I'm 18 years old and I read like crazy. I have a lot of good ideas for stories so I thought maybe I would try writing. I've actually gotten about 3 chapters done on a book. I was wondering if anyone had any advice they could give me. Any and all advice would help a lot. I'm working on a teen fiction book.
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Writer in Training
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Lindon Tinuviel
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The best advice I can give is to finish chapter three, write chapter four, then keep going. While you're doing that, you should also be reading like crazy. Good luck.
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Kokopelli
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Write... a lot. 
Reading also helps a lot too. I know Dan Simmons recommends reading the classic writers, Hemmingway, etc.
I haven't had much free time the past few months, however my main area of focus was character development. I have read too many books where the characters lacked development or emotion. The current book I'm reading now, WhiteChapel Gods, by S.M. Peters has an interesting concept. However, there is not one character that stands out, and he has spewed an ensemble cast of characters. I have had a enough time trying to maintain the "who's who" in the story, let alone remember what their driving forces are.
Therefore, I would highly recommend building and developing your characters. You want them to be memorable by your readers, almost as if, they are living, breathing people.
Reading also helps a lot too. I know Dan Simmons recommends reading the classic writers, Hemmingway, etc.
I haven't had much free time the past few months, however my main area of focus was character development. I have read too many books where the characters lacked development or emotion. The current book I'm reading now, WhiteChapel Gods, by S.M. Peters has an interesting concept. However, there is not one character that stands out, and he has spewed an ensemble cast of characters. I have had a enough time trying to maintain the "who's who" in the story, let alone remember what their driving forces are.
Therefore, I would highly recommend building and developing your characters. You want them to be memorable by your readers, almost as if, they are living, breathing people.
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Lessien
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I agree completely with Kokopelli. First start with your concept, because without that there's no story, but develop your characters, too.
Actually, I'm starting to think that it might be better to focus on character development first. It the characters that readers relate to, after all, not the story. One thing I might recommend is writing something from the POV of each of your main characters. Not a scene, really, but a journal entry, a monologue, or a blog post. This doesn't have to make it in to the story at all, but it WILL help you get to know your characters better. When their voices are so prominent that you almost hear them whispering in your ear as you write, you'll know you've got it.
Actually, I'm starting to think that it might be better to focus on character development first. It the characters that readers relate to, after all, not the story. One thing I might recommend is writing something from the POV of each of your main characters. Not a scene, really, but a journal entry, a monologue, or a blog post. This doesn't have to make it in to the story at all, but it WILL help you get to know your characters better. When their voices are so prominent that you almost hear them whispering in your ear as you write, you'll know you've got it.
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Shicoco
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Well...I can't help as much with the interesting part of stories as much as with the mechanics of the story. We lightly went over a few things in English class, but now I remember them like crazy.
I'm not really sure how I became so knowledgeable in writing...I don't write much.... I don't think I could write a super famous book, but I do know what a really great book needs, so I'm willing to help out others. All you need to do is give the writing that spark of greatness that I can't give.
First off, know your grammar.
Second, either pick a theme first (what message do you want to convey?), then add a plot, or, make a plot, then add a theme.
Third...hmmm...let's talk about characters. Your characters need distinct personalities. Why don't you create a small journal, and describe each character in there. How would Character A react to Character B slapping him/her?
Also, don't forget character growth. How does the character change throughout the story? Note that some characters don't have to change, such as supportive characters. We call these flat characters.
Fourth...the thing I can't really help you with as much...you need to write with your own, consistent style. You don't have to narrate extremely formal. Also, only give detailed descriptions where necessary. It's not always necessary to describe a character's looks as soon as he/she is introduced into the story.
Why don't you put an excerpt of your story on here? I'd love to read it and give you advice.
I'm not really sure how I became so knowledgeable in writing...I don't write much.... I don't think I could write a super famous book, but I do know what a really great book needs, so I'm willing to help out others. All you need to do is give the writing that spark of greatness that I can't give.
First off, know your grammar.
Second, either pick a theme first (what message do you want to convey?), then add a plot, or, make a plot, then add a theme.
