If You Could Tell a New Writer One Thing

If you could tell a writer one thing, one tip, or to-do, or don't do, anything at all, what would you tell them?

Ex. Do not let the boundaries of writing restrict, there are no boundaries so go with the wind.

[lock if dup, I don't think there is one]

'oh my god i'm married to a hot guy who's a werewolf and my dad's a vampire uh oh!' is not a title.
/obligatory
---
never give up. evereverever.

For the love of ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, THIS is how you properly puntcuate dialoge:
"Hey," said Bob.
or
Bob said, "Hey."
OR
"Hey." She looked up to see Bob standing there.


This and that it's okay to give your characters flaws. Really, it is.

Icamane Potter:

For the love of ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, THIS is how you properly puntcuate dialoge:
"Hey," said Bob.
or
Bob said, "Hey."
OR
"Hey." She looked up to see Bob standing there.


This and that it's okay to give your characters flaws. Really, it is.

I wish it was mandatory for people to like take a course on writing dialogue before they did it!

a little survey they take before they register for mibba to make sure they understand.

There's nothing better to read than a well researched story.

occulta.:

There's nothing better to read than a well researched story.

Or well thought-out.

That your best bet would be to learn both how to take and how to shift through constructive criticism. Though some people are a little flawed in their delivery, not everyone is out to get you. Some people are merely trying to help your story become the best that it can possibly be.

With that being said, sometimes not all concrit is crucial. Grammatical things, yes, but there's a time to take plot/storyline suggestions to heart and a time to trust your gut and excerise your own "artistic liberties." I think that knowing the difference between those is a necessary skill when it comes to writing.

Constructive criticism is meant to be just that: constructive, even if it may be a little harsh. Take it, use it, learn from it. No one is attacking your work, and if they are, fuck them. Don't give up or get offended. You will develop your skills and thank everyone who got you on the best-sellers list.

proofread. proofread. proofread.
edit. edit. edit.
and then re-edit.

You're English teacher isn't out to make your life hell by telling you to edit your papers, it is actually important and improves readability by miles (imagine that.) which is always a good thing! You catch things you would've never noticed, and find plot holes (etc) to fix and/or change; it will only do positive things to your work.

Write what you're passionate about, whether it's popular or not.

Be original.

In order to receive feedback on your story, be prepared to give it.
Oh, and try not to say "I love this!!!!" because it doesn't constitute as feedback.
Put some effort into a story comment.

Don't be afraid to use big words, but then don't overload your story with such big words that nobody has any idea what you are saying.

Don't force it.

If you don't feel comfortable writing something, don't. It's better to write something natural flowing from you than to write something just because everyone else is.

If you don't enjoy writing it, other people probably won't enjoy reading it. Even if you find a certain part of a story boring or just difficult to write but necessary (e.g., the exposition), there are ways to make it more fun to write -- like adding interesting detail or dialogue. Little touches like that make duller parts more readable and also help out with characterization and plot development in the big scheme of things.

Love your characters as if they're real people. Or, hate them as if they're real people. The more realistic they seem to you, the more realistic you'll be able to write them.

Write what you want to write. Even if it's the most off-the-wall subject matter, as long as you're into it and want to work on it, write it. Write to please yourself first.

I would tell them not to make journals asking what stories we like to read before they have one posted. They should write whatever comes to mind, prefect it to the best of their ability and post it. After that if they get tired of writing one specific genre or type of story then ask us what we like.

Write for yourself. If enjoy what you write, it will come through in your writing.

Don't threaten your readers with "x amount of comments or I won't update!" We don't like that.

Take pride in your work. Presentation is important.