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Writting tips...

Scholar in training

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Well, I'm not sure how experienced you are, so I will proceed to give you general tips.

Read up on works by famous writers and decide which style (Neoclassical, Romantic, Naturalistic, Realistic, etc.) is best for you (you'll have to practice writing to find out which style you like most; don't be afraid to make mistakes, because that's how you learn). Decide what type of writing you want to work on: fiction, non-fiction, prose, poetry, satire, novel, narrative essay, etc. etc.

Along with reading books, practicing, and finding out which style of writing suits you best, learn the basic elements of any good story. Knowing the definitions of climax, rising action, falling action, protagonist, etc. and the place of each in a story will help you in the long run.

Decide on a plot and the main characters involved. Make sure that the characters have depth and personality (unless you're using the Neoclassical style, but that's a different story). Keep the story on-track: work on a main theme. You can have sub-plots and themes too (and they should ALL reasonably tie into the story), but focus on the main point the most.

Also remember that language is your friend, not your enemy. Use language to emphasize your point; be either concise or flowery (concise = Realist; flowery = Shakespeare). Practice using similies, analogies, puns and personification. All of them will add to the story and help the reader understand the plot and/or characters more clearly.

Finally, once you have written something, check it over and make sure that there are no plotholes. If there are, work around them and/or answer them; but don't be too explicit if you do answer them. Good writing usually demands subtlety.

I hope that helped. Remember: practice, practice, practice. Don't give up if you don't get it right away, because writing takes work, but it can produce brilliant results if you get it right. :)
 
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Z

Zugdor

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I've read a couple of books put out by other authors (in this case, Pratchett, Eddings and King) that one of the things they recommended the most was to read as many books as you could, and from as many different genres. When you do read them, take note of any little tricks they use in their writing that you could use in yours.

A main thing that I do (and I heard a few other authors say that they do this as well) is to essentially let the characters be themselves. Making them do things doesn't work for me. I just drop them in a situation and write down what they do.

As far as lacking in imagination or inspiration? When I can't write new stuff, I check my notes,make sure that I am constructing the world correctly. That can lead to some interesting thoughts as well as lead you into adding more stuff to your work to make it more interesting and give it greater depth. When I can't do that, I edit. If I am feeling so dry that I can't even be bothered to look at my work anymore I go away and do something else. I relax, play a game, watch a movie, hang out with some friends. I also pray and read my Bible.

Hope this helps!!
 
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Sojourner<><

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I like to keep a 'whatever' notebook around with me so I'm not afraid to write whatever comes to my mind, garbage or not, while my ideas stew for a while. Then later (sometimes months later) when I have the inspiration in me to string a few of those ideas together I'll have alot of good content already there for the picking. It helps me with my writer's block.
 
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thenightmarehero

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Increase your passion, sustain your rationality and practice self control in your creations to make meaningful stories. Also don't forget the Three Es that make a story successful: Entertainment, Enlightment, and Enjoyment.
 
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