Hello there! This is Evangeline again. As you, hopefully, gathered, this is a blog that gives free tips and advice from real authors. I have this blog on a website maker called Yola, and it's so much easier to navigate and find things on there. It's much more organized and it's got more to it, including photos and a home page with more information.
I also have a website where I post my own work. Currently, I have three stories going and I am doing bi-weekly updates. This site is the best I've done so far, and I would love for you guys to check the pair out.
Writing Tips: http://evietellsall.yolasite.com/
My Work: http://yafantasy.yolasite.com/
Hope to see the views on them increase!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
My Writing, My T&T
Hey, it's Evangeline here~ In this post, I'll be talking about my writing experience. I'll also give some tips of my own.
When I am writing, I usually get scenes, short plots, and/or characters in my head. THAT'S what inspires my writing. It might be a single, short, boring scene that inspires me. It might be some movie. Heck, it may even be another author's book. My ideas come from anywhere and everywhere, just like everyone else's. For me, the hard part of writing is plotting the whole story. Occasionally, I'll slip up where the characters are involved. I have to change a few characters and a few relationships throughout the story. I have to add and kill characters fairly quickly. When a writer says that writing isn't easy, they're right. It takes a lot of rewriting and editing and changing your plans to create a piece that sings.
Most authors know what they're talking about. I've seen a lot of tips for writing, and when I created this site, I added 'and tricks' simply because I liked the sound of it. In reality, there are no tricks to writing. There aren't any shortcuts. You can't wave a magical wand and end up with an amazing story, or even a poor one. Writing takes experience, which I am lacking in because I've learned almost nothing about writing these past few years. (Texas has changed their state tests, and our main focus has shifted to essays. Not a sentence of fiction.)
So, I'm going to give some tips of my own. Honestly, I haven't tested any of them. They're mostly theoretical.
Tip 1: Set a daily word count
I see this one everywhere, and if you've looked at writing T&T before, you probably have too. It's everywhere. Honestly, I've never tried it, but I want to. Personally, if you're like me, a 750 word count sounds good. And don't worry; it's not as long as it seems. It's just over a paragraph or two. Also, most typing programs (Word, Notepad, etc.) have an automatic word counter. This word count, as far as I remember, is just a minimum. However, I wouldn't go over 800 words total. That way, if I still had ideas, I could save them for the next day.
Tip 2: Join a writing group
Most schools have some sort of creative writing club. I've never been to one, and I'm not sure how it works, but I intent to pay a few visits this coming school year. I don't know if they do poetry, fiction, research papers, or fantasy, or a mix of all of them, although I'm hoping for a fiction group. That way, I can promote this website as well as my other one where I post my writings. (Yafantasy.yolasite.com)
Tip 3: Constructive Criticism
This is EXTREMELY important. Coming from someone who knows what they're talking about, this can help your writing immensely. If you don't have anyone telling you how to get better, you wont improve. I haven;'t gotten constructive criticism in years, and I realized how little I've improved when I found a story I wrote in middle school. There really isn't much I want to change. It's staying almost the same as it was four years ago! So, this is important. This is where your writing will get better and how it will evolve.
Tip 4: Edit and Rewrite
I hate this part of writing. I hate rereading my work. It's awful. But, unfortunately, I know I should do it. In my other work (Again on YAFantasy.yolasite.com) I haven't edited or rewritten anything outside of Dakota's story, and that was only redone because the story was no longer a collaboration; my partner is no longer available for it. So, I have to change it and change characters and such, even though the plot is staying mostly the same.
Tip 5: Get Good Feedback
This, IMO, is important. If you don't have anyone telling you you're good or that you have potential, you're not going to want to write anymore. This is a big confidence booster. However, don't let it go to your head. Make sure to remember the constructive criticism when you write.
Tip 6: Show off your work
What's the point of writing if no one's going to read your work? Yes, some people may enjoy writing for themselves, but most people I know hate it. Personally, if I'm not getting views for my websites, I get lazy and stop posting. It doesn't have to be many views (I get excited about two unknown people visiting.), but any readers, regular or not, are good. However, try your hardest to get regular readers early on. If you're posting a chapter every other week like I am for three stories, new readers can get overwhelmed fairly quickly.
