am new on here, how do i go about writing something
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I bought a brilliant book from Waterstone's to get me practising and generating new ideas and styles of writing: 642 Things To Write About (Young writer's edition, but there is one for adult writers, too) produced by 826 Valencia. It has loads and loads of story scenarios that you can write about, with blank spaces to write in. There are other versions of it around, but I've used my copy a LOT! It is a great way to get started writing when you are short of ideas (or your own aren't working for you), and what I've found is, even if you don't stick to the original storyline they suggest, it really doesn't matter because it really does get your imaginative juices flowing! I love it! And if you can't pick one (there's so many to choose from!), try opening the book at a random page and write the first storyline you see when you open it. It is a really useful tool! I also keep a pen and paper with me ALL the time (even by the bed) so that when an idea pops into my head, I can just jot it down and go back to it later. It's like photographers carrying their camera around with them all the time so they're ready to shoot as soon as they see something they like - always be ready, and never be afraid to just write bits and pieces: it doesn't have to be the first line of a new chapter! It might just be an idea for a character, or one simple moment, or a word. It doesn't matter at first. Collect ideas and hang onto them without worrying if some of them are disjointed. One day you will use at least ONE - and that could start the ball rolling. It might just be part of an overheard conversation, a word, a sign somewhere, a smell, an event, a weird little old man you see at a bus stop, the sound of a screeching car, ANYTHING! Don't get bogged down in thinking everything you write has to be done sitting down at a desk/laptop and that it has to come out fully formed as a bestseller from page one!! Just use all your senses wherever you are, and ideas will start popping into your head the more you let them. In the end even one thing will create a spark or trigger something...and you'll be off! Never be disappointed with anything you write: it is all practice, all your own personal training, and none of it is wasted for that very reason. Think of it as writer's gym! The more you 'exercise', the easier it becomes! Just don't worry - if you think too hard, then it's not there. Be prepared to wait for it. If you're any good at all, it WILL come!! Try one of those type of books, though - they really can be a great help! Good luck (and let me know how it goes!)
Hi Baljinder. I agree with Emily, write write write. What you write about doesn't matter, why not make your diary come to life. It doesn't all have to be real, you can take a day's' events and then use your imagination to turn that day into what you really wanted to happen, or make it bizarre, it's your mind writing, you can make absolutely anything happen. Just one suggestion, don't forget to read your work back ALOUD to yourself, unless you are happy reading it aloud to someone else. The out loud makes such a difference, you "hear" your mistakes and the places that don't scan because some bits are still in your head and you didn't get them down on paper.
There is of course the possibility we have misunderstood you and what you mean is you are a writer but don't know where to write on here?
I'm new to this too (other than writing for school or essays at university). I have been advised that the important thing is just to start writing. If nothing makes sense or everything makes you cringe when you read it back, it doesn't matter. You don't have to show anyone the first tries if you don't want to, but you do have to write the first tries to get better. Even if all you can think to write about is what's in your wardrobe, start writing!
I bought a brilliant book from Waterstone's to get me practising and generating new ideas and styles of writing: 642 Things To Write About (Young writer's edition, but there is one for adult writers, too) produced by 826 Valencia. It has loads and loads of story scenarios that you can write about, with blank spaces to write in. There are other versions of it around, but I've used my copy a LOT! It is a great way to get started writing when you are short of ideas (or your own aren't working for you), and what I've found is, even if you don't stick to the original storyline they suggest, it really doesn't matter because it really does get your imaginative juices flowing! I love it! And if you can't pick one (there's so many to choose from!), try opening the book at a random page and write the first storyline you see when you open it. It is a really useful tool! I also keep a pen and paper with me ALL the time (even by the bed) so that when an idea pops into my head, I can just jot it down and go back to it later. It's like photographers carrying their camera around with them all the time so they're ready to shoot as soon as they see something they like - always be ready, and never be afraid to just write bits and pieces: it doesn't have to be the first line of a new chapter! It might just be an idea for a character, or one simple moment, or a word. It doesn't matter at first. Collect ideas and hang onto them without worrying if some of them are disjointed. One day you will use at least ONE - and that could start the ball rolling. It might just be part of an overheard conversation, a word, a sign somewhere, a smell, an event, a weird little old man you see at a bus stop, the sound of a screeching car, ANYTHING! Don't get bogged down in thinking everything you write has to be done sitting down at a desk/laptop and that it has to come out fully formed as a bestseller from page one!! Just use all your senses wherever you are, and ideas will start popping into your head the more you let them. In the end even one thing will create a spark or trigger something...and you'll be off! Never be disappointed with anything you write: it is all practice, all your own personal training, and none of it is wasted for that very reason. Think of it as writer's gym! The more you 'exercise', the easier it becomes! Just don't worry - if you think too hard, then it's not there. Be prepared to wait for it. If you're any good at all, it WILL come!! Try one of those type of books, though - they really can be a great help! Good luck (and let me know how it goes!)
Hi Baljinder. I agree with Emily, write write write. What you write about doesn't matter, why not make your diary come to life. It doesn't all have to be real, you can take a day's' events and then use your imagination to turn that day into what you really wanted to happen, or make it bizarre, it's your mind writing, you can make absolutely anything happen. Just one suggestion, don't forget to read your work back ALOUD to yourself, unless you are happy reading it aloud to someone else. The out loud makes such a difference, you "hear" your mistakes and the places that don't scan because some bits are still in your head and you didn't get them down on paper.
There is of course the possibility we have misunderstood you and what you mean is you are a writer but don't know where to write on here?
Regards, Paul G
I'm new to this too (other than writing for school or essays at university). I have been advised that the important thing is just to start writing. If nothing makes sense or everything makes you cringe when you read it back, it doesn't matter. You don't have to show anyone the first tries if you don't want to, but you do have to write the first tries to get better. Even if all you can think to write about is what's in your wardrobe, start writing!