Newbie Advice, by Everyone

[Andy]

Here's another guide by everyone!

:writing:

If someone is just starting to write as a hobby, which one piece of advice do you want to give them, from your experience? (Try to keep it short, and only post once)

[Shaun]

Study the craft as much as you write it. You can't be a good writer if you don't read. So read a lot of stuff. Doing so can teach you style, grammar, punctuation, etc.

Of course, one thing you should be good at is spelling and grammar. If you haven't learned that you need to.

[jordanisonfire]

Write everyday. If it's just five minutes, it's still good. The best way to get into it is to do a lot of it in a short space of time. It doesn't matter what you write, or even if it's good (it's good if you try your best at it, though). That's the best way to get into it. Get into it, then look at the bigger stuff on what your pieces need. Then, when you think you've got it, post it on here, and we'll crit it for you. :)

[GeorgeMichael]

Keep a small notepad with a pen by your bed at night, sometimes you can wake up with the greatest idea ever and it goes away in like a minute. Luck favors the prepared. Also, there is no such thing as a bad idea, never scrap something, keep it in a folder or something because alone it might seem horrible but it could turn out to be really useful in a different story that you write much much later.

[Nyx]

Observe everything really carefully, I know it sounds cliche but anything can turn into a good idea. Remember to use your imagination and try to put your creativity to work. When you get an extremely great idea start writing and don't stop, at this stage don't worry about grammar and spelling get the idea down before it's gone and then you can do the editing later on.:D

[Zaphkiel]

Alright, here's a scenario: Your on a role with you writing and nothing seems to be able to stop you. Your characters are playing there roles well, the plot is going smoothly, and your attitude is "A" okay!! WAIT...one of your characters made an action that directs the story in a new, but better manner. However, you reached something we like to call the "Writers Block". This is when you can't continue your writing because you have no more ideas at the moment...basically, your stuck in quicksand and have lost your rthym. The best way to solve this problem is to STOP typing, go outside, and take a nice walk to clear your thoughts. Trust me, after this, you will feel much better and will probably have built yourself a railroad track in order to finish your work.

[Tncowgirl]

Write down all your ideas, you may never do anything with them, but they also might turn into something big. Keep a notepad in your car, house, backpack, etc. cause you never know when a great idea is going to hit you and you don't want to lose it. I even know someone that carries a voice recorder and uses that. If you don't have one a cell phone always does the trick if you can't get paper. But also just let it flow. Your first draft doesn't have to be perfect, when you go through and read it always keep an open mind to change it around and make it sound better. If you type it up be ready to add more and don't be afraid to. If while your reading something sounds good then go for it. Oh and let others read it and tell you what they think about it. Have people who wont crit it too read it so that you get a reader's point of view instead of a grammer/english point of view. That always helps. too :D.