Advice for New(-ish) Authors

[NuclearFairy]

What if I *want* to be the soft and half baked? What if my fantasy world is a place to escape from the darkness of my daily world? Do we all have to read and love dystopias to avoid being children, or can grown adults still enjoy pure wish fulfillment?

I'm sure plenty of readers want it too, so go for it!

I say with all sincerity while writing about a merman finding a hagfish riddled corpse in a closet.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

I'm sure plenty of readers want it too, so go for it!

I say with all sincerity while writing about a merman finding a hagfish riddled corpse in a closet.

And that's because sometimes....the dystopia is what we want instead. To read about others struggling as we are, whether as a warning or because they will eventually triumph.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

My thought would be write what you enjoy writing or would enjoy reading.

For some that does include things that make them uncomfortable. Or they enjoy the act of pushing outside their comfort zone as a writer itself.

For others that's staying inside a certain perimeter that they feel safe in.

Most probably fall somewhere in between. And it will likely change over time as well.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

In one of the writing classes I took, it was suggested that one should reveal the Main Characters' traits by what others say about them. But you reveal some of their faults through their thoughts. Of course, this works best in 3rd person. You can also show peti jealousy by what others say about them.

I'd semi-agree with that. It's fine for a character to self-reflect on her weaknesses, but their virtues really need to be shown, not told.
A great example of that was She-Hulk. All the other characters talked about how great she was, but all you saw was her being terrible, so it just didn't work.

 

[iwatchus]

My thought would be write what you enjoy writing or would enjoy reading.

For some that does include things that make them uncomfortable. Or they enjoy the act of pushing outside their comfort zone as a writer itself.

For others that's staying inside a certain perimeter that they feel safe in.

Most probably fall somewhere in between. And it will likely change over time as well.

Sometimes you should write what is cathartic for you to write. It needs to come out. Let it out.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Women do not ejaculate.

Squirting for Dummies

 

[EmilyMiller]

"Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!" does not add anything to a story.

It depends on the set up, if it’s someone who has religiously avoided cursing until that point…

 

[MelissaBaby]

Fucking shit, I was not ready for that while casually browsing on a lazy Saturday.
This thread isn't about that, so I won't elaborate, but know you have touched a kindred spirit.

I will definitely find some time to read your story.

I hope you will, and that you will share your thoughts.

 

[MelissaBaby]

You will not regret reading her Fall and Rise story. Or anything else of hers.

Thank you. You've been a great supporter and I really appreciate it.

 

[Statius]

Maybe we should all just give the advice we have from our experience and not let it turn into an argument or slam fest.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

Forgive me, at my age, it’s easy to get disoriented and forget where I am and who I’m talking to.

You know, something I love about the community on Lit - it's probably the only online community I interact with where I routinely (not just now, this is just the most recent example) feel young.

 

[iwatchus]

You know, something I love about the community on Lit - it's probably the only online community I interact with where I routinely (not just now, this is just the most recent example) feel young.

That's just because it's full of us old fogies.

 

[MelissaBaby]

In one of the writing classes I took, it was suggested that one should reveal the Main Characters' traits by what others say about them. But you reveal some of their faults through their thoughts. Of course, this works best in 3rd person. You can also show peti jealousy by what others say about them.

I also like to reveal character traits through an accumulation of details. The logo on their t-shirt, the drink they order, the condition of their living space- neat or messy? Do they have a nice new car or drive a clunker? Go to a fine restaurant or the Taco Bell drive through?

In the way a painter can suggest a figure through a few brush strokes, a writer can create a character with a few sentences.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

That's just because it's full of us old fogies.

I'm going to be honest, unless someone has explicitly stated it, I don't especially picture an age so much as "experience writing" which does not directly correlate with being older than me.

And maybe that's something to apply to writing advice for new authors, too. Here in the forums we have a bunch of characters. For the most part, we can get personalities, likes and dislikes, and even information on various kinks, just from interactions and conversations. So many aspects can just be blank slates for the reader to imprint out - letting their imagination fill in what you leave out. A great turn of phrase and description can make for an amazing story, don't get me wrong, but so can trusting your readers' imagination. At least, that's what this very new author thinks, and so I'm not sure if my advice is the best to take.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

I also like to reveal character traits through an accumulation of details. The logo on their t-shirt, the drink they order, the condition of their living space- neat or messy? Do they have a nice new car or drive a clunker? Go to a fine restaurant or the Taco Bell drive through?

In the way a painter can suggest a figure through a few brush strokes, a writer can create a character with a few sentences.

Ooo Ooo. This was done really well in @RoyalAuthor 's description of Grant's apartment in The Velvet Ribbon! I love how it's only described as it's being changed, but it gives you so much information about him and his life! (My hat's off to you on this one!)

 

[MillieDynamite]

The opening of The Big Sleep tells you a lot about Philip Marlow!

