The Writing Tips Thread

[bunny]

calm down all of you

just drop it all and move on the most important WRITING

I just found out today that my English SUCKS

I don't even have an English teacher to blame it on

EDIT: I wasn't on the forum when the fan fic part was all great and stuff, but I wished there where more people comming to this part of the site. Or at least the people who go here would comment more often. That's all I have to say

Second Edit: Guys does it really has to be this big of drama, look at your guys ''views'' on your guys storys, I don't think that there is anyone who can complain about that. If people didn't like your guys storys that they probaly wouldn't read it, so the fact is there that there are alot of people liking the storys. That there are some how think different about it, we can't help.

[hithereimvoldemort]

You guys need to calm the fuck down. You act like your stories are this delicate art, this creation that you spend hours vigorously reading through and correcting. You act like they're a piece of yourself, and that you've had that piece wripped out over a piece of ADVICE. And then you suddenly come out saying that it's only fan fiction. Pshh.

Writing is hard. Anyone trying to tell you differently needs a major reality check. Writing does not come down to grammar and sentence structure, it comes down to your ideas, your people, and the story itself. If english isn't your first language, get help from someone who speaks english natively, like me. But you have to understand that that's NOT it. There are stories on here that need help. There are people on here that need help with their writing and ideas. It doesn't necessarily mean you're bad. All stories come down to the people, and a lot of writers on here have not developed their characters, but instead focused in on actions, and actions only. Actions don't make a story, people do. When you successfully manage to develop your character to the point where your readers feel a connection, and are begging you to get an update in order to not find out JUST what happens, but what happens to the CHARACTER'S and how it affects them. It's not easy, and the point of this thread was to face those problems head-on, because the second you guys stop whining and start taking the advice is the second your writing starts to improve.

Really... stop. Just stop. I know I'm not perfect. The second you guys hear that you have room for improvement, start receiving advice, and hear that things were awesome before, you cover your ears, become terribly offended, and start BEGGING for this thread to be closed. That's not fair, nor is it logical. The truth can hurt, but this isn't even a painful fact. You should realize that you're not amazing, and it should be an obvious fact that there's room for improvement. I didn't make this thread to call your stories boring, but maybe that's a point to improve on. When you can't get into a story because it's lacking major points, then yes, it is boring. Are you going to get all upset now? But that's not an insult, it's just a point to be taken into consideration. Like, bunny, I know you really, really like writing. If you like it that much, then you can SURELY improve. You may just need need guidance and fresh views from people who are better than you (btw, thanks for not getting all ZOMG PAINNNNN about this thread).

Again, you guys have a choice. There IS advice in this thread that I think is pretty damn good. You can take it and try and incorporate it into your stories, or you can cover your ears and cry in the corner after finding out your fan fiction isn't breath-takingly wonderful.

[waitingxforxyou]

You ARE one of the old crowd, dear. Don't kill yourself over it; then how would you see the new House episodes?

Originally Posted by xx Leila xx

Wow. Thanks a lot Nicole. I really just feel like putting all of my stories through the paper shredder now. I went through this when I changed my user title, and it's ridiculous. You make me feel like I'm completely worthless, just because I wasn't back here awhile ago. I feel like my writing hasn't been given a fair chance, because I'm new here. And I thought my stories were good, but apparently they suck compared to your freaking masterpieces.

For the love of God, someone please close this thread.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm going to go slit my wrists by giving myself paper cuts with my boring, poorly written, horrible, crappy stories.

And to everyone else--even famous authors have problems. That's what editors are for. That's half the reason why books are so wonderful and people spend time in libraries. And nobody gets anywhere without running their ideas by someone else.

Do this: imagine your favorite book, the most fantastic book you've ever read, the one you can read tons of times and it never is boring.

Now take out conflict.

Take out the character development.

Do you want to read it now?

And morenor, you really shouldn't take it so hard. After all, you've definitely improved and making Deryck a cop is so different and cool. I'm sick of every time I even consider coming back to the fan fiction section people jump down my throat for simply stating an opinion. Not everybody likes everything; suck it up.

But one thing people can agree on is that they like well-written stories.

[Morenor]

Originally Posted by hithereimvoldemort

Again, you guys have a choice. There IS advice in this thread that I think is pretty damn good. You can take it and try and incorporate it into your stories, or you can cover your ears and cry in the corner after finding out your fan fiction isn't breath-takingly wonderful.

I know my story isn't great, and not the best story on here. But I seriously don't wanna hear someone that was updating on here ages ago bitch about it all. Seriously, I appreciate your honesty, and now we know.. And just so you know, thanks for the advise, all the advises you brought are being used in my story, at least I think so, and hope so...

And seriously, I can't seem to find a reason why this thread shouldn't be closed. Its your oppinion that the fan fiction section was better some years ago, or whenever it was. But I wasn't here yet then, and I have no idea how it was, and maybe it was better, and I have heard that. But we that are writing on here, are trying our best.

[Morenor]

Originally Posted by waitingxforxyou

And morenor, you really shouldn't take it so hard. After all, you've definitely improved and making Deryck a cop is so different and cool. I'm sick of every time I even consider coming back to the fan fiction section people jump down my throat for simply stating an opinion. Not everybody likes everything; suck it up.

Well thanks, but I only took it so hard because it is really and insult to us, who are writing on here. We know you're oppinion, and I think this thread is only making it worse. At least I was accepting that you thought this section was kinda boring now..

[hithereimvoldemort]

I'm not "bitching", I'm giving advice. You can take this however you want, but it's not meant in a bad way, so I can't help it if you're offended. This thread was made for advice, and therefore shouldn't be closed. I mean, come ON. Does it really look like all I'm doing is complaining about how much better things were? Did you even read my first post, or the post you partially responded too? I'm telling you this because you have something to work on. You ALL do. YOU guys are the ones beign offended and completely overreacting. I mean, come on Leila, shredding your stories and slitting your wrists with the paper? I think you're one of the best writers on here, and I think you're FILLED with potential.

Look, I'm sorry you're all offended, but there is nothing insulting about the content in this thread. Honestly? Suck it up and relax.

[xx Leila xx]

Originally Posted by waitingxforxyou

You ARE one of the old crowd, dear. Don't kill yourself over it; then how would you see the new House episodes?

I was just trying to make a point...I'm not going to actually slit my wrists. As for the House episodes...I hear here's TiVo in the afterlife.

[ohya]

i really appreciate all this guys even tho i wont do a ton of it, cause i dotn want a really long story that will get annoying, just for contest, ahah, but lots of these tips are so helpful!