I want to begin writing.

brenlae

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« on: September 25, 2008, 09:13:26 PM »

Okay, so, I'm a bit of a poet, but what I really strive for is to write a novel some day. I have plenty of free time to spare, so I thought this would be a great thing to just... "get into", if you know what I mean.

Anyway, what sorts of supplies do I need? I mean, I have no computer nor typewriter, but loads of paper and a wrist just yearning to be used, for lack of a better word.

What about research?

So, yeah. I'll just try reading more often (read: study more often) and writing when I feel the spark.

Well, any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance, later.


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GamerGirl

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Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2008, 06:01:51 AM »

Well, there are plenty of “how to” guides out there...ones I would recommend are :
Wannabe a Writer? : Jane Wenham-Jones ISBN 9781905170814
Creative Writing, A Workbook : Linda Anderson (Editor) ISBN 0415372437
and, not as practical, but very entertaining :
On Writing : Stephen King ISBN 9780340820469
I don't know where you are based, if the UK, you might consider enrolling on an OU writing course, or join either a local or an on-line writer's group, basically find somewhere you can contribute to, and keep contributing to, and get constructive criticism on your work. Grow a thick skin :-)
The best advice I have seen given to a would-be writer is : Get on with it, then!

Good luck.


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Yugosaki

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Professor Badass

Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2008, 09:02:03 AM »

Piece of advice stolen directly from SKTFM, carry around a little flip notepad and a pen, on you at all times. anytime you get a cool idea, whether or not it makes any sense to the story, write it down.

Also, don't do like I do. I'm obsessive, i'll rewrite a single chapter 3 times because I think i can do better. this severely slows down the process. write a rough draft and then obsess over details after you are done.


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(AKA CyburNetiks)
second life: Yugosaki Coronet
"Recoil." -Cpl Jacobson, after being asked what he felt when he shot someone

GamerGirl

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Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2008, 10:51:34 AM »

Yep ^^ according to the experts, your notebook is the only piece of kit you need.
And yes, if you get stuck, move on to the next scene or chapter, or even to the end, then work back to where you froze, and hopefully inspiration will have struck.

And brenlea, have you seen this thread?
http://smf.rantradio.com/rantprint-general/hello-fellow-writers!/msg11873/#new
As presumably you have Wog interests, why not submit some poetry or prose to PA1N? I see that Phoenix also mentions NaNoWriMo ..that would be excellent practice for you, and you are just in time to get ready to enter it this year.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano


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Loopy

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Son Of Liberty

Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2008, 03:47:35 PM »

Write a lot. Write until you burn out and then write some more. The more you do it, the better you get at it.


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~I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis--broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe ...In the spirit of this gift I shall take it. -FDR

Scott Skawronska

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Don't Pick Me.

Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2008, 09:23:42 AM »

(Insert shameless plug here)

Or you can pick up a copy of "No Plot, No Problem!" by Chris Baty.

Just sayin'

S


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Second Life: SSkawronska Seid

destined

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Posts: 457

Re: I want to begin writing.

« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2008, 05:49:03 PM »

If inspiration fails or forgets to fall upon you, try going for a walk or some other activity that may get your juices flowing.

Walking around my neighborhood or neighborhood, seems to get my juices flowing.. (or try a different city or neighborhood that you have never been in.)


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