Tip 7: Run your work by friends
I do this quite often with one of my friends. She helps me come up with great ideas to help keep my story moving. This step is also important to me, because without her imput, I'd have a very, VERY boring story. And I don't even realize it until I hear her opinion! So, this seems to be a great idea to me. It may fall under the feedback category, but it is helpful.
When I am writing, I usually get scenes, short plots, and/or characters in my head. THAT'S what inspires my writing. It might be a single, short, boring scene that inspires me. It might be some movie. Heck, it may even be another author's book. My ideas come from anywhere and everywhere, just like everyone else's. For me, the hard part of writing is plotting the whole story. Occasionally, I'll slip up where the characters are involved. I have to change a few characters and a few relationships throughout the story. I have to add and kill characters fairly quickly. When a writer says that writing isn't easy, they're right. It takes a lot of rewriting and editing and changing your plans to create a piece that sings.
Most authors know what they're talking about. I've seen a lot of tips for writing, and when I created this site, I added 'and tricks' simply because I liked the sound of it. In reality, there are no tricks to writing. There aren't any shortcuts. You can't wave a magical wand and end up with an amazing story, or even a poor one. Writing takes experience, which I am lacking in because I've learned almost nothing about writing these past few years. (Texas has changed their state tests, and our main focus has shifted to essays. Not a sentence of fiction.)
So, I'm going to give some tips of my own. Honestly, I haven't tested any of them. They're mostly theoretical.
Tip 1: Set a daily word count
I see this one everywhere, and if you've looked at writing T&T before, you probably have too. It's everywhere. Honestly, I've never tried it, but I want to. Personally, if you're like me, a 750 word count sounds good. And don't worry; it's not as long as it seems. It's just over a paragraph or two. Also, most typing programs (Word, Notepad, etc.) have an automatic word counter. This word count, as far as I remember, is just a minimum. However, I wouldn't go over 800 words total. That way, if I still had ideas, I could save them for the next day.
Tip 2: Join a writing group
Most schools have some sort of creative writing club. I've never been to one, and I'm not sure how it works, but I intent to pay a few visits this coming school year. I don't know if they do poetry, fiction, research papers, or fantasy, or a mix of all of them, although I'm hoping for a fiction group. That way, I can promote this website as well as my other one where I post my writings. (Yafantasy.yolasite.com)
Tip 3: Constructive Criticism
This is EXTREMELY important. Coming from someone who knows what they're talking about, this can help your writing immensely. If you don't have anyone telling you how to get better, you wont improve. I haven;'t gotten constructive criticism in years, and I realized how little I've improved when I found a story I wrote in middle school. There really isn't much I want to change. It's staying almost the same as it was four years ago! So, this is important. This is where your writing will get better and how it will evolve.
Tip 4: Edit and Rewrite
I hate this part of writing. I hate rereading my work. It's awful. But, unfortunately, I know I should do it. In my other work (Again on YAFantasy.yolasite.com) I haven't edited or rewritten anything outside of Dakota's story, and that was only redone because the story was no longer a collaboration; my partner is no longer available for it. So, I have to change it and change characters and such, even though the plot is staying mostly the same.
Tip 5: Get Good Feedback
This, IMO, is important. If you don't have anyone telling you you're good or that you have potential, you're not going to want to write anymore. This is a big confidence booster. However, don't let it go to your head. Make sure to remember the constructive criticism when you write.
Tip 6: Show off your work
What's the point of writing if no one's going to read your work? Yes, some people may enjoy writing for themselves, but most people I know hate it. Personally, if I'm not getting views for my websites, I get lazy and stop posting. It doesn't have to be many views (I get excited about two unknown people visiting.), but any readers, regular or not, are good. However, try your hardest to get regular readers early on. If you're posting a chapter every other week like I am for three stories, new readers can get overwhelmed fairly quickly.
