Hi there.

[Squalliam]

I am new to this site and writing in general. Writing is something I have been taking an interest in lately, but I am having a hard time making a good story. Any tips?

[Bowie20049]

How bout name, age, and genre preference. It helps us help you.

[Squalliam]

Heh true. Well my name is Dennis, I am 15, and I am interested in writing fantasy and generally non-realistic stories.

[jcsk88]

We're on a roll lately! Good newb!

Welcome to the site, Dennis. You may be new to writing, but at least you write coherently. You capitalise, you punctuate, and you don't use chatspeak - that's a good start already! As for how to write a good story, I don't think any of us have an absolute answer to that question, but we're all here to help each other get there. I suppose reading widely helps, and there are several threads on this site that give very useful advice, so feel free to check them all out. From one fantasy writer to another, I'm looking forward to see some of your work. Enjoy your stay!

[Simmi]

Hi, hello, this is Simmi. Welcome to YWO.

What genre do you like to read?

As for your question, you'll just have to write long enough to find your style of writing then use it to the best of your ability.

(Or something like that...)

[miss_smiley]

Hi there! ^^

Welcome to YWO.
And thank you! Thank you for using proper grammar and spelling. I could hug you. Honestly.

As for tips on writing - well, we're all here to help one another on that road and give our honest (sometimes brutal, although we try to keep that to a minimum and the constructive criticism to a maximum) opinion on techniques to improve and areas to tighten. ^^

What kind of thing were you meaning for advice on writing, anyhow? I'm curious...
Depending on what it is, different people will be better to beg on bended knee. We all have rather different strengths, see?
I'm best put to use in characterisation and grammar, I think (I'm pretty sure that's right, isn't it, guys?), but when it comes to plot, you're better off sounding off Iridescence or Jerry. At least, they're the ones that I turn to when it comes to that. ^^ And I know people sound off me in return (Bowie, for instance).

Of course, everyone's different, so I think the best advice I can give you is to post something up, see who gives the best critique and sound off them. Meanwhile, make sure you complete useful critiques on other people's work to build your own eye for editing and style. ^^

(Now someone tell me - was that a whole pile of useless garbage, or did I actually hit it, mostly? I've been starting to wonder at the non-stop spout of babble that pours forth from me at increasingly regular intervals... sometimes it's useful... other times, not so much...)


Anyhows! See you around the site, dude!

Much grinnage!
Miss Smiley ^_*

[Majyk]

We really are on a roll of good newbies! So refreshing after that last bunch.

As Jcsk said, no one will be able to tell you how to write a good story, but we can give you tips and help you along the way. One thing that is bound to help eventually is practicing. The more you write, the better you get, so just write as much as you can.

This (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/forumdisplay.php?f=5) section of the site is good for tips and if you have writing questions. Either look at old threads and see if your question was already answered, or post a new one.

Welcome to the site!

[thecollector]

Hey, welcome to YWO. PM/VM me for crits.

[Squalliam]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Basically, I like reading the same genres that I am interested in writing. As for some areas I need help in, I would say in being creative and not making my stories too repetitive or cliche. I'd like to make original work.

[miss_smiley]

Hmm... Originality is a problem we all face. 'Fraid I can't help you on that one. Sorry, dude.

[jcsk88]

I think we all agree that nothing's not cliche to some degree anymore. I think I wrote this somewhere on the site, but I'll say it here anyway. I believe it's the delivery of the story that determines whether or not it sounds cliche. Take something overdone and tell it in a refreshing way and you'll get a whole new product that might even be better than the original. As Smiley said, put something up for us to rip to shreds. That's the best way to learn. ;)