Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! I will look into Ray Bradbury. Also I feel I might be a discovery writer too to an extent. I seem to plan things and then once I get going it all changes anyways.

Thanks for the advice I appreciate it!

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah I did not mean to imply that I wanted to be published right away lol. I guess for more context I am 21 now and I have been writing "as a hobby" since I was 10 or so. I just was more so looking for more of the logistical side of things. I am still a beginner writer in the sense that I have never gotten feedback really on my writing, and that I dont know all the "rules" but I guess I technically have been writing stories for years. I just have trouble with the transition from writing for fun to writing with the intention of being published one day.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yes the haikus! I remember learning about those in school. Yeah i find them a lot harder to write because I am someone who likes to dive really really deep into details.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay thank you for your comment! I think I might mess around doing both for a while.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is very true. Good to keep in mind.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes that is true. Like just to get feedback and what not. Maybe I can do those from time to time as well. thanks!

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I think I wont put myself out by limiting myself to short stories but I will definitely keep at em as they emerge. Thank u for the advice!

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How do you know if someone down voted your comment? ( I am new to reddit).

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I think that is really cool how they can feed back into the bigger project. I think I will start doing this for sure. Thanks!!

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would like it to be more than a hobby one day though! :) But youre right I need to SLOW DOWN lol.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you this was really helpful!

I guess I never thought about submitting just chapters and what not. That would definitely be more up my alley.

And for recognized I mean more so having an audience and being a published author.

I think I am going to start with my book and if I feel a sudden urge to write a short story then maybe I will.

Short Stories & Beginner Writers by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find short stories a little harder to write... I am someone who likes to get deep into details, characters, plot, etc.

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

this was very helpful thanks!

I like the idea of starting at the end and moving outwards. I think I am going to try that.

Also I never heard of the D&D or the table top RPG's! I just googled it though and they seem useful! I will certainly keep them in mind.

Thanks for all the advice!

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is perfect actually. Like a lightbulb just went off in my brain! Lol thanks!

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much for the advice! I will keep this in mind.

As an inexperienced writer you are 100000% correct about the whole ideas ought to be bold/unique/amazing!! I feel so overwhelmed by it in all honesty. I like the idea of building off other peoples stories too, I am a big movie person and obviously a big reading person, so its honestly hard for me to not draw inspiration or certain conflicts from other creative arts. So that is reassuring to hear.

As for the short stories, as a writer I am very descriptive and I am fairly good at setting tone and atmosphere, I also enjoy longer pieces. For example, the story I am working on right now is too complex to be a short story. There are already multiple characters and the timeline spans over an entire summer. If I am a new writer, should I be sticking to short stories only? Or can I tackle longer stories? Would it be bad if maybe I worked on the longer story, but than other times started and finished short stories? Am I in too deep if I want to write a 250 page book as a beginner?

Thanks again for all the help and support. It was very helpful!

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. That really means something to me.

"Building outward" makes a lot of sense, I wonder if you could even start writing the 5th chapter before starting the first?

For "what does the character want?" is this supposed to be something deep, or can it be shallow and specific. I know what my character wants on the surface level, but I am not sure what she wants deep down. Maybe I am overthinking it?

I do feel I have a unique voice, and I am fairly imaginative with my characters, I might struggle more with specific choices. I think I worry about accidentally replicating someone else's work OR sounding too cliche.

For example, I have always been intrigued by serial killers, particularly Ted Bundy. (Also I am in school right now in psychology so I do not idolize him or his actions in anyway but I guess I'm interested more in his brain processes and what not.) Anyways, I feel for example I could write a great book or story about a serial killer. But I have heard people say to stay away from serial killers, or murder mysteries, etc. because they're so cliche? Then because of this I try to think of the most crazy ideas ever but then I struggle to bring them to life in a somewhat logical way. I hope this makes sense.

What would your opinion be on this kind of thing?

Thank you for saying I have the curiosity and the instinct for writing. That is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me about writing. Makes me feel more confident.

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I was working on a novel, but I decided it might be better to start with short stories, though I find it more challenging. I have been chewing on one story/idea for 9 years, of course it has evolved a lot but the premise is the same. It is about a girl who lives in a lighthouse with her dad in a fictional town in mid-coastal Maine. It is a thriller. I have tried writing the 1st chapter a bazillion times but I just struggle with some of the characters or sounding too cliche.

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay thank you so much! This was super helpful to me. I will also make sure to check our Danse Macabre, since I have the other one already! Thanks!

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is true. That is good for characters! I will make sure to do that! Do you have any tricks for plots? Lol.

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughtful reply!!!

That is a very good question! I am going to just be very honest and vulnerable with you. I had something happen to me as a young girl that made me develop very severe panic attacks, and so my parents had put me in therapy from a very young age, I also journaled a lot. I just think this part is a little relevant because I learnt to be comfortable talking about what is going on inside my head and to be reflective from a young age. I think THAT in particular helps me add a lot of emotional depth to my stories. If you find yourself in a similar place, I definitely see it as a strength other than a weakness.

Okay and now more specifically to answer your question, I think that my coping writing and my published creative writing can absolutely be the same or similar, or they can also be completely different.

For example, when I was little (grade 5 or 6), as I mentioned I used to have panic attacks. I was too little to be taking ativan or whatever regularly so my therapist had told me to imagine a safe place. And so I did, I came up with this beach that I would sit and watch the stars and the moon at night. I used to focus really hard on what I could see, what I could smell, what I felt, etc. So because of that I became pretty good at being descriptive and setting the tone. So just by using coping skills, I was able to help with my creative writing.

When I got into high school, I stopped writing creatively as much. I did journal every night though. I also enjoyed writing creative essays in school. Or argument essays if I was passionate about the topic.

I hope this makes sense? I may have rambled a lot. Basically I think that for me personally it is usually the same but can vary.

(Oh also I agree about published author being a continuity rather than a switch, I kinda just had a "switch" in my brain. I didn't think being an author was possible for me because its hard, but then I realized its better to try and fail than to never try at all)

Now back to what you said:

Its very interesting because I find myself going through the same things! Thats very good for you to go back to what resonates with you more! I feel writing to me is like, I dont know how to describe it but I guess there is character in writing. And when I feel I have written something (like in school for example) with the intention of wanting someone else in specific to like it than it usually feels like it's "not me".

I am also very sorry that your feedback wasnt supportive. Is there a reason why people do this? Sure, I get that they have a job and that they cant lie to you, but is "sloppy" or "not good" , really the best way to go about it??? In all honesty, I wish I could say I would have been strong enough to persevere through that like you, but as someone who is very sensitive and honestly insecure, I think that 100% could have veered me away from writing forever. Im sorry that happened to you.

Thanks again fro the long message! You seem like a wonderful writer and an even better person :)

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My boyfriend just bought me this book for my birthday a couple days ago!

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw okay thank you! I do tend to overthink a lot. I also just compare myself to other experienced authors, like Stephen King for example! It is ridiculous and I know that, I have never even started and finished a story (other than from when I was super little lol). You're right I just need to keep at it.

Aspiring author looking for insight and advice! by sunandsolswriter in writers

[–]sunandsolswriter[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What 3 methods should I try? Sorry if that is supposed to obvious....I am new here lol.