It was about eleven o’clock in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills. I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn’t care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars.

I also like to reveal character traits through an accumulation of details. The logo on their t-shirt, the drink they order, the condition of their living space- neat or messy? Do they have a nice new car or drive a clunker? Go to a fine restaurant or the Taco Bell drive through?

In the way a painter can suggest a figure through a few brush strokes, a writer can create a character with a few sentences.

 

[Statius]

1-Write, write and write some more.
2-Always write the idea you want.
3-Do not worry about length, category-other than putting it the right place-don't worry about how big the audience is.
4-Ignore the ones telling you that you and your story sucks, that's not useful by the same token "Best ever!" is flattering but its just as useless.
5-Don't ignore comments that say they did or did not like it and give actual reasons, these are things you can learn from
6-If you're struggling with a topic check the Lit How To category, there's a lot of great essays written by experienced authors.
7-Do not obsess over your score or other stories scores in the same category. Don't worry about H's top lists or any stat, worry about getting those stories out there, the other stuff comes along eventually.
8-Use your time here to goof off, procrastinate and make some friends. Do not consider this place as somewhere you can learn how to write. You can only learn that on your own and everyone here thinks their way is the best, and it is for them, but not to push on others.
9-Write what you like and don't push yourself to go into topics that make you uncomfortable. Its negative energy and waste of time. Who do you have anything to prove to other than yourself?
10-When you find yourself worrying about something go back to step one and just let it fly. You can always edit later but you never want to waste the creative burst.
11-Take all advice here, including mine, with an open mind, some may work for you, some many not but make sure you go with things that have you nodding and don't force anything.

I've never spoken to this member but do want to say that his posts have consistently the best writing advice and observations, due to experience and time. Everytime I read a post from him, I feel less overwhelmed by whatever it is I'm working on be it complex or a simple stroker. There is little to no judgement in his statements, no criticism of a particular type of writing or trope. Just write and enjoy it, and try to get better in your own way and in your own time. So from a not so great writer and someone who has not had the pleasure of speaking to you, thank you for your posts and encouragement. It matters what you say. Thank you.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've never spoken to this member but do want to say that his posts have consistently the best writing advice and observations, due to experience and time. Everytime I read a post from him, I feel less overwhelmed by whatever it is I'm working on be it complex or a simple stroker. There is little to no judgement in his statements, no criticism of a particular type of writing or trope. Just write and enjoy it, and try to get better in your own way and in your own time. So from a not so great writer and someone who has not had the pleasure of speaking to you, thank you for your posts and encouragement. It matters what you say. Thank you.

Thank you, I'm glad I've been able to help. I received help from a couple of experienced authors when I started here and believe its important to pay it forward and do what I can here.

Don't put yourself down as a writer, you're writing, that's what matters.

 

[Statius]

I'm going to be honest, unless someone has explicitly stated it, I don't especially picture an age so much as "experience writing" which does not directly correlate with being older than me.

And maybe that's something to apply to writing advice for new authors, too. Here in the forums we have a bunch of characters. For the most part, we can get personalities, likes and dislikes, and even information on various kinks, just from interactions and conversations. So many aspects can just be blank slates for the reader to imprint out - letting their imagination fill in what you leave out. A great turn of phrase and description can make for an amazing story, don't get me wrong, but so can trusting your readers' imagination. At least, that's what this very new author thinks, and so I'm not sure if my advice is the best to take.

Anything you've learned, no matter the brief amount of time here, is worth sharing. You never know who needs to hear it.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

Anything you've learned, no matter the brief amount of time here, is worth sharing. You never know who needs to hear it.

You are too kind.

 

[Z_TheWriter]

Dear new authors,

If like me you started with a pretty short story and it went fairly well. Then do not be like me and make your second waaay longer. Cause now I have all the time in the world during writing to think of reasons why the first one was just a fluke and I'm actually terrible at this.

Sincerely,
Z

 

[cw5523729]

Do us all a favor:
"Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!" does not add anything to a story.

Disagree. I frequently screw up and shout to myself "Fuck me fuck me fuck me!!"

Actually, now that I say that, it doesn't usually help.

Never mind.

 

[SamanthaBehgs]

Disagree. I frequently screw up and shout to myself "Fuck me fuck me fuck me!!"

Actually, now that I say that, it doesn't usually help.

Never mind.

Unless you're in pain while you do it. Turns out swearing can (for a statistically significant number of people) actually help reduce experienced pain levels.

 

[cw5523729]

Unless you're in pain while you do it. Turns out swearing can (for a statistically significant number of people) actually help reduce experienced pain levels.

Mythbusters did an episode on the benefits of swearing. They confirmed it really worked.

 

[TheLobster]

Mythbusters did an episode on the benefits of swearing. They confirmed it really worked.

They really swore by that conclusion, eh?