Does Anyone have any tips on how to become a better writer?

Question

Just general tips. I have a lot of ideas in my head, but I cant seem to get them down on paper.

Answer 1

If you want to make that beautiful bowl that's in your head, you have to start with some fistfulls of very messy wet clay that don't look anything like a beautiful bowl. It's sloppy and unpleasant and frustrating and you waste a lot of clay but eventually you can work it into something like what you saw in your head.

Same with writing. Give yourself permission to write very badly first. You can't make it better until it gets out of your head and onto the paper. Start with that. You'll throw a lot away, but you'll also start to find what's good and keep that. Eventually you'll find your voice. Good luck.

Answer 2

1. Free-write. Just write whatever you're thinking at the moment, be it journalistic, poetry, etc. Just gettting your thoughts down on paper is very important, because you can sift through them and pull out whatever still looks good after a few days.

2. Work shop. Get some like-minded people together and do presentations of your works. Give and recieving criticism helps out all people involved, because it forces you to learn how to analyze writings and recognize when a story or poem requires polishing.

3. Read criticisms of works. By reading what other people think of writings helps you see what you have to look for.

4. Take a creative writing class. That helps utilize options 1-3.


Good luck!

Answer 3

Yeah, I have a few. All these ideas are like selections. You need to pick the one that interests you the most, the idea you'll stick with until you end the book, an idea you enjoy and want to spend time with. Read a lot too, keeps inspiration standard. Write whatever comes out and don't stop what wants to come out. Play music if you have to, to get the flow going. And most important, enjoy what you do and have fun with it.

Answer 4

Start thinking of how you might express those ideas in terms of characters or situations.. Put your ideas into the form of a story. You should "show" and not "tell" what your idea is - - you want to portray John as a nice guy - don't tell me, but show me an act of his kindness in a story abt him.. Let your stories carry your ideas.. and at some point, you have to hit the paper w/this stuff.. I write quickly - edit later..

Answer 5

Want to be a better writer? Just write and don't think about it. Take out a paper - and without worrying or thinking about it. Directly began to write on the paper and just keep going on without stopping ~ keep writting~!
When you're done or tired of just writing - look it over and began to edit. Editing is the easier part - beginning is the harder part. !!!! :)

hope i helped ya!

Answer 6

Five things that might help you along...

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1.

This site has free writing courses. It runs for three weeks, and every month their class list is updated. It's free, all you have to buy is books, and sometimes you can get by without them.

university.barnesandnoble.com

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2.

Try book, Writers Market 2007

Product Details:
Katie Brogan, Robert Lee Brewer (Editor), Joanna Masterson (Editor)

Format: Paperback, 1184pp
Pice: $29.99
Publisher: Writer's Digest Books

FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Classic Resource for Every Writer Who Wants to Be Published

* Features more than 3500 market listings

* Includes 500 new markets for 2007

* Provides 100% updated materialContinuing the tradition of providing writers with the information they need to get published, the 2007 Writer's Market is the go-to guide for anyone who wants to be published. Featuring new and exclusive interviews with Alice Kaplan, Augusten Burroughs, and Jennifer Weiner, the latest edition also includes articles covering the basics of book proposals, how to get freelance writing gigs, the keys to successful query letters, the six rules critical to publishing success, and more.

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3.

Try site: www.writersdigest.com
And: www.writersmarket.com

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4.

Tips: Just start writing. You said you have idea's, write them down...it's where the story grows from.

Strat constucting your story, it does not have to be done in order, write then edit them together.

Show your reader, don't tell...
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5.

Learn to write with this really great book:
Portable MFA In Creative Writing

Product Details:
By: New York Writers Workshop
Price: $16.99
Publisher: F & W Publications, Incorporated

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Writers can get the core knowledge of a prestigious $50,000 MFA program without paying tuition. With sound, nuts-and-bolts instruction and real-world career advice, The Portable MFA in Creative Writing is the only book speaking directly to the tens of thousands each year who don't make it into MFA programs. Topics include magazine writing, memoir and personal essay, poetry, fiction, playwriting and more:

* Inspiration and tips on revision, stamina and productivity

* Clear instruction on the craft behind the art

* Detailed reading lists to expand writers' literary horizons

Those who heed its advice will gain the wisdom and experience of some of today's greatest teaching minds, all for the price of a book.

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Hope This Helps:

Answer 7

Describe in detail the people, places, and things in your story. You want your readers to easily see the things in your story in their heads. Give people personalitys and stick to them. Just write whatever you're thinking and when you're done you go back and edit it. There is no limit to how many rough drafts you can write,

Answer 8

Don't be afraid to revise if you don't like the way it sounds. Sometimes writers will completely redux the whole thing even if they're a hundred pages in.

Answer 9

1 - read a lot of the type of writing that you want to do

2 - practice a lot

3 - consider taking a writing course at a local college

Answer 10

Get a pen and paper and start writing!!