I want to be a writer?

Question

How can I become a writer, and don't say write, cause anyone can.

How can I start so I can become a good writer, I had it, but I lost it, because I haven't written in years, more than 10.

So what do I have to do? Read a lot?

when I say "anyone can write", what I mean is anyone can put letters, then words together to form sentences, but not everyone can do what a good writer does, the really kind of "writing" we see in good books

Answer 1

You first have to know about a subject you like and feel comfortable with. Research anything pertaining to characters, events, locations, weather, anything that you intend to incorporate into the story. You can get ideas from stories or other things you have read about, but be careful of plagiarism.
Because you are just starting keep the first few tries light and not filled with too many controversial events, like political, or moral issues.
All ways write in a comfortable atmosphere rested and feeling good with yourself, kinda relaxed.
Important show no one the results until you have finished the first draft. Get their opinions but stay with your own ideas and story line. Keep notes of ideas that you may have during normal daily activities, it's easy to forget ideas if not written down. Thoughts and words that come spilling out of your head only have to be put in the right order to make a successful manuscript. Be your self and good luck. I'll be looking for a book by Sunna .

Answer 2

All you can do is write regularly, submit regularly, and your fans will decide if you are any good. Talking about writing isn't writing. Writing takes practice. That is all there is to it. Reading helps. Read the good, the bad, and the worse. Write the good, the bad, and the worse. You will transform into a good writer sooner or later or maybe never. Trying is the rule. Talking is for the birds. Just do it like Nike, honey.

It doesn't matter how long ago you have written. If it is in you, it is in you. Probably better than before. You know more now. Use it now. It is never too late to be great.

Answer 3

No everyone can't write. But it seems to me that you might have the drive and need to become a writer, just because you know that there's a difference between writting and being a "good" writer.

Yes, read, not just the genre you want to write, but others too. But don't just read, study the writing and try to determine why you like the way the book is written or why you don't like it.

Learn from others that have succeeded (read the first novels of the popular names, they're the best work they've done in most cases) Join a writers group, attend workshops (if theres no groups near you, look at a nearby college and see if they don't have workshops), attend writers conferences --they're worth every penny as long as they are directed at the writer and not the reader.

Take classes, I highly recommend Writer's Digest online classes for fiction writers--

But remember that you have to work at each and every step of the way. I belong to a group that holds workshops locally, critique groups, and an annual conference. They also have eloops for questions, and chats and have begun an online critique group. Most members live in Pennsylvania, but our membership in all states is growing and we have members in Canada.

Start by getting a good reference book, Writer Digest Market book is a good start, but sign up for the online market for current information. The Book contains a lot of good advice by agents and publishers... what they want and don't want.

There are lots of good books out there, go to a book store and brooze, search the internet AND get a good critique partner, not a relative or a friend, but someone who has nothing to lose if s/he gives you an honest opinion.

AND yes, write.

Answer 4

Keep a journal and look for ideas. Play the what if game a lot. Write.

A really good writing exercise is take a book you enjoy and copy out the first three pages by hand. You'll be amazed at what you can learn about writing that way. Repeat the exercise with other books and apply what you learn to your own work.

The early Jack London read a lot like Rudyard Kipling. The reason that happened is the young Jack London could not afford a library card so he could borrow books, but he could sit in the library and copy a book into a cheap tablet. He really liked Kipling and it showed in his writing style.

Answer 5

A few things I'd like to address before getting to your question. First of all you need to ask yourself "Why do I want to write?" and "What do I have to say that is worth reading?" You write because you want to, because its something you enjoy and feel passionate about. Writing shouldn't ever be a chore or something you dred doing or else your quality of writing isn't what it could be. The second question is also really important. Find out what you have to say, what story you have to tell the world. If you don't have anything to say or a story to tell then why do you want to write at all? One problem is that some people have a story worth telling or something to share and they don't even know it, and for others the stories they think are worth sharing.. well there really not. If you think you have something to tell then do it, if you don't then you should take some time and find a story worth telling.

Now onto some things you said....

There are two things that you said that bother me. One is "don't say write, cause anyone can." The fact is that yes most people can write a sentence or even a paragraph but doing it well is another story entirely. The second is that "I had it but I lost it" the ability to write well is not like a sweater or a pair of keys. You just don't "lose it" you are perhaps out of practice but you don't just lose it. To learn to write well (in my opinion) you must do two things, you must read as much and as often as you can and to practice writing. So my recommendation is to go to the bookstore or library and look for some books on writing. Look for a few that talk about the grammar and syntax of writing properly and look for at least one or two that include writing drills and brainstorming ideas (I have seen a few good books with starter ideas to practice writing.) Perhaps most importantly just keep reading books you enjoy and see what you enjoy about the styles and themes of your favorite authors

Answer 6

“Read, read, read. Read everything - trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window.” This is a quote from William Faulkner, one of the greatest American writers of all time.


But also, you MUST write. Just pick up a blank piece of paper and go. A lot of it will be crap, but eventually, you'll start to put things together. Even the best writers have days when nothing works. But if you don't DO it, it can't possibly work.

Answer 7

I agree that's it best to read a lot... Read lots of books, magazines, news articles, and try all kinds of genres so you can absorb all of it.

I also want to be a writer one day, and at the moment I'm practicing by writing fanfiction. Some people say fanfiction is a waste of time and doesn't really help you write better, but it's definitely helped me. The quality of my writing has noticably increased over the years, from when I started writing around age 13. It helps to get immediate feedback from your readers :).

Answer 8

I find writing is easy. It is the editing that kills me. Taking you story and reading it over and over trying to take out the things that have no reason to be there. making sure things they do in the first chapter is still in the time line and flow of the last chapter. trying to clarify thing you say without having to add another chapter. Being harder on your own writing then others. Listen to others about how bad that reads and being willing to change it. To do all that and keep it your story and not others.

Then find a great friend and editor that will help you that you can trust.

Answer 9

You need not read too much but read writings from good writers regularly. It happens that we lose interest in writing for a number of reasons such as change in life style, new environment, etc but the writing almost comes back if you are patient.

Answer 10

Practice makes perfect. If you don't write, you can't improve. Join local writing groups, etc.and be with like-minded people. Read tons of stuff and really study what makes "good" writing as opposed to "bad" writing. Only through continuing to write can you find your own voice in writing. Of course, you've got to love doing it or you'll have a hard time keeping up the desire.