Where did you learn to write?

[Ishmael]

There are many here on the GB that have contributed stories to Lit. Many that would like to. And probably not so few that could care less.

There is a 'writers' forum here, but it's poorly attended. I have to admit that I've spent scant time there myself.

Regardless, those that have written. How did you start? Why did you start? And where do you believe that your greatest source of knowlege concerning how to write came from?

Perhaps there are some budding writers out there that might be inspired, or instructed on the direction to look for wisdom and guidance. English classes? Seminars? Literature classes? Just reading, or just writing. What worked for you?

Ishmael

 

[modest mouse]

Kindergarten.

I've yet to build on the skills I learned there.

(Its actually a good idea for a thread Ish. But I have almost nothing at Lit so I'll refrain)

 

[lavender]

Refers to old sigline:

My mastery of the English language was purely accidental.

Thus the use of words that drive PC crazy, such as blanketly.

 

[k¡tty]

My third grade teacher encouraged us to write stories, to use our imaginations and made several assignments for us to complete for grades.

Growing up I was an avid reader, reading almost anything I could lay my hands on. Begging my mother to take me to the town library so that I could pick up more books, especially during the summer time. My aunt fed my interests and knew how much I enjoyed writing stories and encouraged me in that all of the time. Even going so far as to buy me an electric typewriter.

I know that I'm not gifted with writing but that's okay.. it's the enjoyment that I get from doing it that makes me happy. I would love to take classes to improve.

 

[Azwed]

Self taught.

I never took any kind of creative writing class and never wrote any fiction related in HS that wasn't poetry.

My HS was pretty crappy in the english dept and math dept too actually.

I have read many books, many of the stories at lit and at other similar story repositories.

I used to roleplay a lot, still do on occasion, and I guess part of it comes from that. I haven't written any adult stories for public consumption but have written some fan fiction for games.

I also have found a nack for improving dirty bedtime stories on the fly. I have told them before we have had sex as part of the foreplay and even a few times during sex. Sort of like live roleplay without the costumes and very hot.

 

[KillerMuffin]

I started writing stories with words as soon as I figured out that I could. I haven't quit yet.

I learned to write through practice, but mostly through reading. Not just the How-To books, those are nice, but through reading stories.

I took one creative writing class, in high school, and spent most of my time there editing the school's "literary" magazine. The literature classes have been, by far, the most helpful.

Of course, I would be writing just like I do without those classes. I was doing it before them.

 

[Minkey Boodle]

I still don't know how.

I got some fancy addition flash cards, though.

 

[Star of Penumbra]

I taught myself when I was fifteen. Before then I had no interest in in writing. I can't say what got me started, but it probably had a lot to do with the fact that a lot of my time was (and still is) spent reading.

 

[JaymesBlond007]

I got tired of sounding like a fucking moron.

 

[Ishmael]

Mine started with reading also. A lot of reading. The lit classes in college taught me about structure. But in the end it all came from reading for me. And it seems for most of the others so far.

I remember reading "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" as a kid. Closing my eyes and 'seeing' the cave, and the fence. And "Injun Joe". It sparked my mind and the images. So that imaging a scene is the start, then the description. I'm still learning structure and dialog.

Ishmael

 

[JaymesBlond007]

OK...I guess

I just decided that learning how to communicate needs to include the written, as well as the spoken.

I like to get things.

You can't get something if you don't know how to ask for it.

 

[Lancecastor]

I started with a column about the goings-on at my high school in a local weekly. I thought it might be fun, so I called the editor and pitched it.

 

[flawed_ethics]

I guess like most everyone else, my knowledge comes simply through regular grade and high-school. However, I think I'm lucky that one of our teachers pressed Strunk and White's "Elements of Style" on us. That book is so concise, follow that and you'll be on par for anything here.

Experience helps, naturally. Submit things to those little competitions in school if you can(if you're in school - if you're not there should still be groups around to help, it's as simple as finding someone to swap quick stories on Lit here). I did knowing it would bomb, but the feedback is nice, and knowing you can improve should only encourages you.

And yes, read a book. Take it in for what it's worth, and odds are you'll come to appreciate how some authors write. It may rub off on you.

(I've only written one story for here - but it's still above a 4 so I feel ok adding my two cents.)

 

[kiwiwolf]

I started writing stories in the Army. When you are out on a four day Listening or Observation post you have plenty of spare time. My first efforts are really embarrassing to read now but I get a bit of a giggle out of them.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Have you noticed how threads such as this one inspire better grammar, spelling and punctuation?
I've always enjoyed writing, and have made money at it for the last 25 years. Like most everyone else, the interest was sparked by reading.

 

[Ishmael]

I started writing stories in the Army. When you are out on a four day Listening or Observation post you have plenty of spare time. My first efforts are really embarrassing to read now but I get a bit of a giggle out of them.

