Thursday, February 21, 2008

To Become A Writer...

Well, we had another meeting of The Writer's Guild on Tuesday, and had quite an interesting time editing a children's story that my friend is writing...but that is a tale for another day.
While in our meeting, we also discussed a few tips about writing in general. Here they are...

TO BECOME A WRITER:
1. Think of yourself as a writer--this one is first and foremost.
2. Write what you are passionate about! It will turn out much better when you write about that which you love.
3. Study--this one is self explanatory.
4. Practice! Write every day!!--Look, I know it's hard, but TRY! Take a few minutes out of your day and write anything, everything, whatever's on your mind!
5. Write at a regular place and at a regular time each day--whenever and wherever you feel most comfortable. For me, this is late at night up in the loft at my mom's house. When and where is your very favorite place to write?(that is, if you're a writer...)
6. Set a deadline for yourself--I tried to do this with the book I'm writing...I gave myself a year, beginning on my thirteenth birthday and ending on my fourteenth. Guess what? My fourteenth birthday is in about three weeks, and sadly...I won't be meeting my deadline. My lesson in telling you all that random stuff about it? Don't rush yourself too much! Be reasonable in setting your deadline.
7. Last but not least--Pick your subject and your audience...in other words, pick what you're writing about and who you're writing for.

Well, I hope those tips help the writers who see this...I know there are at least a few!
In other news, Kailani (sp?) has joined the Young Christian Force! Welcome, friend!!!
God go with you all,
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

8 comments:

Araken said...

Thank you sooooooo much for the tips, I can really use these! So what exactly is the Writer's Guild?

Ian said...

I'm a writer, too, and those tips are helpful....my biggest problem is, sometimes I go for a week without writing anything, because I am too busy or just can't think of what to write...*sigh*

~Just*Flinn~ said...

Hurray for kailani! (I think that's how you spell it) Great writing tips! I believe my favorite time to write is just before I go to bed and I'm not thinking about anything.

Camden said...

I think that writing tips daily (week-daily) has made me a better writer. That reminds me, I need to make a tip!!!

~Elliot

Sapphira Adi said...

Hey Shelby Marie! I like the tips. What exactly is the writer's guild? These tips should really help me. I had a dream last ngiht about a girl and her story. I knew what to write, what she looks like, how many books in the series, and that this story was meant to be told. I'm really excited about it. I've been working really hard on it. Is 4,500 words in the past three days good? I think it is but I'm not sure. What do you think. Yes, I'm on a sugar rush. Great tips!

Sapphiora Adi

Shelby Marie said...

Hey guys! Glad you enjoy my long lists of writing tips...I'll keep it up!
Well, The Writer's Guild is a group of six writers from my school(including myself). We meet every Tuesday and we:
(A)Just spend time writing,
(B)Pick a topic(such as writer's block, character building, etc.) and discuss it...which is where I get all the cool tips,
Or (C)Focus on one member's work and help them edit it or give them suggestions.
That's our little guild! I love it...
Anyway, Sapphira, hearing about your dream makes me really excited! I can't wait to see what kind of story unfolds from it!
Write On!!!
Shelby Marie

Anonymous said...

Thanks SOO much for the tips! I will remember them! I am sorta, kinda writing a book, maybe two. I gave myself a deadline too, but didn't meet it.. sadly. I was twelve when I started it, and now I am almost 14 and a half... very sad..
My usual writing time is in the later evening to late night to early morning.. =) I am just SOO active and full of ideas at night that I HAVE to write! My mom isn't pleased, but I know I'm not the only one who gets a good idea, and grabs a notebook and pencil or else their computer at one in the morning because of a sudden awsome idea!

Flinn-thanks for the welcome! Yes, that's how you spell it! You can call me Kaili though, it is what everyone calls me, although Kailani is my real name. (Kaili is pronounced like Ky-lee)

God Bless!

Shane Deal said...

Thanks for the tips. I have one in return however.

Always be thinking of things to write, even when you're not sitting down to do the actual writing, keep your eyes open for new ideas. Being a writer is a FULL time job. :-D

I don't set deadlines so much as word-count goals. Though I'd be happy if I can finish my current story sometime within the next three years. I should be able to, I've written the first 65% of it in the last two years.