Aspiring Writer

[Aithne]

Interesting question is that how you become writer? Do you learn it in writing schools or should you have talent? As a writer personally I think you should have talent. Maybe in school you learn some theories but if you are not talentous, you will not be writer or poet. In case you want to be a writer or poet, you should write poetries and romans, novels, short stories. In case of talent it will be good. What is your oppinion?

-- 12 Nov 2013, 02:10 --

Interesting question is that how you become writer? Do you learn it in writing schools or should you have talent? As a writer personally I think you should have talent. Maybe in school you learn some theories but if you are not talentous, you will not be writer or poet. In case you want to be a writer or poet, you should write poetries and romans, novels, short stories. In case of talent it will be good. What is your oppinion?

I partially agree with you. A writer needs a degree of talent to get published and do well for themselves. However, a writer can have all the talent in the world and still never be published because of luck, timing, bad grammar/editing, bad technique etc. Talented or not, writers need to hone their skills. Even best-selling authors are still honing their skills. They have been told by their publishers and agents to get better with every book - or be dropped. It's a cut-throat world out there and there is a LOT of competition.

[SusanParkerRosen]

I suggest writing if you feel like writing, and taking a break when you feel like taking a break. Sometimes, a story is born in an afternoon. Other times, writing a story can take years. Whatever you do, do not force yourself to write - you can tell when you edit later. As far as editing goes, I'd suggest finishing a story first, then editing when it's all done. Make sure you step away from the story for a few days (or longer) so when you return to edit it, you'll be looking at it with fresh eyes.

Good luck.

You will never know unless you try. Just know that it can take time, take blood and then take money. But you could be one of the best writers ever, but I say even if a few people have read a story of mine...then I have accomplished something.

[npandit]

The only advice I can think of is do it every day for about an hour or two; and don't get discouraged at the results...just keep going .

[jcheiser]

The only advice I can think of is do it every day for about an hour or two; and don't get discouraged at the results...just keep going .

This was pretty much exactly what I was going to say, but npandit beat me to it
I wish you the best of luck in your writing.

[Nathrad Sheare]

In the end, your success as a writer depends on the art you possess. There are a lot of famous writers who went to school for writing and a lot of famous ones who didn't. In the earlier centuries people just had to read to learn to write. They analyzed the text of books, contemplating style and sentence structure. They looked at the kinds of words their favorite writers used, the rhythm, and the imagery. One of the most difficult undertakings in the world is the task of finding something original in the words everybody uses to put on paper. Most critics agree that there's really no originality left in the world, but that a writer must simply use his or her own charm and wit to spin a story that can be captivating, entertaining. Put your personality into it. Add as much of yourself as you can... And to start with, write what you know best. To say the least and say the truth, one is either a writer or something else. If you can make something artistic, then you can. If you can't, you can't, and there's nothing bad about that, as long as you don't become a philistine because you find out you're not one who can contribute to the creative world you love. I'd like to see something from you... Maybe a poem? Maybe some flash fiction? Post it somewhere. We'll read it!

-- 16 Dec 2013, 20:47 --

Oh, and don't worry about getting ANYTHING right the first time! Earnest Hemmingway said that every first draft is refuse. Yeah, we can't avoid writing something that belongs in the trash can or the garbage disposal or the toilet. We all will, and no matter who we are, we'll all be rejected plenty of times when we send in our work to be published. You know J.K. Rowling was rejected by THOUSANDS of publishers before "Harry Potter" finally took off? Don't quit. NEVER quit!

[lleon]

The best way to become a great writer is to become a voracious reader. If you feel you have raw talent and you combine that with reading and then writing constantly your skill will develop and you can become a successful writer.

[The Bookaholic]

You don't need a degree for writing, it is something that comes naturally to nearly everybody. Good luck with your writing, and remember, the beautiful thing about writing is that it can become whatever you want it to be.

[Nathrad Sheare]

I appreciated reading that... It's so true...

[TrishaAnn92]

I definitely believe it is talent. Schooling can teach you the fundamentals for proper writing but to actually aspire to write no matter what it is, I believe it comes solely from your talent for writing. I have always loved to write and am working on a novel myself however, I have never had any formal schooling specifically for writing. IMO, if it feels right go with it, but don't force it.

[Nathrad Sheare]

I agree on the point of talent. How many of the even unreasonably famous authors out there have ever had formal training? Stephanie Meyer had a degree in literature... I guess that counts? Who can teach anyone to be an artist? Sure it's nice to have some of the rules, methods, and terms memorized for a skeletal reference to sometimes completely ignore, but if one is witty or clever or ingenious naturally, he stands a better chance than the one who "learned" how to write, whatever that means... I do have to say that some of the pointers I've seen in the books on writing I've read and been handed by my college teacher have been helpful to me as I make every possible effort to appeal to the 21st century audience.

[Rrica79]

I am, by no means, an accomplished writer. However, I do love to write, and I find that I get my best stuff done between the hours of 2 and 5AM. The more tired I am, the better I write (grammar aside). I think I attribute this to the guards that block my creativity, my mental PC filters, are down, and my raw thoughts are allowed to rise to the surface.

[Nathrad Sheare]

Psychologists say tiredness can be a cause of depression... Well I've also experienced it as a cause of artistic emotional flow... So it's not always a bad thing! You definitely made a good point.

[juicyfruitsxoxo]

Hello everyone!

I am new to this site and community and am excited for the book recc's and the knowledge I will learn about writing. I am considering participating in NaNoWriMo this year (National Novel Writing Month). I've heard of people setting a goal to write a specific amount of words, write an entire novel, develop their existing novel, etc.

I am a blogger and reader so I feel like I have a very primitive foundation for wanting to write. I don't have a degree in creative writing or anything like that, so I wanted to know from you all, is it a dream worth pursuing? I know I will have to ultimately decide, but sometimes I feel like because I didn't go to college for it or have any other accumulated knowledge on writing that I will fail at writing an actual story. Maybe its silly. Any pointers? Tips? Encouragement?

Do you see the dream? No doubt you do or else you wouldn't be here. With that in mind, as long as you see the dream chase it I am actually in the same situation as you. So I decided to just go the college for something that I can make a living at even though my passion is writing. Why did I come to this decision? Because there are so many avenues for honing this craft. I plan to take free writing courses, meet other aspiring authors, gather tips and ideas from more seasoned writers ,and most importantly to always write. Consider taking some free writing courses that might help.

[shezka_foxe]

Writing, plain and simple comes directly not from your heart, but you're very soul.

For a lot of writers it is a passion. A need to communicate with the world on how you see it. Regardless if you're just starting out, or are a veteran in going along with the stories you need these to be an excellent writer. A person will also feel the need to constantly keep improving. Meaning you write everyday no matter what.

As for college I have to admit it's ultimately up to you. If you love stories, and are able to stick to them and finish them (which is by far the hardest part is finishing them)) I would say writing courses may be an option. A lot of people have various opinions on them. It's a 50/50 shot in my opinion. Writing courses can help you fine tune the skills you already have as a creative writer and most people will say yes. But if you're still into writing a few years down the road then I would take that gamble to go to college.

[Nathrad Sheare]

I totally agree with you when it comes to finishing a story! It's the hardest part of writing one, DEFINITELY! It's so worth it to get it done, though, right?