Tip 7: Run your work by friends
I do this quite often with one of my friends. She helps me come up with great ideas to help keep my story moving. This step is also important to me, because without her imput, I'd have a very, VERY boring story. And I don't even realize it until I hear her opinion! So, this seems to be a great idea to me. It may fall under the feedback category, but it is helpful.
Introduction
Hello there! My name is... well, I'm not giving my real name here. Why? Because I don't want to. I want to use an alias here, and as you can see from my banner, that alias is Evangeline. Evie for short. On all my other stuff I have my real name up, although I don't like giving my last name.
There's a lot I can tell you about myself. I like anime, reading, writing, and hanging out with my friends. I like music. I want to animate for Disney. This blog's main focus will be writing. I will include tips on how to keep your story going, how to start, and hopefully how to end it. I will also list generators that I like and other tips. Most of these tips will come from authors, and I'll try to provide links to my sources.
There's a lot I can tell you about myself. I like anime, reading, writing, and hanging out with my friends. I like music. I want to animate for Disney. This blog's main focus will be writing. I will include tips on how to keep your story going, how to start, and hopefully how to end it. I will also list generators that I like and other tips. Most of these tips will come from authors, and I'll try to provide links to my sources.
Tips and Tricks (T&T) from Darren Shan
Today I'll be posting tips and tricks (T&T) from Darren Shan, author of the Cirque Du Freak, The Demonata, and Zom-B. I am a huge fan of his work, and have read the majority of his books. I have a collection that's just his stuff, and won an autographed Vampire's Assistant t-shirt from him, which I refuse to wear or wash because the sharpie might come out.
So, anyways, these T&T are from his large T&T database, which I will post a link to later on. All of these are from his site, and belong to him. I didn't write any of these tips or tricks. However, I have shortened them and highlighted the points I feel are most important. No T&T were left out.
Tip #1: Write
There are many people who sit around thinking about what they would write instead of actually writing. Writing is hard work, and it requires a lot of time and effort. The more you write, the better you'll get.
Tip #2: Good Advance Plotting
Before you begin writing, try to write out your whole plot. As you write, it'll help guide you along.
Tip #3: Finish What You Start
Writing is a learning process. In order to be a good author, you need to experience every angle of writing. If you stop after a few pages every time you start something, you'll only learn how to write a good opening.
Tip #4: Have Fun!
It'll probably take you a long time to get to the point where you're good enough to be published, and that climb is lonely and lots of hard work, but you can have fun doing it.
Tip #5: Don't Stop
Many people stop trying to get published when they realize how hard it is. Every writer finds it hard, and it generally takes a lot of work and time to develop a good story.
Tip #6: Be Patient
Most authors aren't going to make a quick breakthrough. It takes time. Some authors DO have a breakthrough at a young age, but most don't see their works published until their 30s, at least.
Tip #7: Listen to the Advice of Others
Believe it or not, most of you teachers do know what they're talking about.Pay attention when your teacher is talking about grammar, structure, etc. No writing exercise is ever futile, even if it seems like it at the time.
Tip #8: Feedback can be helpful, but it isn't essential.
If you want to show your work to family and friends, do so. If you don't want to, then don't. Also don't listen to them if they criticize you for not sharing your work.
Tip #9: When you feel like publishing your work, read a book that explains how to go about it
In the UK and Ireland, I would recommend The Writers And Artists Yearbook. In the USA, I hear that The Writer’s Market offers much the same insightful and helpful information. Follow their advice!
Tip #10: Don't be afraid of rejection
Virtually every writer gets turned down when they’re starting out. Rejection is normal. You don’t have to like it, but you’ll need to deal with it, so develop a thick skin and don’t take it personally when an agent or publisher turns you down or ignores you completely! Listen to their advice if they offer any, then carry on writing and fine-tuning your craft and submitting. If you hang on in there, and keep going, and don’t let rejection dampen your spirits, you WILL succeed!!!!
