Some advice for a beginning

Laurababs · Feb 21, 2008

Hello everyone,

I want to be a writer! I love books so much, i can just get lost in them for hours. I dont think im that much good of a writer yet but i hope to improve. I just wondered if you guys have any pointers for me? because i know my stories are nowhere near good enough for publishing. The thing is i get all these ideas in my head for great stories, but its just getting the right words onto the paper you know? Im just wondering if anyone has any tips for me (good websites.etc) Sorry if this is in the wrong place.

I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Laura

Patrick L · Feb 21, 2008

Great post and good for you.

There will be many different answers to this, and it all depends on what works for you. Some basic things I would recommend are as follows:

Set a time just for writing--for me it's weekend mornings and one during the week
set a goal of words to churn out--start at 500 or 1k per session and see if you can take that upward
Don't stress over typos and sentence structure--just write. You'll do plenty of rewriting later; focus on getting your thoughts down on paper
Use an outline if need be. Try to be organized about what you are doing and focus as best as you can.
Enjoy it! It shouldn't feel like work.

For me, it's like hitting the gym. If I can't write I am not happy. I can tell this is in you. Just make it a priority and it will grow and you'll improve. Just wait.

Congratulations!

The Scip · Feb 21, 2008

I would look around the boards here first, there is a ton of information everywhere to help you. I spent days just reading all of the old stuff that had been posted, especially the Learning to Write thread in the novels forum.

And like Beer is Yummy said, there is no better way to improve your writing than just to write, even if it is only 15 or 20 minutes a day, write everyday.

Good luck.

Danger Jane · Feb 21, 2008

Beer has some good advice; it's important to get a routine down so you write regularly. And, well, you can't improve before you start. So just get writing, and don't worry about not being good enough to publish. I know there's a thread not too far down about publishing first ever novels, but most authors don't ever publish their first, or sometimes even second, novel. I know I certainly won't publish (or ever look at again) my first novel, or my second. Don't worry about showing anyone your story yet...just write it.

Laurababs said:
(good websites.etc)

The absolutewrite forums are a great resource.

Laurababs · Feb 21, 2008

Thank you so much

both of you i appreciate the pointers. I think it is just finding the time to do it like you said. I work 5 days a week 9 to 5

but im going to come up with a schedule maybe an hour an night.

juneafternoon · Feb 21, 2008

My biggest advice, because I struggle with this a lot:

Do not worry about first drafts. They'll suck, they'll be shitty, they'll be horrendous. Writing is rewriting, and that's the truth.

Good luck, and this is an amazing journey! You'll love it.

dirtsider · Feb 21, 2008

Start carrying around a small notebook and plenty of pens for any ideas that you get when you're away from your desk. Your local grocery store should have some. Also, Barnes and Noble has a couple of those "moleskin" notebooks they advertise as being used by people like Hemingway. The advantage of these "moleskin" notebooks is that they have a little pocket in the back for things like business cards and the like.

Also, read a lot news on the internet. This way, if you happen upon a story and/or picture that peaks your interest, you can print it out.

The reference book section of your local bookstore is your friend. Not only does it have books on grammer and style, many have "how-to" books. One series - the Howdunit series - has several books on different topics helpful for people writing mysteries or thriller. Stuff like police procedurals, amateur and professional detectives, etcs.

Used bookstores and libraries are also your friend. Once you start getting into researching for a book, you might want to have something on hand. That can get expensive if you purchase stuff, unless you can find it at a library sale or used bookstore.

Laurababs · Feb 21, 2008

Thanks you guys, gosh your all so friendly here - i was so nervous about posting

*feels like a dork*

Patrick L · Feb 21, 2008

Oh yeah...another thing that works for me: good, French Roast coffee, and lots of it!

jannawrites · Feb 21, 2008

Welcome! All I can say is, immerse yourself in all the resources you can (this site is high on my list, that's for sure) and take it from there. Good luck!

Neon · Feb 21, 2008

Hello!!
I'm also a newbie!!
If you have a question, sometimes if you just read a few pages back it's already been answered.
Reading also helps too, since i've started to write my own novel, i notice i pay a lot more attention to how other writers actually write, how they describe, how they phrase dialogue, how they move the story onward etc etc.
I've also got abit of a 'mood board' going on. I know how i picture my characters to look, i know how the settings look, i even have a song which makes me think of my story.
You can always PM me, although i'm probably as clueless as you are!

BlueLucario · Feb 21, 2008

Stay here a while and you'll improve as a writer in 30 days.

DWSTXS · Feb 21, 2008

My only advice is to realize that the story you start out writing, will probably be far different from the end result. Characters take over. You'll hit snags in plot and go off on tangents here and there. You'll let someone read it and they'll suggest changes and those changes will make sense. You'll get inspired to change your original vision halfway through. You'll get interested in some research you're doing and decide to make wholesale changes. The re-writing will force lots of changes. You might even see a movie that mirrors your idea so perfectly that you'll have to change your original idea.
All of these are a part of the process.
There are many, many ways you'll get lost in the 'process' of writing your novel. Just keep on trying though, no matter what.

