Can anyone teach me how to be an expert writer?

[DarkPriestess]

I know this sounds stupid but I write fanfics and when I read Ruby's or someone who on an advance level I feel so minor and inferior to them. Maybe Ruby or someone with good writing skills...um, can you help me improve my talents? Please! I want to be a writer when I'm older and I want to intruge others, not bore them.

[Chibi-Kouga]

Get a good idea, and just let it flow....................... don't pay attention to english teachers unmtil aftrer you finidsh it, then go back and edit it so it works..................that's all I got.................

[Tamashii_No_Miko]

Listen, DarkPriestess, I'm not a good writer either and with my up-coming Songfic of Sess/Kik I feel that it won't be good enough....But one, What a writer Must always have is; Will Power! Never give up! Give it your all!! Like what Chibi Kouga said "Don't listen to english teachers." Don't listen to others that say things like "Your not trying enough!" or "Try again." Anything like that; DON'T LISTEN!! Listen to what You want! Two, is...when you write, don't think about the structure or how long it may be...just let all your thoughts flow...let them run through your mind and it will sort out just the way you want it, once you start writing.

Like right now...while I'm writing this, I'm picking out the right words and the right things to say to you right now, because not all great writers start by waking up in the mornin' and say; "Yatta!! I got it!! I have the whole story in my head!" They take it bit by bit and that's how you should do it...Three, like what's said above never let someone stop you from whatever you dream of...not even flamers! "Take the Risk, Take the Chance. Be Brave to do-Be Brave-Be You!!"

Four, make sure to always do 150% on your work, because what you do with your writing reflects on who and what you are...also if you DO recieve flames (Which will happen...It always does) that shouldn't stop you!! It didn't stop Ruby-chan, me, nor any other person!! "Be Honest, Accept Flames and Criticism; And turn it to your adventure."

And last but not least...remember to Believe in yourself!! No one can but you..."You must first believe in yourself...before believing in others..." That is the most important key in writing...or anything for that matter...never give up DarkPriestess-dono...Because I know you will go far with your writing!! We all know you can!! Don't belittle yourself okay? Give it your all!! Because God knows you can too, and that's your most strongest aide...Well, sorry if I wrote to long...like I said I write what I think now...not later...but anyway Ja ne!! I know you can do it!!! -^_^x-

[anna]

before you post a fic, you might want to organize all your thoughts on a paper..you know...like a rough draft
that way,when you get to the computer,you can immediatly just post it all down
instead of trying to organize it there

[Sadi]

Edit: You psycho. I've seen your rp'ing now. You don't need tips XD... But this took too long to type, so it's staying right here... <_<...


Well... It took me a good two years before I was actually writing at a proficient calibur to where people were suitably impressed with my works (and I was satisfied). When I started writing in the sixth grade, I was really, really bad. And I mean really. But even though I was so really bad, writing was something I enjoyed. So I kept doing it. And the more I wrote, the better my stuff became.

I actually disagree with Chibi Kouga on the English teacher subject. Although it is indeed wonderful to maintain your own set of beliefs and style when it comes to writing, you can learn so many valuable things that it is definitely advisable to buckle down in English class. Your teacher can offer you so much critical feedback. If you're comfortable enough with them, you could perhaps even turn in an original work/fanfiction with the request that they look over it when they have the time and critique you. If they're any kind of good teacher, they'll readily agree.

Anna had an excellent suggestion in its own right. However, her suggestion is really dependent on your own style and what you are most comfortable with. Ocasionally, there are times when I truly do need to plot something out (mostly so I remember it all). And I do write essays best on paper. But for fictional writing, I rarely even attempt to produce something with traditional media. In fact, I truly believe that writing comes easier to me when using a word processor. I do not understand why, it just does. Also, I am fond of the "write as ideas come to you" style, rather than carving everything in stone from the get-go, because I find it refreshing to be able to include new ideas on a whim rather than having to spend an eternity revising my notes. But as I said, this is pretty much entirely dependent on personal style and what you as a writer are most comfortable with.

I am a vocabulary fiend. My vocabulary has always been impressive for my age, even when I sucked at writing. When I was little, all my writing sounded retarded because my vocabulary was so high and yet I hadn't developed my own voice yet. As such, while I don't particularly enjoy vocabulary assignments at school, I do enjoy getting the chance to learn new words. If a particular word catches my eye, I will write it down and make a conscious effort to include it in an upcoming chapter in one of my fics.

The thesaurus is a big friend. If you read my writings, you'd probably think the thesaurus was my only friend. But there is a difference between having a good vocabulary and "thesaurus humping" as I like to call it. Anyway, you will find yourself using a thesaurus very often in the beginning, and as you grow as a writer, very little. This is because the more you use a word, the quicker it becomes incorporated into your actual vocabulary, making its inclusion in your story all the more natural-sounding, which prevents it sounding like you just threw in random big words every other word just because it made your writing sound impressive (a.k.a. the aforementioned thesaurus humping).

Another thing I would suggest, especially if you can't get your teacher to take a look at your stuff/are not comfortable asking them, would be to get a Beta. Whether this is a close friend you trust to be truthful or someone you 'employed' off the internet, you can easily (and fairly quickly, depending on their work ethics and the length of the piece you submitted for evaluation) get the blunt and honest critique you need. Getting someone who is constantly "good job, keep up the good work!" may boost your ego, but it will not help you out in the long run.

