Succeeding as a Writer by Stephen King | Writing Quote

 

 

Succeeding as a Writer

 

by Stephen King

 

 If you expect to succeed as a writer, rudeness should be the second-to-least of your concerns. The least of all should be polite society and what it expects. If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered, anyway.

--Stephen King

 

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About the Author 

Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high standing in pop culture, his books have sold more than 350 million copies, and many have been adapted into films, television series, miniseries, and comic books. King has published 64 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five non-fiction books. He has also written approximately 200 short stories, most of which have been published in book collections. Wikipedia

 

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FREE COURSE: How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories by Mia Botha

FREE COURSE: How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories

 

by Mia Botha

 

Take Writers Write free writing course and learn how to show and not tell in short stories.

What the course includes:

1. The difference between ‘showing’ and ‘telling’. (Lesson 1)
2. How to ‘show’. We will discuss the 7 techniques we use to ‘show’. (Lesson 2-8)
3. When to ‘tell’. In the last lesson, we will discuss when you should ‘tell’. (Lesson 9)

We know that by showing and not telling, you will develop better ideas for your novels, memoirs, or short stories.

On Writer’s Terror by Sharon Rawlette

On Writer’s Terror

 

by Sharon Rawlette

 

Everyone who is a writer or knows a writer is aware of how terrifying it can be to sit down in front of a blank page. Why? A carpenter doesn’t look at a bare cinderblock foundation, drop his tool belt, and run away screaming. A chef doesn’t look at an empty frying pan and despair. Why does the writer, confronted with a blank piece of paper or a window labeled “Document1,” want to give up the ghost?

I think it has something to do with the fact that the carpenter has blueprints. The chef has recipes. And no one will complain if they build or cook the same thing twice. The writer has no such luxuries. The writer is cursed to start over, from scratch, every time. Like Sisyphus. Except the writer has to make the boulder, and each time it has to be a unique but precisely sculpted blend of levity and gravity, transcendence and relatability. In short, a miracle. By 11:59 tonight, please.

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FREE COURSE: Hooked On Writing

 

FREE COURSE: Hooked On Writing

Welcome to Hooked on Writing, your free online writing course. This online workbook will help you create a writing habit in 31 days.

Hooked On Writing: 31 Days To A Writing Habit

This is a 100% FREE online course designed to help you form your own writing habit.

Create A Writing Habit In 31 days

What Writers Write want you to achieve:

1. To get you hooked on writing.
2. To get you into the habit of writing every day.
3. To get you to understand that writing means writing.
4. To inspire you to write as well as you are able to.
5. To improve the way you write dialogue.
6. To create charismatic characters.
7. To allow you to get in touch with your creativity.
8. To help you to produce publishable writing.
9. To help you to find your ‘voice’.
10. To make you fall in love with writing.

A Quick Look at 5 Important Fiction Writing Elements, Setting, Plot, Character, Point of View, and Theme by Ryker J. Phoenix

A Quick Look at 5 Important Fiction Writing Elements, Setting, Plot, Character, Point of View, and Theme

 

by Ryker J. Phoenix

 

There are a few key elements that all good fiction writing share. These important elements are setting, plot, character, point of view, and theme.

Setting is one of the most important elements of fiction writing. The setting creates the mood and helps to establish the tone of the story. It can also be used to help the reader to better understand the characters and the plot.

Plot is another key element of fiction writing. The plot is what drives the story and keeps the reader engaged. It is important to have a plot that is interesting and has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Character is another important element of fiction writing. The characters are what make the story come to life. It is important to create believable and interesting characters that the reader can care about.

Point of View is the writer's way of deciding who is telling the story to whom. Establishing a clear point of view is important because it dictates how your reader interprets characters, events, and other important details. There are three kinds of point of view: first person, second person, and third person.

Theme is the final key element of fiction writing. The theme is the underlying message of the story. It is what the story is really about.

Also see:  Fiction Writing

Fiction Writing for the Beginning Writer by Ryker J. Phoenix

 

Fiction Writing for the Beginning Writer

by Ryker J. Phoenix

Fiction writing is the process of writing stories or novels that are not based on real events. Fiction writers use their imaginations to create stories and characters, and they may use factual information to help them create a realistic setting. Fiction writing can be a fun and creative way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world, and it can also be a lucrative career.

If you want to write fiction, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to come up with a good idea. You may want to think about what you’re interested in or what you know a lot about. Once you have a good idea, you need to come up with a story outline. This will help you stay on track while you write your story.

Next, you need to write a rough draft. This is just the basic story, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. You can go back and revise it later. Once you have a rough draft, you can start working on the final version.

Fiction writing can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work. If you’re serious about becoming a fiction writer, you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort.

10 Quick Suggestions to Get the New Writer Writing

1. Determine the story you want to tell.
2. Outline the plot. 
3. Create characters with well-defined personalities. 
4. Give your characters believable motivations. 
5. Write a compelling opening scene.
6. Develop your plot points effectively.
7. Write strong, believable dialogue.
8. Create a believable and satisfying ending. 
9. Polish your work until it shines.
10. Submit your novel to agents and publishers.

