Most of us write in order to be read, but if you use your imagination, you don’t need to get a book published in order to gain readers. Try out one (or all) of these tips, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can share both your words and your joy in writing. Do let us know if you have any more good new ideas that have worked for you, because once you’ve started, you’ll find there really are lots of opportunities to put your work out there (and to brighten up someone’s day as well).

1. In her excellent writing guide, Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg talks about how she set up a poetry booth. She sat in front of a table and wrote poems then and there for people who came to her with ideas. This is such a great idea as it lets you share your love of writing with other people. If you don’t like the idea of instant writing, you can always print out your poems in advance, tie them up with pretty ribbon and sell them under their general themes – love, gardens, nature, or whatever it is you write about. It’s a great tool for fundraising, as well as bringing people pleasure as they choose, keep and read your poems.

2. Share your writing as a gift. I’ve never forgotten going for a walk in a wood one day and finding a poem about that beautiful place pinned up on a tree. Can you believe how it made my day? You can leave poems and pieces of writing for people to come across just like that, or maybe in old books in a second-hand store or taped on benches in your local park or tucked into menus in cafes or even on the bus for the next passenger after you to find. Use your imagination, and don’t be shy. Just think how much fun you will bring to those who find your words.

3. Exchange writing with a friend. I have just spent a great month sharing poems with another writer. It started with a comment he sent me, ‘sharing is for grown ups’ (except for when it comes to my chocolate!). So I sent him back a poem with this title, and was thrilled a couple of days later to receive a poem from him based on one of the lines in my poem – ‘funny how expensive nothing is.’ The exchange has lasted for several poems now, and each time it’s exciting to see what the other has written.

4. Find a writing project to join in with on the internet. Two of the ones I always enjoy are Read Writing Poem, and the Apple House Poetry site. As well as proving prompts for inspiration, by posting your responses you will quickly become part of a writing community, reading other people’s work and having them read you in return.

5. Or you could go out on your own and start your own writing blog. It couldn’t be easier, and one of the simplest is Blogger. It’s free and you can be posting your work up in a matter of minutes. Build up traffic by letting friends and family know and share links with other writing bloggers. On my own blog, I’ve been posting fifty word stories and photographs as part of my New Years Resolution. How else could I share my ideas and love of writing quite so quickly? Come and join me!

[Photo by ||!prliignore5||]