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Posted: December 25, 2012

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Tips For A Young Writer

~Beauty-Elevates Dec 25, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

I have two short stories I am getting ready to write but I want them to better than my last couple of pieces (meaning I want to improve a bit).

If you have any tips for a young writer like myself about anything (plots, characters, interaction, setting, conflict, etc.) Things you like, things you don't.

All insight is helpful.
~~~~~

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~YTcyberpunk Dec 28, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Here's my advice:
* Write first, edit later. Accept that your first draft WILL blow, and don't let that slow you down. Just write, and worry about making it look good later.
* If you don't want to describe every detail that's fine, but give your reader SOMETHING to work with. Sometimes, a character's age or living situation is enough. If we know she's female and in high school, we can probably form an image of our own of what she looks like. But if you're writing a sci-fi story with a generic hero, and won't tell us anything about his appearance, age, or clothes, you're telling the readers, "I don't care about my protagonist, I just snatched a name from the air so I could have someone to carry the story."
* Only fill your story with things that are either important to the plot, or entertaining. If you want to waste five paragraphs on a pointless but fun action sequence, that's fine. But don't waste five paragraphs describing the character's every-day lives, just so you can make your story longer.

~Avenvia Dec 28, 2012 Student Writer

I actually submitted a kind of guide... rant... thing on here a few weeks back about stylistic errors I've been taught to avoid by various sources that are common to new writers.

I'm not gonna be a complete twat and link it here, but I'll summarise:

1. Don't over describe things, especially not with huge complicated words.

2. Try to limit adverbs, especially with dialogue tags.

3. Try to use concrete rather than abstract imagery.

4. Don't repeat words or images, especially unusual ones.

5. Try to avoid passive voice unless it's really necessary.

Those are literally just the bare bones (and not comprehensive in any way), so if you'd like me to justify any of them or give examples, just say.

~carusmm Dec 26, 2012 Student Writer

Ignore all advice, even this.

~TheBlackBullets Dec 26, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

You are in control of your characters. Not them, you.

They may not like a certain situation, but don't use it as an excuse to get them out of it

~RileighFreeman Dec 26, 2012 Hobbyist Artist

BAM. Awesome.

~NekoRyoCatSan Dec 26, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Keep Writing~ and write and improve your grammar and use strong words~

~carusmm Dec 26, 2012 Student Writer

Respect no-one.

~EnuoCale Dec 26, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

Don't spend months perfecting a single page. Accept that you have to move on.

^neurotype Dec 25, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Read—as a writer. Go back and revisit books you love, and figure out what makes them amazing.

Also, don't expect your first draft to be anything but crap. This is normal.

~Atlantech Dec 25, 2012 Hobbyist Digital Artist

brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm
Practice writing drafts to see how it sounds when you write it out.

What I like most, are characters that are believable in the way you can relate to them.
I like stories that are exciting, that don't give away everything or reveal all the answers so I can still use my imagination.

I'd say more but I'm fucking tired right now.
Best of luck to you.

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