Third...hmmm...let's talk about characters. Your characters need distinct personalities. Why don't you create a small journal, and describe each character in there. How would Character A react to Character B slapping him/her?
Also, don't forget character growth. How does the character change throughout the story? Note that some characters don't have to change, such as supportive characters. We call these flat characters.
Fourth...the thing I can't really help you with as much...you need to write with your own, consistent style. You don't have to narrate extremely formal. Also, only give detailed descriptions where necessary. It's not always necessary to describe a character's looks as soon as he/she is introduced into the story.
Why don't you put an excerpt of your story on here? I'd love to read it and give you advice.
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zay
praise Him for your testimony!
This is a tad long, but I hope it helps.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes or re-writes. Write and keep writing, even if it doesn't make any sense at the moment. But also, don't be afraid to take a step back and chop away. There's going to be times where you reach a point in the work where you feel you absolutely have to keep something, but don't let that stop you. Many times, it's the paragraphs/sections you want to keep that have to go or be shaped for the greater/deeper good of the overall work. There will also be times that what you thought was the purpose/plot of the story will change. Don't be afraid to let your work speak to you as you go along. Treat the work as if it's a living entity. If it wants to go in another direction, let it guide you.
Save frequently so you can go back and forth and experiment. Roam in the world that's being created. Once you finish one draft/version, consider changing point of view. Ask yourself what-if questions in regards to plot, characters, mood, etc. As you go along, ask yourself who/what is this character. Do the same for your secondary characters, treat them as if they're your best friend. Who are they, what are their motivations, how do they fit/go against the plot/other characters. Is a character round or flat? Why are they, and how does it go with/against the greater theme of the work or society? Don't be afraid to LOVE your antagonist, they have the potential to be your deepest character. A great antagonist is someone a reader can hate and find something to love about them, especially when it works with the theme of your work. The journal suggestions and other ideas that you've received are spot on.
In the process, read others' works and ask yourself questions about them, and keep reading, even stuff that you normally wouldn't give a chance (Edgar Huntly, Or, Memoirs of a Sleepwalker is a great pick.) What is it about the characters that draws you in/away from the work? What do you like about them/what would you do differently? What do you draw from a particular author, their style, their ways of description/imagery/grammar/emotion-tone use. How does a particular author differentiate from other authors/yourself? How would you build a particular scene? Why did a scene(s) stand out to you? How would/could you say something in your own words? Study what authors have done in the past and are doing currently. I would even suggest studying the writers behind the works if you can. Think about how their lives are/have been translated into their works. What do they weave from their own lives into their works, and what are their struggles? How do they convey them consciously or subconsciously into their works? Ask yourself these questions, but of course, enjoy the work for what it is, or could be.
Form-wise, for dialogue, identify who's speaking right away. For instance:
"Dialogue," zay said, "is great when the person speaking is identified immediately."
Vary it up of course, but this is a rule that I've been taught which helps keep your fiction and dialogue tags clean. Also, depending on the mood you want to portray, it can pay dividends.
Also observe the world around you. Speech patterns, walking patterns, how people convey themselves in various emotional states. For your settings, ask yourself what emotions you feel when you see/feel a scene in your mind. When sunlight filters through the window, is it warm despite it being cold outside? On a cloudy day, are the clouds struggling to pierce the building they hang over, or are they merely looming lazily. Or is there hope, as sunlight struggles to but ultimately breaks through. Compare what your character sees/feels to your real-life experiences.
Another read I suggest is Annie Dillard's The Writer's Life. It's excellent for a beginning writer or for someone who has been at it for a while. It gets you inside the head of a writer, gives you direction, encouragement, and helps you in those inevitable times when you'll feel frustrated and when you feel all alone as a writer.
