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- Keep Writing
You don't learn how to ride a bike on the first try, you first attempt at writing a story isn't going to produce perfection. That's okay. Diligence is important.
- Be upfront (at least to yourself) about your short comings and then work to improve them.
- If you don't how dialogue is supposed to be punctuated, then you need to actively work on getting it right.
- If you know that your plots aren't as organized as you'd like, work on it.
- If you start creative projects all of the time, but can't seem to finish any of them, pick one and work on getting it finished.
Subscribe to a writing magazine.
Writing magazines are full of articles to help sharpen your skills, encourage you, and clue you in to the publishing industry. Don't just read articles about the genre/type of writing you are interested in. Story writers can pick up some good information from articles geared to novelist, nonfiction writers, and even poets.
- Go to your local bookstore and by a few. Read them all the way through, get a feel for them. Subscribe to the one that you feels gives you the most/best informaton.
- Of course, all of the major writing magazines have websites and you can view content there. You won't be able to read through entire issues though.
A word of warning about magazines:
- Some of the advertisers/classified ads in writing magazines are from scam artists looking to make as much money off of you as possible. Don't automatically assume that a company is legitimate just because it advertises in a reputable magazine. Thoroughly research ANY company/agent/contest before giving up your work or your money.
Writing Conferences, Workshops, & Groups
These can be fun if done in the right spirit. Not only could you learn ways to improve your craft, but it's a great way to interacting with other creative people and exchanging ideas. You can finding out more about the business of writing, hear success stories, be encouraged, find out how other people deal with writing problems, and learn what's going on in the publishing industry.
- Conferences are events that last several days. There is usually a central theme/genre.
- Pro: can include discussion panels, speakers, networking parties, workshops and more
- Pro: Professional writers, mix and mingle with the aspiring. Could meet your favorite author (or sit in on her workshop).
- Pro: There are lots and lots of conferences. You can be picky and find ones that really suit your needs.
- Con: Can cost lots of $$. (fees, airfare, hotel, transportation)
- Con: You have to choose wisely. Reading articles about nonfiction writing may be useful, but a romance novelist attending a technical writers' convention is just a wasting her money and time.
A Workshop can be one or a series of classes. There is usually focus on a specific genre or skill.
- Pro: Can get instruction from a published/professional writer. Learn new tips/exercises.
- Pro: Learning with others will help you to not feel isolated.
- Pro: There are probably a variety of writing workshops that occur in your area during the year.
- Con: You may feel like you have to write exactly like the workshop leader/resident expert.
- Con: Anyone can rent space and hold a workshop. You'll have to do a little research to make sure the leader is someone who is really an established writer.
A Group can last indefinitely, growing & shrinking as members come and go.
- Pro: Everyone shares work, you learn how to give and receive constructive criticism.
- Pro: Hearing other point of view about your piece can give you insight.
- Pro: Hearing about the successes and failures of the other writers can give you encouragement.
- Pro: You have a built-in support group who will be there for you when/if you feel like giving up.
- Pro: Thanks to the internet and places like Yahoogroups, you are not restricted to groups that meet in the flesh.
- Pro: If you can't find a group that suits your needs, you can always create your on (in the real or virtual world).
- Con: Some members may view the group as a competion instead of a collective.
- Con: Some members may try to stroke their own egos by downgrading everyone else's work.
- Con: The danger of thinking the opinions of group members are more important than your own.
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