I'm considering attempting to write a novel, any advice?

[Sophius]

Very realistic, Sophius.

I’ve been in a car situation like that! And what an uncaring mother. My only comment would be, who is the protagonist? Perhaps the story could revolve around one person’s point-of-view to focus the action.

Don’t worry, you don't have brain damage. Keep writing!

She isn't their mother, she is their sister. There really isn't just one protagonist, it's a multi-character plot story. The character the passage focuses on (Benny) goes insane later in the book after his brother attacks him and dies, so I can't really focus on him.

The thing is about brain damage is, that I'm not exactly the prime example of compos mentis. I use to hit myself in the head whenever I got upset(it was the only way I could stop a major panic attack).

To be honest, I'm terrified that I'll never be able to write again. My current writing is atrocious and juvenile, I just can't make sentences and have them flow like I did in that passage anymore. Of course it could be the medication I'm on(risperdol), but my psychaiatrist insists that it's not. I have trouble believing him, as it all started after I went on the medication in august(the passage was written in July).

[SteveEmmett]

We all learn and progress in different ways but when I started writing seriously I signed up for an online novel writing course with the LSJ. I consider it money well spent as after 22 months I signed my first publishing contract. You need to be very disciplined and read a lot. Join online writers' communities. Listen to advice - you don't always have to take it but get reactions to your writing and think hard about criticism you receive. And don't give up.
Steve

[LadyJeanette09]

Your writing is great for an under 16 year old! I'm impressed. Of course, you'll see more flaws than anyone else in your writing. Thanks for the excerpt as well. One thing I want to say, the style of the opening paragraph is very elegant and is a huge contrast with what follows. In my opinion, that's sort of strange, but don't change it just for me! My suggestion with the novel is to sort of write an outline of where you are going. What is going to happen? You decide the gist of it now. Then, work towards each step in the outline. Also, don't think your writing is juvenile just because you're a teenager. I remember writing a novel when I was 14. I really felt like it wasn't that great, but when I reread it in college I was shocked and impressed. Yeah, it needed a bit of cleaning up, and the audience of the novel was definitely for middle schoolers, not adults, but it was interesting. So, remember, you are your biggest critic, and that can be a bad thing! Anyway, work on it a little every day, even when you feel like you can't write anything related, just start writing and the next day you can fix it.

Good luck!!!