#young writers

[she-who-fights-and-writes]

Some of you people need to start treating children and teenagers with kindness, especially young writers!! You have to nurture their love for their craft instead of beating it down; young people will quit very quickly if they’re constantly being discouraged.

TREAT YOUNG WRITERS WITH KINDNESS OR I’LL BUST YOUR KNEECAPS!!!!

[jane-alma]

Advice for planning your story

Plotting out a story is an essential step in bringing your ideas to life and creating a compelling narrative. Here are some valuable tips that I personally find helpful to effectively plot out new story ideas <3

1. Start with the basics: Begin by identifying the key elements of your story – the main characters, setting, and central conflict. Understand who your characters are, what they want, and what obstacles they will face. This foundation will serve as a solid starting point for your plot.

2. Outline the major plot points: Once you have a clear understanding of your story's foundation, outline the major plot points. These are the significant events or turning points that drive the story forward. Consider the introduction, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This structure will give your story a sense of direction and progression.

3. Create a timeline: Develop a timeline or sequence of events that organizes the flow of your story. This helps you visualize the progression of events and ensures a logical and coherent narrative. Consider the cause-and-effect relationship between different plot points and how they impact your characters' journey.

4. Use storyboarding or visual aids: Visual aids, such as storyboards or visual diagrams, can be helpful for visual thinkers. Create a visual representation of your story's structure, mapping out the key scenes, character arcs, and plot developments. This can provide a clear overview and help you spot any gaps or inconsistencies.

5. Balance pacing and tension: As you plot out your story, consider the pacing and tension. Ensure that your story has a good balance of slower, introspective moments and high-stakes, action-packed sequences. Introduce obstacles and conflicts that keep readers engaged and eager to turn the pages.

6. Allow for flexibility: While it's important to have a solid plot outline, don't be afraid to deviate or adapt as you write. Sometimes, characters surprise you or new ideas emerge during the creative process. Stay open to these possibilities and be willing to adjust your plot if it serves the story better.

7. Revise and refine: Plotting is an iterative process. Once you have a draft of your plot, review it critically. Look for areas that may need more development, pacing adjustments, or additional conflict. Refine your plot to ensure it aligns with your overall story vision.

Remember, plotting is a guide, not a rigid framework. It's there to help you stay organized and focused, but don't be afraid to let your creativity flow and explore unexpected avenues. With practice and experimentation, you'll become more adept at plotting out your story ideas and creating narratives that captivate readers <3

[heywriters]

What're some things you wish you knew before getting into serious writing (i.e. things before writing a novel, editing large projects, etc.)?

This is an excellent question! I've come to terms with some things, but overall I've had a great time learning. Here are a few things that it would have really helped me to know early on.

Most writing advice doesn't need to be taken THAT seriously. While my writing has improved from listening to and applying writing advice, there was a period of time where I felt anxious over how many things I was doing "Wrong." I overcame this by realizing that not all advice was for me, but for some other writer out there. Also, the act of writing improved my writing more than reading about how to improve my writing ever could.

You're never going to be old enough to write with experience! Tongue-in-cheek, but when I learned that most of my favorite works were written by authors past their 40s, 50s, etc. I realized everything I write now will reflect my current age and inexperience. I accepted that and kept writing anyway. Can't write a masterpiece without writing a few flawed stories first!

Most people who love your story will not understand it like you do. Everyone sees something slightly different, or focuses on stuff you really don't care about. On the other hand, there will be a handful of readers who tell you what your story is actually about and those readers are so much smarter than you and they're the best people ever because they make you feel like an accidental genius.

Publishing is a crazy, competitive, hard work atmosphere. Like most creative endeavors, unfortunately, writing rarely pays the bills. It definitely hasn't paid mine. Do it at your own pace, whether that's being published, self-pub, or just writing at home for your own sanity. It's all good.

Inspiration does just go away. You plan a novel, you love the characters, you think this is going to be The One. And then next week you're over it. You still keep it, but you look back at all those plans and feel a little bad that it didn't get an ending...Actually, I'm glad I didn't know this one. I would have avoided so many projects that taught me useful things.

