How can I be a writer?

I'm fourteen years old and am trying to write something I'd like to have published someday. I've been told that I'm good with words and language and would probably be a great writer. The thing is, I don't know how to start off. Should I carry a notebook around and write things from my everyday life? Should I read a book on writing? I need inspiration but I can't figure it all out. Are there even any rules to writing? Or is it like art?

I'm just confused!

 

never stop reading
never stop writing
it will all fall into place

 

if you read a lot it will definatly help you to become a better writer.

also a good thing to keep in mind is the old saying "Write what you know"

 

Ah, thank you. I read too much, so that should definitely help.

 

what are you interested in writing about?

 

I want to write about something personal that happened to me, but I would change names and tweak it a bit to make it more interesting.

 

well what kind of writer do you want to be ? What are the things you want to write about ?

 

Oo you already answerd that
U need to find your inspiration, your muse maybe

 

see this is a great example of when I said "write what you know"

who better to tell a story than the one who experienced it?

 

sometimes I make the mistake of thinking that the concept you write of has to be totally original, a groundbreaking new philosophy or something. but I don't think anything really is original, writers only need to refresh things that have grown dusty with time, to repackage it for a new generation. I personaly just enjoy the styles in which ppl write, not so much what they're saying, but how they say it. but these are my opinions at the current time. I also seek inspiration and most of the time I don't know what to write about. writing your way into something can work, and ALWAYS break the rules if you think it will create better writing

 

This was so helpful. I've started just "writing with the flow" and that helps, just blurting whatever I'm thinking out onto paper.

The experience I went through was really traumatic and painful but going through shit like that actually makes for good writing, I guess. Thanks for all the advice

 

This is pretty much the same piece of advice I get from every professional writer I've spoken with.

You really do need to just practice practice practice, glut yourself on reading, you can never read too much, and don't worry too much about whether you're "doing it properly". Outside of the basic core skills in language, it is all about doing what feels right for you.

My personal tip is don't be afraid of your own writing and ideas. Trust that it is good and write the things that you want to write. If they don't work out, you can always scrap them or rework them later

 

When the time comes be aware/weary of certain publishers. Get an agent or someone who knows the ins and outs... don't allow yourself and mind to be used and abused.

 

I'm personally planning on joining a local published writers group soon.

 

You should share some of your writing here. I'd like to see it.

 

The way to begin is to practice what it is you want to write.
Just write stuff down like, a description of some wine bottles on a table. A painting by picasso, whatever it is just choose to describe stuff. I mean 99% of what writers do is to describe something in words. A description of still life objects is easier than describing fully animated scenes involving the complexity of human interaction. Work your way up to that.

 

if you have ever written something down, you are a writer

 

unfortunatly, tragedy is the most intersting to write about. when its personal and hapened in real life, its even better, when u write it, dont be afraid to let it be everything u truely felt, make it deep, even cry when ur writting it, makes u feel better once you have prefectly captured it in words, and can be most interesting. its what i do anyway, also works well with poetry.

good luck

 

That is the method I used. For example, my short story 'Marathon' (http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=234229&f=26) is 95% fact, 5% fiction. I invented a person or two and some conversations to improve readability and hold the reader's interest. Otherwise, it is a description of a series of real events. The same applies to my short story 'Summer of Love'(http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=293757&f=26) .

The farther I get from my actual experiences, the more likely it is I'm going to produce a story that's not convincing and doesn't ring true. My short story 'Trouble'(http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=233314&f=26) is not in the least drawn from my experience, but I had fun writing it anyway.

If you want to be taken seriously, you should have no spelling errors and very few grammatical errors. Most schools have courses like 'English Composition' or 'Creative Writing', and allow students to 'audit' courses for a reduced tuition fee. Auditing a course does not result in a grade or credits toward a diploma. Any instructor of such a course will be happy to coach you.

To look at my work (and I'm the kind of egotist that wants people to read my work), go to Writers Forum. Go to Display Options at the bottom of the page, and select 'sort by thread starter', 'ascending' and 'from beginning'. My work would then be grouped under username 'dirtydog' on about page 9. Of course the same method will group any one else's contributions within a thread into one place.

 

Keeping a journal has been the best way for me to write well...something about organizing my thoughts on paper frees my mind and turns into such artwork. I've noticed that using creative writing prompts really helps, too.