16 Fiction Writing Tips From MasterClass

Great fiction writing takes dedication and hard work, but there are methods to make the process easier. Here are 16 tips for writing fiction:

1. Love your story. You might have a list of story ideas waiting to be fleshed out, but there’s likely one you’re most passionate about. Start with that story. Many authors do their best writing when they’re deeply invested in their characters and plot.
2. Withhold information from your readers. When writing fiction, only give readers the information they need to know in the moment. Ernest Hemingway’s iceberg theory in writing is to show your readers just the tip of the iceberg. The supporting details—like backstory—should remain unseen, just like the mass of an iceberg under the water’s surface. This prevents readers from getting overwhelmed with information and lets them use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
   
3. Write simple sentences. Think of Shakespeare’s line, “To be or not to be?” famous for its brevity and the way it quickly describes a character’s toiling over their own life. There is a time and place for bigger words and denser text, but you can get story points across in simple sentences and language. Try using succinct language when writing, so that every word and sentence has a clear purpose.
4. Mix up your writing. To become a better writer, try different types of writing. If you’re a novelist, take a stab at a short story. If you’re writing fiction, try writing nonfiction. Try a more casual writing style by blogging. Each piece of writing has a different point of view and different style rules that will help your overall writing skills.
5. Write every day. Great writers have a regular writing habit. That means dedicating time every day to the craft of writing. Some writers assign themselves a daily word count; Stephen King writes 2,000 words a day. You might also join a writing group; being accountable to other people is a great motivator. Don’t worry if what you jot down is technically bad writing or you struggle to get something onto a blank page. Some days will be more productive than others. The more you write the easier it gets.
6. Set milestones. The average word count for a book is 75,000 words. That can make novel writing intimidating. If you’re working on your first novel, stay motivated by setting milestones. This will help you break the book down mentally so it is easier to manage and easier to stick with.
7. Understand basic story structure. Professional writers are well-versed in the framework most stories follow, from exposition and rising action through to the climax and falling action. Create an outline to map your main plot and subplots on paper before you get started.
8. Learn strong character development techniques. There are effective ways to create a character arc in literature. Learn what character information to reveal to increase tension in your story. Your main characters should have a backstory that informs their actions, motivations, and goals. Determine what point of view (POV)—first person or third person—complements the character’s interpretation of events.
9. Use the active voice. Your goal as an author is to write a page-turner—a book that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Use the active voice in your stories. Sentences should generally follow the basic structure of noun-verb-object. While passive voice isn’t always a bad thing, limit it in your fiction writing.
10. Take breaks when you need them. Writer's block gets the best of every writer. Step away from your desk and get some exercise. Getting your blood flowing and being in a different environment can ignite ideas. Continue writing later that day or even the next.
11. Kill your darlings. An important piece of advice for writers is to know when words, paragraphs, chapters, or even characters, are unnecessary to the story. Being a good writer means having the ability to edit out excess information. If the material you cut is still a great piece of writing, see if you can build a short story around it.
12. Read other writers. Reading great writing can help you find your own voice and hone your writing skills. Read a variety of genres. It also helps to read the same genre as your novel. If you’re writing a thriller, then read other thrillers that show how to build tension, create plot points, and how to do the big reveal at the climax of the story.
13. Write to sell. To make a living doing what they love, fiction writers need to think like editors and publishers. In other words, approach your story with a marketing sensibility as well as a creative one to sell your book.
14. Write now, edit later. Young writers and aspiring writers might be tempted to spend a lot of time editing and rewriting as they type. Resist that temptation. Practice freewriting—a creative writing technique that encourages writers to let their ideas flow uninterrupted. Set a specific time to edit.
15. Get feedback. It can be hard to critique your own writing. When you have finished a piece of writing or a first draft, give it to someone to read. Ask for honest and specific feedback. This is a good way to learn what works and what doesn’t.
16. Think about publishing. Few authors write just for themselves. Envision where you want your story to be published. If you have a short story, think about submitting it to literary magazines. If you have a novel, you can send it to literary agents and publishing houses. You might also consider self-publishing if you really want to see your book in print.

Bad Ideas About Writing, Cheryl E Ball, by Drew M Loewe, Copyright Year: 2017

 

Bad Ideas About Writing

 

by Cheryl E Ball ( Editor), Drew M Loewe (Editor), 

 

Copyright Year: 2017

 

Bad Ideas About Writing makes for interesting reading. People with a stake in the teaching of writing can take away some valuable insights. Creative writers as well can benefit from the exposure of harmful cliches surrounding the writing life. Where the book falls short is working as an introductory writing text which, admittedly, it does not seem to be intended for.

Contents

1. Bad Ideas About What Good Writing Is
2. Bad Ideas About Who Good Writers Are
3. Bad Ideas About Style, Usage, and Grammar
4. Bad Ideas About Writing Techniques
5. Bad Ideas About Genres
6. Bad Ideas About Assessing Writing
7. Bad Ideas About Writing and Digital Technology
8. Bad Ideas About Writing Teachers

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0