---

+ If you enjoy my blog and appreciate my advice, please visit my Ko-fi 🤗

[pillofmoonlight]

it's weird how when a child screams they don't feel loved at home and don't feel safe around their family, the first thing that a parent might do is list the number of things they have done for their child instead of asking themselves what made their child feel that way. parents aren't supposed to be strict and feared. when a child walks into this world, they are naive and parents are supposed to be the home and safe space the child looks for when they need help or when things get messed up instead of going "my parents will kill me for this". by engraving your fear into your child's mind, you are just making sure that they to lie to you. i don't know what kind of cruelty we are forcing onto generations by making them fear their own parents. how would they learn love when they never knew what it is? and in a world so cruel and unkind, love is the most important thing we need. not fear.

Parents scare the hell out of their children and then have the audacity to ask "why you put your friends on such a pedestal". well maybe because they taught me love and maybe you should learn how to parent. you can begin from going to therapy and getting your traumas and misconceptions resolved.

[theyoungwritersmind-aristanelson]

[creative-writing-shit]

Tips for New Writers

Read

◇ Reading generally is going to help strengthen your writing a significant amount.

Books

Poems

Short Stories

Novels

Magazines

Etc.

◇ The thing that will be most beneficial to you is going to be if you read what you want to write.

◇ By reading what you aim to write, you will gain a better understanding of the genre or piece's formating, writing styles, and much more.

◇ This doesn't mean copy exactly what you read in your own writing; it simply means: read, analyze, gain ideas, make them your own.

Experience Inspiration

◇ There are plenty of places to experience inspiration.

◇ As mentioned previously, reading through works that relate back to what you plan to write gives you plenty of inspiration for your own writing, whether it be:

Plotlines

Character Development

Writing Styles

Etc.

◇ A lot of the time, inspiration requires a clear - or at least semi-clear - mind.

◇ Inspiration can show up in everyday life experiences as well! It could show up when you:

Go out on a walk

Hold a get-together with friends and/or family

Work

Lay down and stare at the ceiling

And many more scenarios

Honestly, I would love to hear where some of you get your inspiration from!

Post Dividers Credit: @saradika

[starchaserdreams]

Erm, hello!

I am an aspiring writer. I have these stories in my head that I love and want to write about. But when I try, it's the absolute worst shit I've ever seen in my life.

Sorry, what I'm trying to ask is, any tips for younger writers who have no idea what they're doing...?

Hi! I have no idea what I'm doing ever, but I'll try to answer as best as I can. I'll start with generic advice, then say what works for me specifically. Sorry this got so long.

We're all kind of fumbling through life. The writing habits that I have have come from three sources:

a) hearing what other people do and building from them. I'm always in one writers group or another (currently I'm in a local writers group, and I'm regularly involved with two different NaNoWriMo groups in November, one locally and one virtually) and I've picked up a lot from them

b) a metric fuckton of trial and error. Because while part (a) is great some of the time, most of the things that work for other people don't work for me. I can't set a strict schedule at the same time everyday. I can't edit for a long time after I write.

c) NaNoWriMo (see link) helped me SO MUCH. I don't think everything can be written that way, but in terms of getting a handle on your own voice, preventing yourself from stopping to edit, and letting the story flow on its own, NaNo is amazing. It's a great starting point. Editing can come later, once the words are done on the page.

If you're unfamiliar, it's a (totally free) event that happens in November every year where everyone tries to write 50,000 words of a brand new novel in the span of one month. That's 1,667 words per day, so there isn't much time to stop and edit as you go. You just keep going. It's a competition against yourself rather than anyone else, to see if you can accomplish the task. It's also a community based event, so you can commiserate with other writers about the bad and celebrate with them about the good.

They have smaller events in April and July, but to really get the feel of it, November is when it's a party (or a rollercoaster, either way). I went to write-ins in cafes, bars, grocery stores, on the subway, etc. The event is a whole vibe, and now they have in person events again (they paused for covid). If you want to stay virtual, they have that too!

And as for what works for me:

1.

This most certainly wouldn't work for everyone, but it's my current strategy:

I think best when I'm in motion. By far. So most of my storyboarding I do while walking or driving, and I dictate into the notes app on my phone.

I do most of my dialogue this way too, because speaking it out loud makes it feel more like a conversation and more natural. I won't dictate the narration, but I'll include action tags. So it comes out like "Anthony: *flings door open, eyes wide* what in blazes are you doing??" (I add punctuation later)

Then when I get home, I often have several thousand words of notes to work from. My notes file for my last fic was 30k words, almost all of which had been dictated. It's a lot. It might sound daunting.

