How can I utilise my creative writing skills in the real world?

Question

I am 16 years old and really interested in writing, although I am not much of a talker; people never hear me. What is a good career/hobby/waste of time I can do with my writing skills?

Answer 1

There is so much fantastic advice here.
I would like to add that you need to read as much as you can. Absorb other writer’s styles. It can help you find your writing voice. I have been writing since I was 14 or 15. I am now 30.
I keep a word diary. Whenever I find a word that I love the look of or the sound of....or simply inspires a story I write it down. Today’s word is "tourniquet" that I saw in a news item. From that word I have written a huge adventure story. I have also teamed up with a fellow writer and long time friend. We complement each other’s styles. And we share ideas and give advice to each other. It is an exciting feeling.
I also write down bits of writing that inspire me. And I carry around a book so that every time an idea or a paragraph pops in my head I can jot it down. It is not uncommon to see me leaning on a shopping trolley with my wife waiting patiently as I jot down a few lines whilst shopping. Or begging staff for a pen in a fast food place.
To make my money I write course material TAFE in Australia. And ABC TV has approached me about a story concept I wrote years ago.
Be brave about critics and know when to listen and know when to remember that not everyone will like your style. But if you like it keep on going.
I wish you so much luck! NEVER give up. Write every day. Keep a personal diary of your experiences so that you can tap into them in the future, even the feeling from your dream.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

sadly the answer is not , one can be a great artist or paint the most beautiful paintings and yet be full of trash inside . have u heard about the clown who was able to make everyone laugh but himself , it is the same with other kind of artistic expressions . having a talent doesn't mean you have a good heart just like having not talents would not mean you are a bad person ( i do believe there is a talent on everyone ) . there used to be a young girl who lived in Russia during the Nazi invasion . this young girl was used as a painting board by a very grotesque character and was marked for life . while the Nazi was still alive all he heard about was how great of an artist he was , apparently he had talent or at least that was what his followers used to say . the history of this young girl was portrayed in a movie called red cherry , i think u should see it . however i do think that art can really show the world in a completely different perspective one which goes farther and with out limits , a perspective where everything is possible and anything can be done . i think art is one of the best ways too see how far and how beautiful we all could make this world were most seem to not care enough about others and were the weak is forgotten .

Answer 4

I had to chuckle whern I read your question. I was very shy as well when I was your age. I wrote alot,and one of my stories almost got me suspended!! Writing is NOT a waste of time!!! I started out just for fun,and now i am a writer! I have registered 3 screenplays and am sending off query letters to get an agent. They never hear you,huh? Fine. Let your hand be your voice. No,I don't mean learn sign language! The pen is mightier than the sword,my dear! You writing can be your voice! Look online for a book called " the screenwriter's bible," by Dave Trottier. He has a great section for taking your writing to the next level. Good luck,and I will give you a tidbit of advice: DON'T GIVE UP!!

Answer 5

Can i suggest that you work in a magazine get some life skills, a newspaper perhaps, that way you will get paid to write. Use this time wisely to develop real life experiences and that way will be able to write about subjects that will interest a wider audience hopefully with this you can write some sucessful novels, even non fiction clasics

go and be free

most of all enjoy the talents you have

Answer 6

This is to McGowan12.

Utilise is only spelled with a zed in America, the rest of the World, including the author of the question spelled it correctly with an es.

Answer 7

poetry/ rapping no jokes you can be like canibus the smartest rapper alive
"The auditory Pavlovian conditioning's so sickening
My adenine, guanine, cytosine,
And thymine is really what makes my rhyme supreme"-canibus

"The liquid soluble that made up the chemistry
A gaseous element, that burned down your ministry
Herbal vapors, and biblical papers
Smokin Exodus, every square yard is plush"-gza genius

"electricity combined with mind soul and the way I flex the agility
focus ability makes some heads quite restless in this vicinty"-gift of gab

Answer 8

I hear you! It's the same for a lot of writers I think. You learn more about life from being a good listener, as opposed to a good talker anyway.

It's a bit of a tough industry but don't give up! Writing just takes perseverance and practise, so I suggest you write about what interests you and submit as many stories and articles to any websites and free newspapers you can find. The more you get published, the better off you are in the long run.

People are being paid small amounts to blog these days as well, which is something you could do, while still at school.

Take note of all the different writing styles and genres you are taught in school. The key to finding your niche is experience. You may find that you can't 'make a living' from the type of writing you love, so it's best to become proficient in all genres if possible. That way, you can do one style of writing to pay the bills, and in your spare time, indulge your real talents.

Journalism, copywriting, public relations and advertising are all good ways to utilise your skills.

Good luck :-)

Answer 9

Ignore that american that told you how to spell utilise. how ignorant lol. I love creative writing too. I'm trying to get into journalism so i can hopelfully one can become a columnist so i can write what i want, journalism is also helping me become more of a talker, i'm like you far too quiet. So i write for my free local paper. You can also get into advertising. or an obvious choice would become a writer. it's just a tafe course away. a good waste of time is blog writing, and entering writing competitions. good luck, i hope your writing skills serve you well.

Answer 10

Start a blog or even start a fan-fiction about your favorite celebrity. A lot of my friends even got their own domain and write their short stories there so others can read! You never know, one of those could give you inspiration and soon we'll be reading the next #1 New York Times Best Seller!

Good luck!

Answer 11

If your school has a newspaper that comes out occasionally , you might ask if you could write some articles for them, that would be a start, then you could plan ahead for college by getting information from some of your favorite colleges whether they have courses on creative writing which most colleges do as far as I know. Good luck to you on this.