how can i become a good writer?

Question

i have a lot of energy but i just cant place it in one thing...i'm very hyper but i've always loved reading and writing. i want to write, since my major is political science and international relations, i dont know if i can write with that major or not. but my question is how can i become a better writer? how can i concentrate enough so i can write? any tips? anything? i really love writing.

Answer 1

In your case an automatic writing might suit you well. Just treat a writing session as you would meditation and prepare similarly. Relax and either write with your eyes almost closed, or dictate to a voice activated recorder any thing that comes to your mind, start at any time you feel like it and stop as soon as you feel like it. Trust your feelings and your intuition. If you like some piece, edit it and share it with a friend, join creative writing group and share it there; anything it is better than a desire to write, a talent, and no action. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your major has no bearing on whether or not you can be a writer. What matters is whether you love to write and can concentrate long enough to get something on paper!

If you've always been hyper and can't concentrate on one thing, have you ever been to study groups that teach ways to concentrate for longer periods or time? Sometimes colleges have seminars or lectures like that available to students. If it is a real problem with your studies as well as your hobbies, you should talk to your counselor.

One thing that you might want to try with writing is to free-write, which means writing whatever is coming through your mind. And I think with a lot of energy, you could just keep writing, because you'll think of all sorts of things! Maybe then you can go back when you feel more calm and able to concentrate and see if anything strikes you as a good idea for a story.

Also, many schools will let you take creative writing classes even if they are not in your major, and perhaps then your professor would be able to help you more. Sometimes you can even take them pass/fail or audit them so that you will still get the class experience and it won't really affect your GPA.

Answer 3

I am a novelist who teaches creative writing. Take these steps to maximize your potential...

1. Always carry around a notebook that you SOLELY dedicate to writing down ideas, observations, thoughts, and things that you find interesting that you come across in your life. These may never be used, but they may also give you ideas in the future.

2. Keep a journal. The more you write, the better you get at using vocabulary. In keeping a journal, you are practicing every day and you know the subject that you are writing about. When it comes to writing fiction or something other than yourself in nonfiction, you will be mroe experienced.

3. Set a time aside that you can be alone once or twice a week and take out that notebook. Make sure that there is nothing around that could bother you or keep you from your work. If you are using a computer, disconnect the internet while you work. Turn the phone off. Lock the door. Look in that notebook and start writing the first thing you wrote that inspires you.

4. Get friends and relatives and people you don't know to read your stuff. Get them to give you honest constructive criticism. Have them approach it with a "Spare the reader, not the writer" attitude. That is, get them to be brutally honest so that your work can actually improve, and take that as constructive criticism, so that the next person who reads it in your next draft can be better.

5. Revise, revise, revise, and NEVER stop writing. Try to do it as often as possible.

6. If you are stuck for ideas, there are some great websites that can offer you some insparation such as www.creativewritingprompts.com and the hundreds of weekly writing prompts at Writers Digest at http://www.writersdigest.com/writingprompts.asp

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 4

I just finished a Journalism B.A. and the best way I found to improve my writing was to ask professors and editors whose writing I admired to review my stories. It also helps to get into the habit of analyzing what you read from a writers perspective. The later works better when you analyze an author whom you admire.

You also have to be sure you know how to use the language correctly. Know how to use and, when appropriate, ignore proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Another good tip is to keep your writing tight by avoiding redundant words, phrases, and sentences.

I recommend you pick up "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White. Also, develop a good library with books about the language you'll be writing in and about writing in general.

Becoming a good writer takes time and effort, but finding your own voice should be the real goal.

Answer 5

Start out by keeping a journal--that should get your writing juices flowing. If you can't keep your mind on one thing for a long time, write just one page per day--they will add up faster than you would think.

Don't forget that *every story must have a beginning, middle and end. *Reading every day is very helpful to even the greatest of writers. *Writing every day is essential to good writing--even when you can't think of something to write about--write anything--it will get you started.

Don't throw away old writing--even if it seems silly to you. It might come in handy at a later date. Save those old notebooks and journals. If nothing else, they will show you how much you have improved later.

Remember that people in all fields have written best-selling books! Some in their field of work, some in fiction, or non-work related non-fiction.

If nothing else, keep writing questions and answers on this site. It will not be award-winning, but it will keep you writing. Writing is a skill you learn by practice--just like learning to play a musical instrument.

Answer 6

Well, if I were you, I would write about yourself in a way that you want your life to be, or write about things that you like. Write about things that will be page turners to you or the people you are trying to reach. Like if you were going to write about something in political science, make something up that goes wrong with something that is suppose to be right 24/7 and make your character try and fix it. The best way to become a good writer is to just start to write and keep writing so you will learn practically on your own.

Answer 7

To be a good writer, all you have to do is think of imaginative things to put in your story, and be focused enough on writing in order to write a good story. When you are very focused on writing and what you need to do, you will do it well. But if you are constantly getting distracted by things, then it will not fo well. If you really love writing, you should be able to sit in front of the screen for a few hours and start writing. Once you start, then the words just flow out on to the page naturally. Remember, just relax, focus on your writing and just write!

Good luck!

Answer 8

Reading is also very important. Keeping up on the way others craft stories, or expose a view or journal. It is very helpful to carry a notebook at all times. I carry a notebook and a sketchbook. Also, keep a pad or that notebook by your bed. Don't assume you 'won't forget' the idea that came to you as your mind was relaxing and you were falling asleep. Very important, though, is not just the creativity, but the mechanics. Work on spelling, vocabulary (building it), sentence structure, point of view, etc. The better you know the tools, the easier the creativity flows.

Answer 9

Oh do it at a time when you won’t be bothered. I may get in a writing mood once a day but if someone comes in and bothers me it all goes out the window. Oh another thing I do that helps a whole lot, is think about my story at all time of the day. Just picture your characters in your mind and where you want them to go, think about them like a movie is playing in your head, then when you get a chance write what you’ve thought about. Just last night I thought of a really good idea I’m going to put in my book just by daydreaming before I went to sleep.

Answer 10

well this is the thing...my mayor is law so i have to deal w/lots of political stuff too/but the key on writing is instant notice..i mean-i had the same problem as you do. what i can advise you is: get a notebook-if ur very artistic any time you feel happy draw something an damage a page creative..when u see a comment that you like write it in that note book..when your mad write what you feeling..if Happy write about it..its all about you and YOUR point of view,so after you have some stuff in the notebook sit in you computer open a blank page and start getting all ur thought together,,trust me it will hel ..im writting a book rigth now its named...why we lose in love........so if you think i can help u any further send me an eamil i'll be glad to do so

[e-mail]