But it was done while out for a walk or drive, so it felt easy and effortless. And then when it came time to actually write, I got 48,000 words of a first draft done in 8 days (about 15k of which was just copy pasted from the outline. The whole time it felt like cheating and using guidelines to write the actual story, but it was all my original work, just done at different times.

2.

Keep writing as an exciting treat rather than a chore.

I've started to create little writers retreats for myself. My friends and I rented an AirBnB for two nights this winter, where the entire goal was reading and writing. Sure there was sitting around the fire talking and eating good food, but we built it up so that the writing was the exciting part. It worked SO WELL. We did writing activities together too, not just staring at a word doc. We did character studies and made little AUs to imagine our characters in.

A friend and I took a six hour road trip for another writers retreat too. We spent the 12 hours (RT) in the car talking about our stories and characters. We'd started with dozens of prompts so we'd have enough material, and we never ran out. Then we took rest stops at gas stations and restaurants and did little 15 minute writing sprints. It really got me fired up. I wrote 6,000 words over the two days of that retreat!

Keeping writing fun can be big things (my sister and I did a writers retreat like that in Hawaii) or little things (I always treat myself to a donut and a coffee on Sunday mornings and then have a leisurely morning in the cafe writing).

I can't say if any of this will work for you, because I can't even say whether it'll still work for *me* in a few years. But I hope it's food for thought!

Anyway this is like one million words long so sorry about that, hope it was interesting.

[theblazingpoetess]

Petition: A New Valentine's Day

I propose:

Valentine's Day should be in May.

It's the most romantic time of year, anyway.

Birdsong in the air; green, it's everywhere.

The flowers have bloomed and there's not much gloom --

What's not to love about dearest May?

February, the month of love:

Ivory snowdrops and

Budding daffodils shoot up.

There's a promise of beauty, yet

Much lies dormant, hidden below.

The so-called season of romance is found in

Hardened ice and solidified frost under

The protection of boot-laced feet.

Lovers and idle folk yearn for the

Warmth of home and a sense of comfort,

Survival instincts kicking in.

Pink and red fill all the senses with

Product placement and nauseating chocolate boxes,

Cramming every aisle of the supermarket.

(The flowery bouquets are yet another distraction!)

February 14 is a programmed date for the

World to show off love and affection,

But in such coldness in the winter lull.

So, again, I say, let's make a new

Date for Valentine's Day.

In the warmth of the late-spring,

Bridging early summer.

This is when true love is meant to be received;

Grassy picnics in the heat,

Strolling alongside the river bank,

Picking pretty petals hand-in-hand --

It's not as nice in February.

Valentine's Day should be in May.

find me on Instagram: @theblazingpoetess

[nanowrimo]

The Young Writers Initiative: Finding Your Writing Community

The Young Writers Initiative, a.k.a. TYWI, is a non-profit (founded by former NaNoWriMo intern Riya!) that provides resources for high school and college-aged writers through both their website and their on-the-ground chapters program. Today, some of the TYWI members share a little about how their programs help foster creative community:

Writing can often seem like an activity that involves sitting in your room alone, frantically typing on your computer. And yes, sometimes it is, but writing is a passion shared by millions of people around the globe. That means wherever you may be, you can find a community of writers to support you and your journey. This can include a few friends in your locality, an online server of people brought together by a love for writing, or anything in between. Being an active member of such a community means having people to keep you accountable, to bounce ideas off, and to empathize with your struggles as a writer.

Bounded by community, The Young Writers Initiative (TYWI) is dedicated to offering writing resources to help young writers develop their craft. From pre-reading and editing to mentorship opportunities with established authors, TYWI offers a multitude of free services. Volunteering at TYWI is also a great way to get more involved with the writing community! Additionally, TYWI’s Chapters Program helps students start creative writing clubs, forming tight-knit communities of young writers in their localities. 

Running a TYWI Chapter at Hollins University 

By Sophia Kunkel

It has been an honor to watch as the development of the first university chapter of TYWI unfolded on the Hollins campus. This opportunity to grow our branch has strengthened my leadership skills and helped me connect with other writers. The very act of writing is solitary, and it is amazing that The Young Writers Initiative brings together so many people all over the world, challenging the notion that we have to pursue our creative dreams on our own. 

