Hello and welcome to the marvelous world(s) of writing!!! I hope these tips will help you, but remember, you know best how to write your story. Good luck on your journey!
- Write! The best way to learn is through experience, and you don’t need to learn about writing first (that’s one of my favorite things about it!). Classes and books on writing are often really helpful, but don’t feel like you need them to begin. “If you wish to be a writer, write.” — Epictetus
- Don’t stress about making it perfect on the first try. No one has to see your very first draft, and you can always revise. “You can edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult
- Find what works for you. Experiment with plotting (making an outline) and pantsing (making it up as you go), different goals, editing as you go or editing at the end, etc. There’s no one way to write (ignore anyone who tells you otherwise, including me!), and your writing method is yours to find! “There are three rules of writing. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” — Somerset Maugham
- Write what makes you happy! The readers will probably feel the way you and your characters feel. If a scene is boring to you, skip it! If you want to devastate your readers, devastate your characters (and by extension yourself). If you want an enjoyable story, write what you enjoy! “Always err on the side of what is awesome.” — Brandon Sanderson
- Don’t give up. If you have a story to write (or even if you don’t), you CAN write it!!! I believe in you! ???? Take a break, write a different story, do whatever helps you to keep going, but you are stronger than any forces that may try to stop you from writing. Also, Brandon Sanderson wrote thirteen novels before he got published, and Shannon Messenger wrote twenty drafts of her first book, but now both of them are bestselling, full-time writers! “You fail only if you stop writing.” — Ray Bradbury
- You are the Chosen One. It may be hard not to compare yourself to other writers, but remember, you are unique. Your art is unique. You are the only person in the world who can possibly tell your story. Even if other people have more experience, are faster at writing, and have an easier time, you are the one with your own, personal, amazing set of ideas and experiences. (Also, remember that first drafts are absolutely not the same as published drafts and cannot possibly be compared.) “Second things second, don’t you tell me what you think that I can be. I’m the one at the sail, I’m the master of my sea.” — Imagine Dragons
- Don’t worry what anyone will think, and just write. “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” — Lemony Snicket