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Okay, so, I’m beggining this adventure/danger/action story (i prefer to call it story because books mean they’re long, and I’m not sure if mine will be.) and I’m not really good at it. i enjoy writing alot and have great ideas, but my sister and my friends can all write it better than me. It seems i give them an idea and then we both write it, mine is 26 pages and theirs is the exsact same story, only at 150 pages. My strong points are describing, but i don’t have the vocabulary or the words to make good fighting seens. And seens that don’t involve fighting, well, my friends and sister are still better at writing those. I need some help! I get a good begining and end but i can’t figure out the middle. It’s like the begging is 20 pages, the middle is 5 pages, and the ending (because the middle was so crappy) is 4 pages. I dunno, i just need advice and help!
Thanks!
-Natalie

2007-04-16 13:57:32 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities Books & Authors

9 answers

I would recommend reading as many books as possible in the genres that you like to write, as well as about the craft of writing. When you are reading other fiction books, pay attention to how the authors structure their work.

Here are some of my favorites about writing:
1) "Writing Down The Bones" by Natalie Goldberg
2) "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott
3) "On Writing Well" by William Zinsser
4) "How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card (if those are your genres, of course)
5) "On Writing" by Stephen King
6) "No Plot? No Problem!" by Chris Baty
7) "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves" by Lynne Truss
8) "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White

Also, take a look at a few websites where authors gather. Some of them have very helpful articles and forums. Holly Lisle has a fantastic website that has articles on both the business and writing aspects:
http://hollylisle.com/fm/

Forward Motion is a wonderful, helpful community:
http://www.fmwriters.com/

Absolute Write is one of my favorite author communities, with a vast pool of resources and helpful people:
http://www.absolutewrite.com

Write every single day. Set a target for yourself. For instance, my goal right now is to write 1,000 words a day. I get this done before I go on the internet, read, watch TV, or goof around. To begin, maybe set an easier goal for yourself-- try 250 words each day. Write in a journal as well, if you feel so inclined!

Also, never forget how important it is to edit and rewrite! When you finish a short story or novel, I suggest setting it aside for a month. Don't look at it or think about it (if you can help it). Work on another project. Once that time has passed, go back and read what you wrote. Try to be objective-- are there parts that need to be expanded? Cut out? Rewritten? How is the grammar and spelling? Editing could (and should) take more time than the original draft!

The ideas really have to come from within you. We can give you all the ideas in the world, but if you aren't passionate about it then the novel won't end up being any good IF you even finish it. Write about what you love. The rest will come!

2007-04-16 15:41:09 · answer #1 · answered by Obi_San 6 · 2 0

I've been writing stories and poetry since I was 12. Other people have told me I'm a good writer and I've had some pieces published, too. Many published authors outline their novel before it is written; some do not. You do not HAVE to write the novel in order, I have an author friend who writes the ending first, then goes back to the beginning, and writes the middle last. All writers are different and you should not compare yourself to what others write. Many published authors have more than one draft of their novel, because Editors are very picky about what should go into a story.

There is some writing software out there that can help you put your story in order, like NewNovelist. If you have enough money, I would try that, but if not, just practice writing and have fun with it.

2007-04-16 14:02:49 · answer #2 · answered by poeticjustice 6 · 2 0

Natalie, I'm happy you have joined the circle of writers. Writing is an expressive art that often demands releasing a story from within.

While you're concentrating on correctly spelled words, such as in "Writing Skills" instead of "Writting Skills," find the booklet titled, "The Elements of Style" written by Strunk and Williams. Keep the booklet near your keyboard for instant referencing.

Writing in all fields will help perfect and hone the skills that you need. Even in this forum you should practice good writing skills because with each exercise you benefit and the readers enjoy it as well.

The previous replies have good advice and I would recommend not to worry about word count unless you are writing an article or very short piece that must fit in a certain amount of words.

2007-04-16 14:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 2 0

hello there..
I love to write too, I can't get enough of it. I'm unsure of my writing skills, not knowing what level they are but... it doesn't matter, just that I write. I have lots of ideas too, I'm actually writing a story now with adventure, action danger... fantasy, ... lots of stuff going on!
I'm sure I'm not so good of a writer to give another advice, but... It sounds like you were welcoming all help.
One of my favorite authors that rights children's books that my sisters all just love is Avi. He is really great with stories that children get hooked onto...
And a suggestion he gave all writers, and that i'm going to give you is quite simple... but it does help...ALOT!
His advice was to read! I get so many ideas, so many writing styles, so many ways to put things... so many options after I read stories! Reading other books, especially classics, that you know people liked and loved!
I'm still having trouble with my fighting scenes too... While I'm writing it all down it sounds so good, and I can picture it in my head so well... and then when I read it again it sounds so robotive and cheesy that I feel stupid!
But my word to you as a writer is : READ!
Okay... I think i've written enough, haha...
hope this helps,
Jade
p.s.... Even if you think or know your sisters or/and friends can write better don't let it get you down. I mean its good to know where you stand with your writing, but keep your chin up, and be confident... Stand tall!

2007-04-16 14:10:08 · answer #4 · answered by JanetB 2 · 2 0

Try to put more to the story--don't just make the beginning very detailed and leave everything else in that vague feeling. Put more detail into it as you're writing. Try to add more stuff that's happening. If you don't want to change the ending, just add small stuff that take up about one or two pages. Maybe some more dialog. that happens to me, and when I follow those steps, my stories seem to be indeed longer. My current one is about 100 pages long--I'm not even halfway through. It was all because I added more stuff and more dialog.
Good luck with your writing! I hope this really helps.

2007-04-16 14:05:22 · answer #5 · answered by aximili12hp 4 · 1 1

I've answered a couple of questions like yours and I give the same advice: read books and watch movies that correspond to the genre that you're interested in working with. Can't find the words you're looking for? Use the handy, dandy thesaurus! A writer's best friend. Trust me, it is (along with the dictionary, of course). Pay extra close attention to character creation and dialogue when you read books and watch movies. This is critical stuff. Good luck and enjoy!

2007-04-19 05:15:27 · answer #6 · answered by Raingirl 3 · 0 0

E-mail me with what you have, and I'll see what I can do to straighten this problem out a bit. If you're good on description, then it's a good chance that you're weak in other areas.

Some advice: Read more books! More exposure will help you increase your personal vocabulary.

2007-04-16 14:04:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Sounds like you all need to write it together.

Cooperation makes it happen.

2007-04-16 14:03:51 · answer #8 · answered by Nathan D 5 · 1 1

i now what you be

2007-04-16 14:00:51 · answer #9 · answered by daisy b 1 · 0 3

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