Link: http://www.darrenshan.com/writing-tips/article/intro-quick-writing-guide/
More T&T From Darren: http://www.darrenshan.com/writing-tips/
So, this is directed more towards people wanting to get published. Personally, I don't want to get published yet. I want to write as I am now and get some readers and feedback before I actually start considering publishing ANYTHING. Heck, I want ti finish a book first. So, soon, I'll try and find/post things that are directed towards helping you FINISH a book and develop your story and actually get good at writing instead of trying to get published. Believe me, you don't have to try and get published to be an author. You can write on WattPad or Blogger or Fanfiction.net. The problem for me has always been getting readers, and I'm sure it is for you too. That's what I'm going to focus on later.
Also, I am going to try and direct this towards amateur authors with no money to pay for ads or their own website or anything. I'm in that spot, and all of my stuff has to be completely free.So, I'll find stuff that may help people like me, and hopefully I can post my own T&T later on.
All my best,
Evangeline
So, anyways, these T&T are from his large T&T database, which I will post a link to later on. All of these are from his site, and belong to him. I didn't write any of these tips or tricks. However, I have shortened them and highlighted the points I feel are most important. No T&T were left out.
Tip #1: Write
There are many people who sit around thinking about what they would write instead of actually writing. Writing is hard work, and it requires a lot of time and effort. The more you write, the better you'll get.
Tip #2: Good Advance Plotting
Before you begin writing, try to write out your whole plot. As you write, it'll help guide you along.
Tip #3: Finish What You Start
Writing is a learning process. In order to be a good author, you need to experience every angle of writing. If you stop after a few pages every time you start something, you'll only learn how to write a good opening.
Tip #4: Have Fun!
It'll probably take you a long time to get to the point where you're good enough to be published, and that climb is lonely and lots of hard work, but you can have fun doing it.
Tip #5: Don't Stop
Many people stop trying to get published when they realize how hard it is. Every writer finds it hard, and it generally takes a lot of work and time to develop a good story.
Tip #6: Be Patient
Most authors aren't going to make a quick breakthrough. It takes time. Some authors DO have a breakthrough at a young age, but most don't see their works published until their 30s, at least.
Tip #7: Listen to the Advice of Others
Believe it or not, most of you teachers do know what they're talking about.Pay attention when your teacher is talking about grammar, structure, etc. No writing exercise is ever futile, even if it seems like it at the time.
Tip #8: Feedback can be helpful, but it isn't essential.
If you want to show your work to family and friends, do so. If you don't want to, then don't. Also don't listen to them if they criticize you for not sharing your work.
Tip #9: When you feel like publishing your work, read a book that explains how to go about it
In the UK and Ireland, I would recommend The Writers And Artists Yearbook. In the USA, I hear that The Writer’s Market offers much the same insightful and helpful information. Follow their advice!
Tip #10: Don't be afraid of rejection
Virtually every writer gets turned down when they’re starting out. Rejection is normal. You don’t have to like it, but you’ll need to deal with it, so develop a thick skin and don’t take it personally when an agent or publisher turns you down or ignores you completely! Listen to their advice if they offer any, then carry on writing and fine-tuning your craft and submitting. If you hang on in there, and keep going, and don’t let rejection dampen your spirits, you WILL succeed!!!!
Link: http://www.darrenshan.com/writing-tips/article/intro-quick-writing-guide/
More T&T From Darren: http://www.darrenshan.com/writing-tips/
So, this is directed more towards people wanting to get published. Personally, I don't want to get published yet. I want to write as I am now and get some readers and feedback before I actually start considering publishing ANYTHING. Heck, I want ti finish a book first. So, soon, I'll try and find/post things that are directed towards helping you FINISH a book and develop your story and actually get good at writing instead of trying to get published. Believe me, you don't have to try and get published to be an author. You can write on WattPad or Blogger or Fanfiction.net. The problem for me has always been getting readers, and I'm sure it is for you too. That's what I'm going to focus on later.
Also, I am going to try and direct this towards amateur authors with no money to pay for ads or their own website or anything. I'm in that spot, and all of my stuff has to be completely free.So, I'll find stuff that may help people like me, and hopefully I can post my own T&T later on.
All my best,
Evangeline
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