutor

So what do you want to write? Is it purely for yourself or family? In that case, go right ahead and write what you want in the way that you want.

Perhaps keeping a diary or journal is best for you, where you can record the significant happenings in your daily life. The most interesting diaries are the ones which tell of your life and your reactions to it, which are lively and uninhibited without a thought given to who might read it in the future. Don't write, for example,

'Wednesday. Weather dry. Had fish and chips for tea. Watched TV in evening.'

This is boring. And all too similar to many people's lives. Something like this is far more successful:

'Wednesday. The fish shop had some cod but I refused to buy it as stocks in the North Sea and North Atlantic are now depleted and I don't feel justified in indulging myself though the taste of a piece of fresh cod covered in a light batter is one of my most favourite meals.'

And of course, diaries can be published eventually. The Assassin's Cloak, pub Canongate is an anthology of the world's greatest diarists and very interesting they are too.

But if you aspire to be published, then you are in a different league altogether. There are certain requirements that you must meet before a publisher will even read, never mind publish your piece of writing.

See Writing Professionally for tips.