Jassy Melson
08-26-2012, 04:57 PM
I can't count the number of times that someone has either said to me or written to me: “I want to be a writer. I'm trying to write a story. Please help me.”
I've decided to write this little treatise in hopes that it will help the beginning writer (and reduce the number of pleas I receive from would-be beginning writers).
First of all, if you want to be a writer, or you're starting your first story, the dictionary is your best friend. Also, find a good book on basic grammar.
Secondly, have something to say in your story; something that you think would be of interest to the reader.
Next, decide who your audience is. Decide who you are writing to or for. You don't want to direct your erotic story to a national Geographic-type readership.
Next, follow the classic format of a beginning or introduction, a middle or body, and a conclusion. Don't have your story go all over the place and not have a satisfactory conclusion. Impose order on your story.
Show, don't tell. This is an old warning, but it's still true. Whenever possible, instead of just telling the reader what is happening in the story, show him or her what is happening. For instance, in the description of a character, don't halt the story to simply describe a character. There are a number of ways to do this. You can do it by the impression a character makes on another character; you can do it by a character observing him or herself in a mirror. Include the description as part of the story; don't halt the story as you describe a character. Try to express or show instead of merely relating.
Use language that is appropriate for the time of the story. If the story takes place in the present time, use language that is modern and ordinary. Don't use stilted language. When dialogue is used, have the characters talk in ordinary everyday language—unless the story takes place in another time.
If possible, have a proofreader read your story before posting or submitting it. Run your story through a spell-and/or-grammar-checker.
Don't expect to receive overwhelming praise or utter condemnation for your story when you post or submit it. There are hundreds of thousands of writers and millions of short stories that have been written. If you are a beginning writer, chances are your story will not be all that good. But the committed writer will go on from his or her failures and will continue to write and learn. William Faulkner's fourth novel “The Sound and the Fury” was turned down by something like a dozen publishers before it was published. But he preservered, because he believed in himself, and he believed that he had something to say and write that was of value.
Read! Read as many stories and poems and non-fiction and novels as you can. As you read, mark down what you see as a good thing to do or is a good effect; at the same time mark down what you see is bad and something to avoid in your writing.
I hope this little article will help the beginning writer. It took me about twenty years to write a satisfactory story—one that I felt was worthy enough to be submitted and published. So keep writing, keep reading, and keep in mind that patience and observation are two of the best qualities a writer can have.
I've decided to write this little treatise in hopes that it will help the beginning writer (and reduce the number of pleas I receive from would-be beginning writers).
First of all, if you want to be a writer, or you're starting your first story, the dictionary is your best friend. Also, find a good book on basic grammar.
Secondly, have something to say in your story; something that you think would be of interest to the reader.
Next, decide who your audience is. Decide who you are writing to or for. You don't want to direct your erotic story to a national Geographic-type readership.
Next, follow the classic format of a beginning or introduction, a middle or body, and a conclusion. Don't have your story go all over the place and not have a satisfactory conclusion. Impose order on your story.
Show, don't tell. This is an old warning, but it's still true. Whenever possible, instead of just telling the reader what is happening in the story, show him or her what is happening. For instance, in the description of a character, don't halt the story to simply describe a character. There are a number of ways to do this. You can do it by the impression a character makes on another character; you can do it by a character observing him or herself in a mirror. Include the description as part of the story; don't halt the story as you describe a character. Try to express or show instead of merely relating.
Use language that is appropriate for the time of the story. If the story takes place in the present time, use language that is modern and ordinary. Don't use stilted language. When dialogue is used, have the characters talk in ordinary everyday language—unless the story takes place in another time.
If possible, have a proofreader read your story before posting or submitting it. Run your story through a spell-and/or-grammar-checker.
Don't expect to receive overwhelming praise or utter condemnation for your story when you post or submit it. There are hundreds of thousands of writers and millions of short stories that have been written. If you are a beginning writer, chances are your story will not be all that good. But the committed writer will go on from his or her failures and will continue to write and learn. William Faulkner's fourth novel “The Sound and the Fury” was turned down by something like a dozen publishers before it was published. But he preservered, because he believed in himself, and he believed that he had something to say and write that was of value.
Read! Read as many stories and poems and non-fiction and novels as you can. As you read, mark down what you see as a good thing to do or is a good effect; at the same time mark down what you see is bad and something to avoid in your writing.
I hope this little article will help the beginning writer. It took me about twenty years to write a satisfactory story—one that I felt was worthy enough to be submitted and published. So keep writing, keep reading, and keep in mind that patience and observation are two of the best qualities a writer can have.