How can I become a better writer?

Question

I have often been told by others (some teachers, professors and people who have read things I have written) that I am fairly talented and creative. Although I enjoy doing it, I don't do it that much. I have a problem concentrating when it comes to writing, and find myself procrastinating when I set out to do it. I have a lot of ideas for stories, novels, non-fiction, etc., but I never seem to get them on the page or even stick to it once I do. Are there any methods of remedying this issue? What ways can I improve my ability? What classes would you recommend if any? I used to be filled with delusions of grandeur about setting out to write (fame and fortune), but now I really just want to be able to do it for the personal fulfillment first and foremost. I want to be able to look at a shelf in my house and see a collection of my own writing. What should I do?

Answer 1

Attend a writer's workshop and keep of journal of ideas.

Answer 2

The process of writing unfolds differently with each individual, yet there are general stages that each piece of writing goes through. The first stage is brainstorming where you have disordered ideas vying for attention. If you never struggle for these seeds, consider yourself lucky. If you sometimes lack enough material to write about, keep an idea journal. Jot down seemingly banal things, such as a conversation you overheard in the theater line or scraps of a story about your aunt's vegetable garden. Paste newspaper articles that catch your attention. Widening your pool of subjects certainly makes you a better writer.

Once you have a clear idea for your piece, scribble down key images, dialog exchanges, or treatment of characters. These might be jumbled or confused, but it's important to record them before they slip away. Next, if your piece is narrative or persuasive nonfiction, it should follow a basic structure. To ensure a logical organization, outlines are helpful to fill in holes in plotline, arrange your arguments, or provide a plan for beginning the bulk of the writing. An outline can be sparse, only mentioning how the central conflict gets resolved, or very detailed, with character descriptions and chapter by chapter explications.

Some writers insist that the most common mistake, and therefore the greatest challenge, is to skip a thorough editing. Editing and revising is much more than correcting grammar and spelling mistakes or switching a few sentences. Revising should take as long, if not longer, than completing a first draft. Another writer or close friend can give you suggestions.

Become a better writer by reevaluating your structure, from overall plot down to sections, and finally focusing on paragraphs, sentences, and phrases. Every word in your piece should be there for a reason, and you should know the reason. Seeing improvements to your writing will encourage you by proving that you have made progress. After several editing sweeps, make sure to look back on your first, shaky draft to see that editing is well worth the effort.

Answer 3

Personally I love writting, but I also have the same problem that it seems you're dealing with. I've found by writting down my ideas, plots, and outlines in a journal I'm more likely to finish my story.

It's also just a lot like doing work, you have to apply yourself to achieve an end result. If you're finding yourself distracted on the computer, you may just want to write on paper and transfer over to a computer later (despite how tedious it may seem, it really does help me personally).

Possibly, it may just be the idea of finishing something that's driving you off track. While it's somewhat important that you outline your whole story, dont rush it and make yourself fustrated with it. Maybe try to set aside some time each day to work on your story, but not to the point where it's driving you crazy.

Just keep trying and I'm sure someday you'll reach your goal. :)
Good luck!

(btw, if this dosen't help check out creative writing courses at your local community college, they may be of some interest to you)

Answer 4

I think the best remedy is just to allocate a certain amount of time daily, or whenever you can (say, two-three times a week) and designate that your time to write. The way to get better is to do it as much as possible!
I started writing for fun when I was a girl in elementary school (but didn't show anyone my little plays and stories). English was always my strongest subject in school. I wrote poems, stories, essays, etc. Then I stopped writing for years. About 3 yrs. ago I wrote a tribute to my late mom and joined a local writer's group in which members bring their writings and read aloud to the group. We critique style, grammar, punctuation, but not content.
Because I got such positive reactions to my writing, I just kept writing more and more often. I developed enough confidence to apply for a position as a weekly, free-lance newspaper columnist in my city...and got the job!

Bottom line: write as much and as often as you can. Edit your own work carefully. If you can, look for a good local writer's group to join. Take writing classes at your local college.

I, too, had delusions of grandeur regarding fame/fortune, and perhaps one day may be published (who knows??), but I mainly write because I just have to do it for my own sanity and fulfillment!

Answer 5

I chose to do my writing simply for fun instead of career but I found that its a wonderful outlet for your inner demons so to speak. write what you know about and use things and ppl you are familiar with (change names of course and don't go into too graphic detail on the ppl some don't like being inspirations). and write what you want to scream to the world but are not allowed because of social etiquette or whatever the reason may be. your wildest dreams fantasies and even that darker side can be released thru your fingertips. all you have to do is let go and let it all out. you can murder ppl and have illicit affairs at whim and you can do even the most impossible feats thru your imagination. its the best place for all the Lil bugs to come out. just relax and start to type what you know in your heart and soul. the rest is just time.

Answer 6

Start by making a writing space for yourself. A comfy, quiet corner, maybe near a window. Then set a time. Make a date with yourself to write a certain amount of time every day. Pour a cup of tea and you're all set.

Answer 7

Outlining your story plot first might be beneficial. Knowing what you want to do with your characters and where you're headed with your story before you start it certainly helps keep stray thoughts and other whims from leading you astray from what you really want to write about.

If that isn't what's bothering you, talking to a toddler is good for when you need ideas. (seriously!) Those kids never run out of things to talk about^^

Love, Kangarooo

Answer 8

in case you asking the thank you to grow to be a greater powerful author the respond is to jot down , write , and do it returned; now in the experience that your talking approximately doing it for a living then a solid thank you to start up is with a community newspaper and canopy some concern you like, activities foodstuff and so on. and supply your centers for loose purely GET printed. then you definitely can start up up working on your guy or woman recommendations. i all started with return and forth articles for community magazines and now i'm getting to %. have been i opt to pass./ on a similar time I %. a concern i admire, and write approximately it and submit it to what ever e-e book pays me.I additionally write first individual articles this might properly be a solid concern sine its approximately you and your experiances. attempt taking a imaginitive writing type at a community college. you will how possible create a narrative after which you get to study it out-loud to the class, you will discover out at this toime in case you may touch your fellow pupils. on a similar time you will help your self detect in case you have the skills. remember you need to be keen to different than REJECTIONS!!!!!!!!!! a solid commencing e book, "in case you may communicate, you may write." choose for it as long as you remember this is going to take some years to grow to be an in one day fulfillment.

Answer 9

The kind of class to take is the one that you fall in love with the teacher, notice I used the words fall in love, falling in love is a sleeping away from
reality to a dream world, you create a fantasy world in your mind that seems like love

Answer 10

Just keep trying to stick to it, always carry a notebook with you so you can write down your ideas when they come to you. I am the same way with my ideas, just really set goals for yourself.