After the founding of Hollins’ chapter, I discovered that the encouragement of a solid and reliable community is essential, regardless of majors, genres, or writing experience. We might do most of our work in our dorm rooms and the library, hunched over our laptops with headphones and sitting in quiet focus, but there is certainly so much benefit from getting together with like-minded, driven peers. Additionally, our virtual discussions with several authors—Cassie Gustafson and Kris Spisak—provided much welcomed insight and wisdom into the world of writing, editing, and publishing. The idea of networking and creating relationships between successful writers and aspiring writers continues to impact our club members as we seek to learn from our panelists and speakers. 

Running a TYWI Chapter at Wenatchee High School 

By Miranda Nayak

I drafted my first novel during the pandemic, spending my free time inside of a story. As months passed, writing’s role in my life evolved. While I had once perceived it as a trusted friend, writing began to feel more like the ghost of a companion—present but not tangible enough to hold on to. I was suddenly desperate for a connection to a writing community.

It was only through discovering The Young Writers Initiative's Summer Write-a-Thon that I realized how many other people my age were passionate about creative writing. While isolated in my home, I felt more connected to others than I had since beginning my writing journey.

The most gratifying part of starting a TYWI chapter has been feeling those connections within my high school. Spending an entire lunch period discussing craft, completing writing sprints, or talking about writing struggles together has shown me that writing does not have to be a lonely hobby. The members of my chapter inspire and motivate me to keep writing; they are invaluable partners. I can already see the beginnings of creative innovation and collaboration that will blossom in tandem with the meaningful connections that our TYWI chapter fosters.

All in all, building a writing community makes the craft even more enjoyable than it already is. If you are interested in starting a TYWI chapter at your school or library, we encourage you to apply at tywi.org/chapters. 

Yessica Jain is a high school junior from New Jersey. An avid reader, she has always been in love with the magic of words. When she started creative writing in sixth grade, she quickly discovered she could wield the same magic with passion, hard work, and time. Since then, she has written short stories in various genres and a fantasy novel titled The Prison of Magic. Learn more about Yessica and read her weekly writing blog at yessicajain.com.

Lydia Wang is someone who loves stories so much, she decided to create her own. She writes magic—plant mages singing to bluebells, silver rings laced with protective spells, paper cranes that come to life as you fold them. She has been recognized by Iowa Young Writers’ Studio (‘21 & ‘22) and published in Ice Lolly, Metaphysical Review, and more. When not starting her thirty-first story, Lydia can be found tracing shapes into the clouds.

Sophia Kunkel is a literature-lovin’ college sophomore at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. She loves nature walks, has endless enthusiasm for the Beatles, and adores her troublesome mini Goldendoodle, Bielka {the space dog}. Sophia writes primarily speculative fiction and fantasy. Her debut self-published novel, Starless Skies and Broken Dreams, can be found on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Readers can find her at sophiakunkel.com or writinglife.blog. 

Miranda Nayak is a high school senior from central Washington State. In addition to being involved in robotics, she loves running her school’s Equity Club and playing the cello. She is an avid reader and adores writing fantasy and science fiction stories. You can find her on Instagram @barrybookish or on her website https://mirandanayakwritin.wixsite.com/website.

[defnot-naurr]

when u have over 1000 pins on your Pinterest for your characters-a six hours playlist and 30 unorganized ideas of dialogues/scenes also-and eve THE FREAKING PLOT PLANNED BUT U CANT JUST REMEMBER HOW TO WRITE.

[opheliapenning]

There was something deep and dark inside her that spoke only in whispers, so quiet that everyone else chose to ignore it. Just the wind, they would say. Nothing to worry about. But it never scared me. There, inside her, lay the truth, a truth she barely understood. But the closer you leaned in, the louder those whispers became, until it was all but a war cry.

You came back. I always knew you were a good man. 

I’m not sorry. 

Would you sail to the ends of the earth and beyond to fetch back witty Jack and him precious pearl? Yes.

[jane-alma]

Advice for dealing with writer’s block, from a fellow writer

Okay, so I think we can all agree that writer's block sucks. And if you're someone who writes regularly, there's no way to avoid experiencing it from time to time (I sure know I do). But here are a few things that I usually find helpful when I experience writer’s block <3

Firstly, give yourself permission to take a break. Sometimes, the harder we push ourselves to write, the more elusive inspiration becomes. Step away from your writing for a little while and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This could be anything from going for a walk, reading a book, or indulging in a hobby. By taking time to recharge, you allow your mind to reset and open up to new ideas. Sometimes it can be an longer break that is needed, sometimes the best way to get back into writing if you have a really bad case of writer’s block is to simply not try.

