What can I write a book about? How not to get lost in the plot? Do I need to wait for inspiration to create a truly masterpiece? Almost all young writers are tormented by such questions. Tips for a novice writer, collected in this article, will answer them, cheer and help cope with the difficulties that await authors at different stages of their creative life.
8 secrets of writing skills
Read a lot
To learn to write good books, you need to read as much as possible. It is never too late to get acquainted with the world classics, to penetrate into the literary process. Reading different literature, it will become clear to which genres, trends, the authors “pull” more, and which ones are generally neutral.
Do not neglect the modern wave of the reader's mainstream. What do people read in the subway? What product is more talked about in social networks? It is important to understand what the modern public wants, what are the literary trends, but not to be tempted to borrow the style of a popular author.
Do not wait for inspiration
There is an opinion that it is necessary to write books only when the muse comes. This is bad advice for beginning writers. And what if the muse does not come at all, or comes, but the author will not wait? Maybe we should make a little effort?
You need to take writing as a job, not a hobby. Surgeons do not expect a special wave to begin the operation, the actors take the stage even with the temperature.
Accordingly, having allocated several hours a day for work, it is worth spending them on writing the text. No matter what - bad, free, detached from the topic. Soon the habit of writing, perseverance, the need for privacy.
It must be remembered that:
- 50 words is a paragraph.
- Another 350 is a page.
- 300 of these pages are a novel.
- Writing every day is a habit.
- Redoing weaknesses is an improvement.
- Letting someone read what is written is feedback.
- You can not be upset when publishers refuse. This is writing.
Create an idea bank
Beginning authors are concerned about the question of what to write a work. All tips for a novice writer are associated with it. To close its races and forever, you can create a bank of your own ideas. You need to replenish it every day, recording 5 any ideas in the archive. Writing down everything that comes to mind or hooks: a scene seen in a supermarket, a ridiculous case, a ridiculous story. Over time, the bank that stores the themes will seem like a real well of unique ideas. It remains logical to link the brightest together.
Make a mental map
Even authors with experience use this thing. The map is a small diagram, in the center of which is the main idea of the work.
From it are drawn branches in different directions. Each of them is an association leading to the main idea. The diagram should be branched out until the picture is complete.
There are many free programs on the Internet, with the help of which even a beginner can create mental maps.
If, at the time of writing, it appears that there is a dead end ahead, the map will become a beacon indicating the traveler in which direction to proceed.
Search for impressions
Many tips to beginner writers, who give experienced authors, come down to the recommendation to live brightly. What does it mean? Fill the days with live communication with different people, travel more, try new things. Then the created images will become harmonious, and the descriptions of the landscape will be deeper.
All writers need emotions, impressions, events. For example, young fantasy Max Kidruk sits down to write his technotrillers after traveling to different parts of the planet. As he himself admits, the more extreme the trip, the brighter it will turn out to write an episode.
Be ready for obstacles
Unfortunately, creative crises are not a myth, they really happen. Sooner or later everyone meets with them, but you should not be afraid of them, since, having survived a turning point, we are entering a new, higher stage.
In addition to fighting with oneself, one should be prepared for the fact that others may not understand the main idea or criticize the image. Nobody could please everyone, then why try?
Take a course writers
Courses, workshops, trainings are fashionable and useful ways to improve your professional level. The most important thing is that they are effective. If, due to employment, there is no opportunity to attend an audience or in the city such classes are not yet open, an online course can be found on the Internet.
Communication with like-minded people and the opportunity to get practical advice for beginner writers are worth a lot.
Trust yourself
Not always the schemes that helped others work for us. Then do they need to obey unconditionally? The answer is no. Tips for beginning writers and tips for everyone to decide whether to follow them or not.
Opening a blank sheet, the author must first obey his heart, not the teacher's voice. Trust yourself, not a textbook with literary theory. Almost all famous personalities were innovators. Once they decided to just be themselves and were not mistaken.
Tips for novice writers from famous authors
- Screenwriter Etgar Keret recommends starting to write the text from the middle. In his opinion, the middle is the most catchy and interesting part of the story. From it you can develop the plot in both directions, as well as to avoid the "extra paragraphs" that have to be deleted if you write first.
- Stephen King, the author of many bestsellers advises to imagine the ideal reader and write for him. You will not please everyone, and the golden mean is never remembered. You can start with a new email - fill in the "To" column and write a few lines.
- American writer William Faulknerbecoming a Nobel Prize winner at 52, he discovered several of his secrets of success. He argued that you should not be a writer, you just need to write. This process enlivens, becomes life itself. Faulkner believed that anyone who could read could be a writer. He also warned against writing for money. After all, where business begins, creativity ends.
- Young but already famous writer Vyacheslav Stavetsky advises to dream more. He believes that Dostoevsky, Marquez, Hemingway became famous all over the world precisely because they dreamed of a new world. But today's pragmatism and prudence, which prevail in the minds of writers, do not let them into the world of art.
- Popular author Paulo Coelho warns novice authors of overly describing their own research or conclusions. If you overdo it from "smart" thoughts, then you can bore both readers and yourself. Coelho recalls that books are not created to demonstrate the level of education. And in order to open your inner world.
Tips for the beginning writer, about which you have just learned - this is an effective pill from gloom or creative crisis. Enlisting the support of well-known authors and gathering the will in a creative fist, you will soon be able to give your own, proven experience, advice to beginners.
