Tips to become a better writer? Writing exercises?

Question

I really want to be an author when I get older. (I'm 17 now.) I write quite a bit, but i want to get better. I was wondering what tips you can give me (other than write a lot lol) and maybe some sample writing exercises? In my english class last year, my teacher (also an author!) would always give me tips and support and compliment my writing, but my teacher this year isn't that focused on writing and doesn't even give assignments that make you think a lot, you know what i mean? Anyways, do you have any tips or exercises that could help me improve my writing skill?

Answer 1

Quit watching television. Staring at an electronic appliance is not inspiring, regardless of what others think or say.

Read good books. Forgo the genre fiction and read classics, literature, plays and poetry. Indulge in a wide variety.

Listen to audiobooks.

Listen to and read author interviews.

Carry a notebook everywhere. This is not just for ideas, but whenever you have time, take it out and write a description of everything around you. Watch people and speculate about them and write that too.

If you can manage it, write every day. In addition to any project, free-journal. Write out your feelings, fears and beliefs.

To me, the most important thing for a writer is to know who they are. To be able to produce anything good, you must be able to put your identity into your work.

Most of all believe what you write.

Answer 2

I do agree with the first guy. What type of writer are you? where do you get your inspiration from? What makes you hooked in a book? I suggest that you read a single book and try to guess what was going through the authors mind when they were writing. If you want ways to get inspiration, i suggest you take a closer look at your surroundings. If you look at something from a distance (not blank) your mind will create a picture that only you might be able to see. Go for a walk and let your mind wander. If you let your mind soak in everything going on around you and you let the things in your mind fuzz out, a unique story will be born. Listen to your favorite music and think about a scenario to fit that music and before you know a story will start forming together. This is what i do, and my ideas are always raging. Thing is i do all these all the time some my ideas interlace and create an awesome monstrosity.

Answer 3

I'm in the exact same position (being 17 and an aspiring writer). This is kind of an obvious tip but it needs to be given, read a lot and read everything. You learn a lot from what you read that this will help you in your writing. You'll start to notice things like word choice and tone and come to realize their importance.



This Exercycle was given to me by a publisher friend of mine: Wake up before the sun comes up, watch it rise, and write about it. Put this piece of writing in a drawer and don't look at it for a week. At the end of the week watch the sun rise again, DO NOT WRITE ABOUT IT AGAIN. Read the piece of writing that you had written the week before. If you still like it this means that you have found your voice as a writer and a tone that you like.



Do ten minute prep writing. Before you write anything write first for ten minutes. You would write the same word over and over again, just write something, get your brain going.



Set a stop watch for 10 seconds. Every time it goes off you have those ten seconds to write a memory of your life. It can be anything. When the ten seconds are up you have to switch to a different memory. Do this about 25 times.



Write character files. This is an invention of my own (though I know a lot of other people who do things similar to this). Make a character from square one. Start with the easy stuff such as description. Then write out their back story, linage. Later when you want to use the character you'll have really convincing dialog to work with.

Answer 4

The thing is, writing a lot IS the key to becoming a better writer. Fiction writing and 'school' writing are too completely different ballparks. Create two interesting characters at odds with one another, give them something they both want but for different reasons, and write a story where one of them achieves it. The basic setup for all stories.

Answer 5

With anything you need practice to get better..including writing.

You should also read a lot. It helps you learn the different ways words can flow.

Practice your grammar and make sure your spelling is up to par. No matter how cool a story is, bad spelling and grammar will ruin it.

Keep a notebook with you at all times. When you get inspired, maybe a dialogue or scene or cool random words pop into your head, write them down right away.

Answer 6

The most basic tip I can give you is to read more and write more.

Ask yourself what kind of writer do you want to be? A Fantasy? A crime? A Romance writer etc... ? If you want to be a crime writer for instance, then read as much crime/ detective novels as you can to get a feel for what this kind of genre encapsulates.



Aside from writing and reading more, ask others for feedback on your writing. After all, you learn best from mistakes.

Answer 7

Sometimes when I'm trying to get rid of writer's block, I set my timer for one minute and just write whatever pops into my head. It seems to help me.