Once you get used to the stumbling blocks, you'll really enjoy writing.

Cassidy · Feb 21, 2008

Reading a lot helps, so it's great that you love books. And like everyone else has said, practice, practice, practice. Write a lot. Read some books about writing too. Then write lots more. When you have something you feel good about, get some feedback. Rewrite, revise, write something new. Have fun with it. Don't be in a rush to get something published. Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird has some great advice on writing, including giving yourself permission to write shitty first drafts. I like that. Anyway, welcome to AW.

Laurababs · Feb 21, 2008

Thank you

Hummingbird · Feb 21, 2008

BlueLucario said:
Stay here a while and you'll improve as a writer in 30 days.

Is that a new diet program? ^_~

True though. Lots of helpful advice around this site, even if you don't post much you'll still learn alot. *Points at own signature* Yay for lurking!

One thing I did was I got a bunch of my favorite books and tried to see how they told the story. I play around with it whenever I'm stuck or not writing sometimes. A dictionary is my best friend. ^.^; It sits next to me when I write in case I use a word but would like to refresh on what exactly it means.

And don't look back! For me that is wonderful advice! I was always horrible about looking back and editing, but when I finally forced myself to stop looking back (thank you NaNo) I found that I was doing a lot better than I thought. Of course I'll edit once I get the story down, but it's awesome seeing progress instead of errors!

juneafternoon · Feb 21, 2008

Laurababs said:
Thanks you guys, gosh your all so friendly here - i was so nervous about posting *feels like a dork*

You're fresh meat. We like to butter the likes of you up before eating you whole.

...

Kidding! It can be pretty intimidating to be posting here at first. I felt incredibly small because I'm a teen and everyone here save a few handful of people is over twenty or so. But everyone's really nice and like Cindy (BlueLucario) said, you'll become a better writer just by being here.

AbsoluteWrite Water Cooler. The Special K for writers.

BlueLucario · Feb 21, 2008

Hummingbird said:
Is that a new diet program? ^_~

I lost 25 pounds since I joined AW. I lost 5 dress sizes and I feel great. If I can lose weight so can you!

Laurababs · Feb 21, 2008

Haha, please don't eat me

I'm a teen too

but just for a little while longer unfortunately...i'm nineteen

juneafternoon · Feb 21, 2008

Ah Laura, that's awesome

Don't worry, no one will eat ya. I'm even younger than that; I'm in high school, and barely alive.

swvaughn · Feb 21, 2008

BlueLucario said:
I lost 25 pounds since I joined AW. I lost 5 dress sizes and I feel great. If I can lose weight so can you!

Ah, Blue. You're loosening up so nicely! I'm proud of you.

Welcome, Laura. This is a nice joint, and I'm sure you'll find great advice and encouragement all over the place.

Hummingbird · Feb 21, 2008

BlueLucario said:
I lost 25 pounds since I joined AW. I lost 5 dress sizes and I feel great. If I can lose weight so can you!

LOL Yay! AW, the ultimate writer's dream! XD Lose weight, and sit on your bum to write day in and day out... in posts! Lol ^_~

Eh, nineteen's cool.

I'm 21. 19 was fun... XD Besides, we have a huge age range on here. I've seen people as young as 11. There may be others younger. I'm not sure. ^^;;

SmartAsh · Feb 21, 2008

Beer is Yummy said:
Oh yeah...another thing that works for me: good, French Roast coffee, and lots of it!

Amen.

Shweta · Feb 21, 2008

First thing -- :welcome:

!

Second thing -- you could do worse than to start here. It's a very long thread, but never fear -- that's because there's a lot of wonderful advice in there.

Third thing -- if you're wondering about a specific issue, you can always search on keywords. There's a search function on the menu at the top of your page; you can just click on it and enter a couple of words that relate to your question (e.g. prologue, cliche, drama, tension) -- and there will probably be several useful threads on the topic.

And the fourth -- if you have access to a school or college library, see if they have Ursula Le Guin's Steering the Craft. It's a lovely little book that made writing much more interesting and much less daunting for me

KikiteNeko · Feb 21, 2008

Get comfortable. Prepare to develop more eccentricities than there are pills to ease them. And be really prepared to feel amazingly good and then amazingly crappy before you've had a chance to exhale twice.

Some advice for a beginning

looking for a home

...walks this way.

Return of the Jedi

Not so new, really

looking for a home

no, really

Blood Elves FTW

Mr Mojo Risin...

writing for kids and teens

Pen, Paper, Prepared. ...Write!

Return of the Jedi

Blood Elves FTW

Return of the Jedi

adrift

Pen, Paper, Prepared. ...Write!

gone

.