Post by Lionstar on Feb 1, 2008 10:04:16 GMT -5
I don't know how many of you get the Erin Hunter Author Tracker (I know some of you do), but in her latest one she gave her Top Five Tips for Writing! So here they are!
1. READ! Read anything and everything, from newspapers and the backs of cereal boxes, to sci-fi novels and manga (starting with Warriors manga, of course!). Reading is by far the best way to experience all different types of writing—and discover what goes into the sort of writing that makes you want to stay up all night!
2. WRITE! Sounds obvious, I know, but if you think of your imagination as a sort of muscle, then it needs exercise to become even stronger. If you don’t think you’re the sort of person who’d enjoy writing a loooong novel, why not try an article for your school newspaper or website—anything from covering a sports event to a movie review would be a great way to put your creativity to good use.
3. DON’T GIVE UP. . . People often say that the Erins must have the best job in the world because we get to stay home all day and tap out stories about feral cats on our keyboards. But writing is a job like any other, which means it can be difficult, lonely, and even boring. When it feels as if you’ve been staring at a blank page or screen for hours on end, don’t let yourself think for one moment that you’ll never be able to write. The mantra that I say to myself when I get truly stuck is Don’t get it right; get it WRITTEN! Stop trying to find the perfect word or phrase, and just write down roughly whatever it is you’re trying to say. Nine times out of ten, when you read it back later you’ll realize you got it right first time!
4. BUT ALSO, KNOW WHEN TO STOP! If you’ve been stuck for so long that you feel as if you’re trapped in an elevator with all your characters and you don’t know what to say to any of them, then take a break. Sometimes something as simple as sending an e-mail or writing a shopping list can kickstart the imagination so the words start to flow again; other times, try getting away from your keyboard or page altogether and go for a walk (my walks usually take me as far as the cookie jar and back again!). It’s also important to remember that even the most dedicated writers take time out to eat, sleep, and spend time with friends and family. We’d be pretty dull people if we didn’t!
5. ENJOY! Writing is a gift, not in being a special talent that only some people possess, but because anyone can do it, at any time, and on any topic they like. That’s my kind of gift! (Almost as good as chocolate. . . ) Treasure every chance you get to put words down, and relish the freedom you have to say whatever you want. Unless you really, really have to, like for a school assignment, don’t get hung up on deadlines or publication or even finishing your project. All those things can come later, when you’re a successful author.
For now, just soar like an eagle, run like a leopard and plunge like a dolphin through skies and forests and oceans of wonderful worlds. Come on in, the water’s lovely!
1. READ! Read anything and everything, from newspapers and the backs of cereal boxes, to sci-fi novels and manga (starting with Warriors manga, of course!). Reading is by far the best way to experience all different types of writing—and discover what goes into the sort of writing that makes you want to stay up all night!
2. WRITE! Sounds obvious, I know, but if you think of your imagination as a sort of muscle, then it needs exercise to become even stronger. If you don’t think you’re the sort of person who’d enjoy writing a loooong novel, why not try an article for your school newspaper or website—anything from covering a sports event to a movie review would be a great way to put your creativity to good use.
3. DON’T GIVE UP. . . People often say that the Erins must have the best job in the world because we get to stay home all day and tap out stories about feral cats on our keyboards. But writing is a job like any other, which means it can be difficult, lonely, and even boring. When it feels as if you’ve been staring at a blank page or screen for hours on end, don’t let yourself think for one moment that you’ll never be able to write. The mantra that I say to myself when I get truly stuck is Don’t get it right; get it WRITTEN! Stop trying to find the perfect word or phrase, and just write down roughly whatever it is you’re trying to say. Nine times out of ten, when you read it back later you’ll realize you got it right first time!
4. BUT ALSO, KNOW WHEN TO STOP! If you’ve been stuck for so long that you feel as if you’re trapped in an elevator with all your characters and you don’t know what to say to any of them, then take a break. Sometimes something as simple as sending an e-mail or writing a shopping list can kickstart the imagination so the words start to flow again; other times, try getting away from your keyboard or page altogether and go for a walk (my walks usually take me as far as the cookie jar and back again!). It’s also important to remember that even the most dedicated writers take time out to eat, sleep, and spend time with friends and family. We’d be pretty dull people if we didn’t!
5. ENJOY! Writing is a gift, not in being a special talent that only some people possess, but because anyone can do it, at any time, and on any topic they like. That’s my kind of gift! (Almost as good as chocolate. . . ) Treasure every chance you get to put words down, and relish the freedom you have to say whatever you want. Unless you really, really have to, like for a school assignment, don’t get hung up on deadlines or publication or even finishing your project. All those things can come later, when you’re a successful author.
For now, just soar like an eagle, run like a leopard and plunge like a dolphin through skies and forests and oceans of wonderful worlds. Come on in, the water’s lovely!
Lionstar!
