If You Could Tell a New Writer One Thing

  • eight letters late.

    eight letters late. (100)

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    Just keep writing. It doesn't matter if it's not all that great. You can go back and edit. But you can't edit what you haven't written.
    August 28th, 2011 at 06:29pm
  • totalizzyness

    totalizzyness (100)

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    Just keep writing. Everyone starts off a little shaky, with awful characters and plots, but over time you develop as a writer, you learn what makes a good character, what makes a good plot, etc. And as you go along, people will be kind enough to give you tips and hints to help you develop.
    September 14th, 2011 at 05:56pm
  • Icamane Hatake

    Icamane Hatake (250)

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    Don't be so scared that you can't share your writing. Just show it to a few people you trust first, and move on to bigger things when you're ready.
    September 16th, 2011 at 04:34am
  • engine

    engine (200)

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    If you've really put your whole self into a piece of writing, you've been passionate and determined and hardworking with it straight through, you never have to be embarrassed about it, no matter what it turns out like. That goes for pretty much anything in life, I believe.
    September 16th, 2011 at 05:03am
  • Katie Mosing

    Katie Mosing (33815)

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    Don't be afraid to try something new.
    August 20th, 2013 at 02:22am
  • archipelago.

    archipelago. (100)

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    Write for yourself & only yourself. If other people enjoy what you're doing then that of course is a wonderful thing, but if you lose sight of how writing made you feel in the first place then you're going to get stuck in a rut sooner or later.
    August 20th, 2013 at 01:17pm
  • bellamy blake

    bellamy blake (3280)

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    Don't write what you think other people want to read, write what you'd like to read and what you're passionate about. It's not the fast-track to becoming popular, but you'll be a lot more satisfied with what you're doing.
    October 10th, 2013 at 10:07pm
  • solo sunrise

    solo sunrise (260)

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    Do your research.

    You are not required to write what's popular.
    October 11th, 2013 at 03:12am
  • lonely girl.

    lonely girl. (250)

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    Don't let people dictate how you write, or bring you down. Listen to the advice and take heed, but don't let them bully you. After all, you should be writing for you.
    October 11th, 2013 at 10:31am
  • Katie Mosing

    Katie Mosing (33815)

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    Write what you wanna write.
    February 15th, 2014 at 10:09pm
  • Mr. Darcy

    Mr. Darcy (16090)

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    It's okay to have a character that readers hate. It means that you're doing something right to evoke emotion from them.
    February 15th, 2014 at 10:17pm
  • solo sunrise

    solo sunrise (260)

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    Everyone's going to tell you not to use the word 'said.' Use it anyway; 'said' is a good word that doesn't pull a reader out of a story. If you take their advice and replace every 'said' with a 'giggled', 'whispered', or 'hissed', your story will quickly turn into purple prose.
    April 6th, 2014 at 11:36pm
  • Rebell

    Rebell (100)

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    Sometimes simple is best. Not every sentence needs to be full of "flowery" language. Sometimes the simplest sentences can have the most punch.
    April 9th, 2014 at 02:36pm
  • This.Useless.Heart.

    This.Useless.Heart. (115)

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    Write what you like. Write for yourself first and foremost, if other people start paying attention or like it, great! If not, you're still awesome and doing what you love, so don't sweat it.

    Just keep writing. You probably don't suck even if you think you do, and if even if you did, you will improve if you just keep writing.

    Seriously though, you can write. You just need to keep at it and believe in yourself and such.
    April 14th, 2014 at 09:22pm
  • nearly witches.

    nearly witches. (15250)

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    Don't be disheartened if no one seems to read what you write. As long as you're interested, that should be all that matters.
    Dialogue / description balance is important. Although you won't be great at it to begin with, it'll come with practise.
    Don't get disheartened by constructive criticism. Take it on board and maybe it'll improve a small portion of your writing. People aren't out to get you when they criticise your grammar. In fact, they're probably trying to help you. Concrit is one of the most important tools you can be given, so use it wisely.
    For the love of god, do not think you'll be an amazingly awesome writer of Tolkien quality when you start out. You'll only dishearten yourself. But of course, be proud of your work regardless of how bad others say it is because hey, you wrote it. That's more than some people can bring themselves to do.
    April 14th, 2014 at 10:00pm
  • aubs

    aubs (420)

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    If you can find someone who is willing to help you write in your life, don't be afraid to talk to them. This has helped me become a better writer, especially when thinking through plots. If you find that person, ask for their opinions about plots and characters; if they notice something is off, then build on that.
    If you have multiple stories that you want to write, don't try to work on all of them at the same time, especially if you aren't the type of person to do that. Work on one story at a time and if you get bored, work on another story. Never try to force yourself to write something you aren't motivated to write.
    April 17th, 2014 at 08:01pm
  • Alsoldey

    Alsoldey (230)

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    If you don't update regularly, don't fret.
    Don't worry about feedback, if you're your own fan, that's always great too!
    April 17th, 2014 at 10:24pm
  • based

    based (200)

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    Don't give a fuck what anyone says. Write what to write just because you want to, even if you're afraid that no one else will get it. Someone else will get it and they'll feel a great sense of relief that someone else has thought what they have before.
    April 17th, 2014 at 11:43pm
  • lonely girl.

    lonely girl. (250)

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    If you're unsure about something you're writing - research it! That doesn't mean go straight to google. Ask your friends and family about different things, ask about how you could portray something, ask how different relationship dynamics work if you're unsure.
    Be proud of your work because at the end of the day you're going to be the one living it and remembering it.
    April 18th, 2014 at 03:30pm
  • peach kitten

    peach kitten (165)

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    Don't give up on a story so easily if you're stuck. Put it aside and think on it, but never forget to come back and give it a try again.
    July 8th, 2014 at 09:52am