No shit!!! LOL I saved mine as well and my youngest son stumbled upon them. I was going to take them away out of embarrassment. Then said "What the hell." and he improved upon them. Helped someone anyway.

Ishmael

 

[kiwiwolf]

No shit!!! LOL I saved mine as well and my youngest son stubled upon them. I was going ot tak ethem away out of embarrasment. Then said "What the hell." and he improved upon them. Helped someone anyway.

Ishmael

God help me if my kids EVER get hold of my old stuff... or my new stuff for that matter.

Basically I'm screwed either way.

 

[teddybear4play]

In elementary school I was thrilled with creative writing because it allowed me to make up the rules as I went along. If I wanted, I could write a superhero story where the hero was a cow. No big whoop.

In high school, I chafed under the "rules" of the classic five-paragraph essay. It wasn't until my freshman year in college when I learned how to combine the creativity I always had with the writing I had to do. I credit my Composition prof that year. For the final term paper he assigned us, instead of some boring historical topic, to write about any group of crazy people. I wrote it on Heaven's Gate and got a 100.

TB4p

 

[MissTaken]

I wrote my first poem in First Grade. My mom still has a copy of the school newsletter where it was published.

Then, in high school, I enjoyed English classes and writing. However, it wasn't long before one or two of my teachers repeatedly squashed my attempts at writing creatively on basic lit essay questions. Hearing, "That's enough of that flowery stuff, just answer the question" really hung with me.

Then, in college, I wrote prolifically, songs and poetry. Some of it was very good and yes, I was pubished.

The biggest obstacle to the development of my creative writing was my career. 12 years of writing court reports and psychosocial histories has really caused the rust to build up on whatever skills I did have.

I am now, a mediocre creative writer at best. Finding lit has been helpful in that I started writing again. It is something I do as a hobby. I dont' take it seriously but yes, the writer in me, must write every day. I keep journals and have bazillions of notebooks with random thoughts. I write for myself and writing erotica is just for fun. My real stuff stays at home!

Ta da.
I am very tired today and rambling, but yes, writing has been a process that has developed through time and has been stunted from time to time.

 

[Hecate]

I read a lot, as in A LOT. And somehow I started to get involved - mainly online - in working on fan fiction, then got into more and more descriptive e-mailing or helping other fellow fan-fic authors to work on their stories or putting hteir ideas into scenes and words, the demand telling me I had "something" there.

Basically I never consciously write, it just happens to "flow out of me", then I just have to put my thoughts to paper, and then again I have lond "dry spells" where I just am not creative at all.

Whether I am good otr not I don't know, but I admittedly am one of the people writing first for themselves and maybe a select few people I KNOW will like my writing. If someone else then likes it too, GREAT... but basically I am happy if the specific people it was meant for like it.

Till today I do consider it a big compliment when people are surprised to find out I am not a native English speaker (writer rather as you can tell on the spot when I really talk *winks*)

 

[Belilica]

I started writing cheesy rant poetry in grade 8 and then started writing a novel in grade 9. It went no where. I lost my notes, put it down for a while, stopped caring.

I wrote my first erotic scene in grade 11 (now lost unforutnately). It was how I started to re-explore my bisexual tendencies. Anne Rice was a favorite author at the time, I always wanted to write like her.

I wrote my first erotic story for my ex, who didn't even read it, but even though it was incredibly discouraging, I got it edited and submitted it here.

Through support from friends and Lit, I've decided to continue. There is so much more that I've done that isn't submitted, and a great wealth of ideas in my brain.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I've always been able to write, probably because I started reading, extremely well, very early on. (Preposition at the end of a sentence noted.) More than spelling and grammar I seemed to understand structure and theme, paramount to a writer. I suppose, though, that I really started writing when I was about 22 and needed acting material. I didn't like the monolgues and scenes I found in the anthologies, so I wrote. After a few years my scenes and monologues started appearing in Acting Showcases all over New York, and I was so encouraged that I started developing some of the better ones into plays. And it just snowballed from there. (And to this day my scenes and monologues, stolen, are probably still being done all over New York and LA in showcases and acting classes. Fucking thieves. No wonder I hate Napster.)

 

[The Heretic]

English classes? Seminars? Literature classes? Just reading, or just writing. What worked for you?

A lot of reading and a lot of practice.

 

[Secret Kate]

Love of reading - like most of you - had a big part in my love of writing. I remember reading all the time as a kid. The library was our summer hang out - it was air-conditioned! Then as I got older I started reading the more tame Harlequin romances that my mom would let me have, and by High School level she would let me read whatever I wanted of hers.

My 11th grade Creative Writing teacher really encouraged me. She submitted a few of my short stories to some magazines. Nothing ever got published, but she still kept my spirits high. I wrote for the school paper as well, and my favorite article to write was the interview with the new coach, he was tall and blonde and yummy!

I still like to write and have hundreds of stories in my head, just no time to really sit down and put them on paper. One day though.