Getting Started
Before putting pen to paper, there are a number of ways to get your creative juices flowing.
- Find inspiration: This can be found in other books, movies, artwork, or even the world around you. Whatever you find interesting or exciting, jot it down and keep repeating the process. Eventually, you will start forming an idea of what you want to write about!
- Write constantly: Even if it's only for five minutes a day, writing constantly will keep bringing you back into that writer headspace. Over time, your writing will improve and you will gain a better understanding of what exactly you are writing about.
- Don't be hard on yourself: Writing is a trial-by-error process, and it comes with a lot of hurdles and barriers. Don't feel discouraged if your work is not up to other's or your own standards. Take a breath, get a trusted opinion from someone, and return to the drawing board.
Common Mistakes
There are a lot of mistakes that beginner writers face when starting out. Here is a list of the most common ones:
- No clear plot
- No stakes
- Characters lack depth
- Point of view is confusing
- Editing too early into the process
Glossary
Below are some terms that you will become familar with as you continue writing.
The main character in a work of fiction who comes into conflict with the protagonist (hero or heroine)
The method used by a writer to make a character in a story seem like a real person
The choice of words, especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness, in a literary work
Often shows itself as some type of miscommunication, and occurs when the reader becomes aware of something important of which the characters in the story are not aware
Refers to the first stage of a plot, in which necessary background information is provided
A character in a story whose purpose is to bring out certain characteristics in either the main character or in other characters
To give a suggestion of something that will happen in the story
The reoccurring aspect (object, issue) in a story; can also be two binary elements in a piece of writing (e.g., bad versus good)
A collection of events featured in a story that are placed in a certain order and recounted to tell a story
Want to learn more? Check out the Writer's Digest website.