Another useful technique is to try freewriting. Set a timer for a specific duration, it can be as short as 10-15 minutes (personally, I prefer setting my timer for about half an hour to 45 minutes when I do this), and write continuously without worrying about grammar, punctuation, or structure. Let your thoughts flow freely onto the page. This exercise can help loosen up your creative muscles and break through any mental barriers. If you know that you have a tendency to overthink or be overly self critical when you write, I suggest avoiding a time duration longer than 30 minutes, at least the first times you do this exercise.

If you find yourself stuck on a particular project, consider working on something completely different. Switching gears and exploring a new topic or genre can provide a fresh perspective and alleviate the pressure you may be putting on yourself. Experimenting with different writing styles or formats can also help reignite your passion for storytelling.

Collaboration can be another effective way to overcome writer's block. Engage in writing exercises with fellow writers or seek feedback from trusted peers. Sharing your work-in-progress and receiving constructive criticism can often provide valuable insights and new directions for your writing.

Lastly, it's important to remember that writer's block is a natural part of the creative process. Be patient and kind to yourself. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk. Instead, focus on nurturing your creativity through self-care, reading, and exploring new experiences. Trust that inspiration will return in its own time.

And most importantly of all, be kind to yourself. We are usually our own biggest critic. Happy writing! <3

[imaginaryinkweaver]

Meet Me

I am Richa Maheshwari. An ordinary name with not-so-ordinary dreams. I have a thirst to prove myself. By the way, I am 15 years old. Living in Amritsar. I always have a soft spot for people who write stories, poems, and Blogs. I am open to opinions, ideas, And feedback!  I wish you love my writings and get attached to them. Please help me to get more finer. 

With Regards 

.

~RM(Richa Maheshwari)

[luvrdotcom]

Unmet soul

He looked at me with the kindest eyes, the shyest smile and made me wonder if he thought about me with a flustered heart.

He got closer, our skin touched and his stare lingered on my lips. Does he also dream about me?

I see him everyday, it's innevitable: To not fall in love with someone so bright.

I've been down this path before: Two souls so interconnected no man on earth could've made the match.

This goes deeper than the ocean and higher than the sky. Wider than the Universe and stronger than the tides.

But maybe that's all in my mind and not yours, since it seems your heart is far away.

It makes sense it's not reciprocated: how could a man so fun love a soul so distraught? so angry? so cold? A body so stiff? so broad? so unyielding?

The body i've recieved could only be cared for by a loving mother, so I understand if I am an underdog in a fight I cannot win.

Yet my thoughts grow wide and my sadness shines, and the only thing I can ask is: is your heart big enough to love mine?

[creative-writing-shit]

Tips for New Writers

Do Not Stress

◇ There is often a line that I need to repeat to myself as a writer:

Writing is supposed to be fun.

◇ If you stress yourself out over it, then the fun aspect of it disappears; it will seem more like work and a hassle than it does a fun hobby or activity.

◇ Of course, you can also make writing a part of your career, but then then, it shouldn't cause you an over-amount of stress.

Even as a career, writing should be fun.

◇ Listen to yourself. Set goals, but stay in tune with yourself as well.

◇ If you have a goal to write xxx by xxx date, then I certainly encourage you to meet that! However, life happens - things become stressful naturally sometimes.

◇ Don't add more stress by trying to meet a "deadline."

Be Kind to Yourself

◇ Writing may be fun, but can 100% be difficult as well.

◇ Say it with me:

"Things are not always going to turn out the way you originally planned them to."

You will need to take detours.

◇ If you don't get something right the first time, don't beat yourself up about it.

◇ You are not any less of an incredible writer if you make a mistake; all of the best authors, poets, creative writers, etc. have made mistakes!

◇ The best thing you can do is take a step back, learn from it, and try again.

◇ Shakespeare didn't become successful and famous overnight.

Post Divider Credit: @saradika

[theblazingpoetess]

Welcome :)

Welcome to my new blog, @theblazingpoetess.

About me:

Country: UK

Age: 22

Goal: To connect with others and share my writings.

What my writing is about:

Personal experiences

Societal dilemmas

Random thoughts

A little backstory...

Formerly @words-by-sydney

I had a WordPress blog for a while

Writing has always been something I enjoy doing

Fun fact: I write for several UK magazines!

I hope to see some new and old faces around here and look forward to starting sharing my writings with you all. :)

P.S. I am also on Instagram as @ theblazingpoetess