If the actual writing mechanics are getting you down (i.e. punctuation, grammar, ect.) ask your teacher if they have some extra worksheets you can take home and practice with. It'll be worth it in the end. Then you won't have a nitpicky Beta like me, who obsesses madly over improper usage of commas or the like.

Anyway. I'm sure there's so much more information I could unload on you right now, but this should suffice for the moment. If you would ever like me to expand on my advice, just say the word. As I'm sure you noticed, I'm quite long-winded, and writing is my passion, so I'll be pleased to help you in any other way I can.

Remember that practice makes perfect--honestly; it's not just some annoying saying you've heard a million times for nothing.

If you need any further convincing on the matter, follow the link below and scroll down to the bottom of my author's profile, read a few chapters of "Vagabond" and then go back and read "My Goddess" and anything else that catches your eye in-between. "Vagabond" was certainly not the first piece of fanfiction I've ever written, but it was the first I ever posted, and therefore the first thing I ever felt worthy of other people laying eyes on. However, if you compare it with something like "My Goddess" it is a smoldering piece of crap, to put it bluntly. Oh, and yes: if you'd like an example of 'thesaurus humping' simply check out the first chapter of my Sesshoumaru/Kikyou fic, "A Midsummer Night's Dream"--it was an experiment; the rest of the fic, while chock-full of high-level vocabulary, is nowhere near as grandoise in its wording.

www.fanfiction.net/~sadisticshadow

[ChibiKikyou]

No doubt about it, everyone's at a different level...I write what i feel and I don't care what people think, even if what I write is inferior to others. I don't think anyone can actually show you how to be a better writer then yourself.

[Sadi]

So very true. You can tell them how to go about improving, but in the end, only they can do it.

[Tamashii_No_Miko]

Absolutely true. Both what Chibi Kouga and Sadi are right. No, matter what anyone says to you, no matter what they show you in how to write, you and only you can be able to actually do it. You don't have to listen to me or anyone else for that matter as long as you listen to yourself and believe in yourself that will get you far... "Only you can save yourself..." as they say, so when it comes to writing only you can do it!

[ChibiKikyou]

yeah, Exactly, Sadi.
People can teach you how to write but it's only you who can actually but the teachings into act really.

[Chibi-Kouga]

I still stand by my "just let it flow" suggestion........................

[DarkPriestess]

lol, you're all making me seem like I suck...heh. Thanks for all the positive impacts you guys have given me. Though, I refuse to revile my fanfic stories or my fanfiction username. I've never been framed but my writing is well written but heck, when I read other author's works, I'm like "Darn, why can't I be like that?" or "Why can't I have tons of fans?" I know I sound arrogant but I can't help it. I want to become an advance writer or at least, something legendary.

[DarkPriestess]

Wow, I'm impressed, sad. I've been in your site multiple times and I just want to say that for you to PLEASE UPDATE! I beg of you!

-I'll just memorize the dictionary. I've tried that once and it helped. Also, thank you for the theseus idea. I'll keep that in mind. Oh and also, when I feel I'm ready, I'll post a fanfic for you guys to read. ^_^

[Meiling]

Although I'm not a very impressive writer myself, my advice to you is first, read some stories written by some good authors. You could go to fanfiction.net and see if you can find some authors that seem talented in that area to you. You could read some of their works and kind of take their style of writing as an exapmle so you can learn how to improve in the way you write. ( I don't mean for you to plagiarize or to be a copy cat, just take their stories as an example on how to be more descriptive and other areas you are lacking in ) After that, you could start writing and practicing or start making rough drafts as Anna has advised you. After all, practice makes perfect! I could tell you some more advice, but I would recommend you to read Sadi's post, since it seems efficient in the info and also because she's quite talented in writing herself. Oh, also keep in mind to try your best!!!

[Katana]

I agree with everyone's posts, particularly Meiling's last one and Joe's "Let it flow". I'm a crappy writer, actually, but I may be able to give some tips that have helped me improve over the past couple years: Keep your eyes peeled for inspiration. Writers can often find it in the strangest places. Also, you do need to know your language arts; readers get distracted by typos and bad grammar.

As for elaborating on Joe's comment, people usually write best when the subject is desirable to them. Some people may flame or criticize you for contradicting what they want, but keep in mind these things: a) This is YOUR story that you're writing. If they want something to happen their way, then they can take the time to write their on fic. b) You can't please everyone. There will always be someone who likes your work and someone who hates it. Even if you do bend to the will of a reader, you'll piss off another one who didn't want the change. c) It's good to write what you feel like writing. When one writes to please fans, it usually ends up resembling another fic. However, if you ask me, the most original fanfics are the best...Even if I don't agree with all of the author's views. If you write what YOU want to write, then your story will most likely be an excellent one.

Oh yes, and one last thing: Don't ever ask for no flames. You see, there are some who seriously hunt around writing (and sometimes art) websites for the sole purpose of flaming authors with whom they disagree. If you request no flaming, they'll jump at what they'd consider a perfect chance. I know this from experience...

Anyway, I'm sorry if I accidentally repeated what others already said, and I hope that something that I said was of some use. ^^

[ChibiKikyou]

yeah, go to FanFiction.net and look into some great writers. I ahve an account there, check it out some time: keiosu-ichuu-atto is my S/N. ^^ Not sure just look into it if you want. Besides...think about it...not every author in the world is the greatest...