Don't fret over the bad days. Days you want to write but can't seem to get a sentence right, much less a paragraph. You'll read something and ask yourself how a particular work/author was published. There will be days when you're ready to throw it all away and ask yourself why you write. Don't give up. It's in those times that you're on the brink of growing. I hope and pray this helps.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes or re-writes. Write and keep writing, even if it doesn't make any sense at the moment. But also, don't be afraid to take a step back and chop away. There's going to be times where you reach a point in the work where you feel you absolutely have to keep something, but don't let that stop you. Many times, it's the paragraphs/sections you want to keep that have to go or be shaped for the greater/deeper good of the overall work. There will also be times that what you thought was the purpose/plot of the story will change. Don't be afraid to let your work speak to you as you go along. Treat the work as if it's a living entity. If it wants to go in another direction, let it guide you.
Save frequently so you can go back and forth and experiment. Roam in the world that's being created. Once you finish one draft/version, consider changing point of view. Ask yourself what-if questions in regards to plot, characters, mood, etc. As you go along, ask yourself who/what is this character. Do the same for your secondary characters, treat them as if they're your best friend. Who are they, what are their motivations, how do they fit/go against the plot/other characters. Is a character round or flat? Why are they, and how does it go with/against the greater theme of the work or society? Don't be afraid to LOVE your antagonist, they have the potential to be your deepest character. A great antagonist is someone a reader can hate and find something to love about them, especially when it works with the theme of your work. The journal suggestions and other ideas that you've received are spot on.
In the process, read others' works and ask yourself questions about them, and keep reading, even stuff that you normally wouldn't give a chance (Edgar Huntly, Or, Memoirs of a Sleepwalker is a great pick.) What is it about the characters that draws you in/away from the work? What do you like about them/what would you do differently? What do you draw from a particular author, their style, their ways of description/imagery/grammar/emotion-tone use. How does a particular author differentiate from other authors/yourself? How would you build a particular scene? Why did a scene(s) stand out to you? How would/could you say something in your own words? Study what authors have done in the past and are doing currently. I would even suggest studying the writers behind the works if you can. Think about how their lives are/have been translated into their works. What do they weave from their own lives into their works, and what are their struggles? How do they convey them consciously or subconsciously into their works? Ask yourself these questions, but of course, enjoy the work for what it is, or could be.
Form-wise, for dialogue, identify who's speaking right away. For instance:
"Dialogue," zay said, "is great when the person speaking is identified immediately."
Vary it up of course, but this is a rule that I've been taught which helps keep your fiction and dialogue tags clean. Also, depending on the mood you want to portray, it can pay dividends.
Also observe the world around you. Speech patterns, walking patterns, how people convey themselves in various emotional states. For your settings, ask yourself what emotions you feel when you see/feel a scene in your mind. When sunlight filters through the window, is it warm despite it being cold outside? On a cloudy day, are the clouds struggling to pierce the building they hang over, or are they merely looming lazily. Or is there hope, as sunlight struggles to but ultimately breaks through. Compare what your character sees/feels to your real-life experiences.
Another read I suggest is Annie Dillard's The Writer's Life. It's excellent for a beginning writer or for someone who has been at it for a while. It gets you inside the head of a writer, gives you direction, encouragement, and helps you in those inevitable times when you'll feel frustrated and when you feel all alone as a writer.
Don't fret over the bad days. Days you want to write but can't seem to get a sentence right, much less a paragraph. You'll read something and ask yourself how a particular work/author was published. There will be days when you're ready to throw it all away and ask yourself why you write. Don't give up. It's in those times that you're on the brink of growing. I hope and pray this helps.
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Lindon Tinuviel
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I would recommend againt posting any excerpts, unless the forum is hidden from public view, preferably one requiring a password to read. Email and PMs fulfil those two recommendations splendidly.
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Lindon Tinuviel
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But don't keep writing the same thing over and over again. Experiment with person, point of view, and narrator styles. The first two are pretty easy, but very rewarding. The third is more difficult. Take one of your shorter, straight-on storytelling pieces, and rewrite it with an unreliable narrator... that'll make you sweat.
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Rowan
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Take risks and don't be worried about making your characters do stupid, maybe even infuriating, things. They're only human, even if they're non-human. Perfect people are boring and don't have it in them to make a good story anyway.
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