Other [Issue 26] The art of writing

[Fen-Harel 1,176]

Considering some the most recent newspaper contests were highly connected to writing and storytelling, I decided to write a somewhat informative guide on how to do it properly. Like everything, writing requires a certain amount of talent which not everyone has. Some people simply cannot write and, although can improve with effort, won't reach what other talented people can do naturally. However those who want to be one of the better writers, need to have a passion for it, they need to experience the story they're telling, know the topic they're explaining.

 

Introduction

               

Writing is an art of painting a picture inside a person's mind. Your tools are words you place on paper and using your own imagination. You can create worlds never seen before, ones where your rules apply. By writing you can explain something to many people at once without having to repeat yourself. Your writing immortalizes your thoughts, makes it accessible to anyone at any time. Of course this requires clear use of your own vocabulary, ability to directly explain certain events and describe areas so that others may see them. I will try to give a few guidelines as to how this is done and how I, myself, managed to fall in love with this art.

 

Writing and storytelling

               

These two are obviously not the same thing. Even though they are connected, they do not depend on one another. However it is also clear that together they achieve the biggest success. To elaborate, writing is used for many different purposes and it is used in a way respective to the situation. Whether it be guides, essays or shopping lists, there is a certain way you write it.

Storytelling, using oral language, on the other hand is a more dynamic thing. It's used to share experiences both true and fictional. You can imagine people sitting in room, sharing stories with each other. There was a fault in that method however. After someone has finished narrating, no one could repeat it completely, details would always be changed, some parts forgotten. This is why people started writing down their stories, so that many people have the chance to read them in their prime. To sum it all up, writing is used to explain a lot of things, along with the one I'll explain the most here which is storytelling.

 

Getting started

               

Whether you write guides or stories, one of the most important things you have to know is how to use words. The larger your vocabulary is, the easier you'll find the appropriate words to describe something. Normally people with English as their main language will have this step easier than others. The best way I've found to expand my use of words is reading. For starters read anything, newspaper, comics, it doesn't matter if it's the sticker on the back of a shampoo. After a while start reading books, whichever genre you like. As the time passes you'll see significant improvement.

 

What to write?

               

Most people get into a situation when they just can't think of anything to write. Whether it be a guide or a story. This is quite normal and common and there's no real reason to worry about it. You shouldn't force yourself to write if the inspiration isn't there. It simply doesn't work and the quality of the article will be reduced. When I'm in this creative block I normally play some relaxing music to help me think. Now, if you're writing a guide, think of how you would show tips to a friend. Think of all the things you do that give you the advantage over your opponent, even if they're only minor ones.

If you're going to write a good story, you'll need to be creative. In my view a good plotline defines a story, and no matter how well it's written, if it's not interesting and meaningful, I'll hardly read it. A plot needs to somewhat resemble life. It shouldn't be linear, it has to have some twists and turns along the way. Side events and other opportunities. In order to achieve this a plot needs to have potential to later open up. You need to create a large enough frame for all the events to take place. Next you'll need memorable characters, each one will need a past and their own view of things. Give them individual characteristics and motivations. The greatest of books always have a memorable character that displays both the normal human view and their own, a bit more original one.

 

Visualizing

               

This is the technique I use for describing surroundings. You need to play your story as if it was a movie in your head. See the entire area and all the movement, see the reactions of characters. Write all of it down, every detail. The desired effect is that when the reader sees the story, he gets the same image in his head. To ensure this, read what you wrote again, check if you describe everything and if you didn't correct it. Always revise at least three times, you might come up with some additional stuff to write. Perhaps this requires a bit more imagination, but for those who aspire to be better writers, I feel it's necessary.

 

Continuing the plot

               

By now the plot of your story needs to be developed in your head. You should try to think of as many key events as you can that will be vital to the story. Thinking ahead will make events more connected, especially if you're careful and follow the smaller details along the way. After you think of the key plot points, start working on branching out side events and some off topic dialogue with your characters. Dialogue is the most useful feature to describe a characters personality. Try to add some meaning behind even the most simple conversations, hidden emotions and such.

 

Perspective

               

When you start to tell a story, you immediately have a choice to make. You can tell the story in first (I looked up) or in third person (He looked up). The perspective you choose can help you in your later storytelling. However both have their advantages and disadvantages. When using the first person perspective it feels more natural, the events can have emotion in them and areas can be described subjectively depending on the character (if, for example, the character is in love with a girl, he'll describe her as if she's perfect rather than in a objective way). On the other hand, the third person perspective makes the plot of the story develop easier since the character doesn't have to witness everything himself for the story to be told. You can shift to other characters and follow their storyline rather than stick to only one. This lacks the subjective description of the first person perspective, so you might have to think of better ways to show emotion in the story. The bottom line is that whichever one you choose will shape your story, but the choice is completely up to you. Pick whichever you like more, and if you feel good writing it, chances are other people will find it interesting as well.

 

Conclusion

               

In the end the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy what you do. Don't turn writing into a chore, have it be your hobby. Something you do when you're bored, something that lets you relax and entertain your mind while creating never before seen worlds. And if you finally finish your work, there's no harm in sharing it with other people. Good luck in your future writings.

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

Too long,I will read it in free time :D

[Superlative 500]

This is not long. I've read it like in three minutes. It's good.But if you had more information, it'd have been an inspiration the readers.

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

This is not long. I've read it like in three minutes. It's good.But if you had more information, it'd have been an inspiration the readers.

Your reading speed will be much faster than me :P

[DarkOperative 5,580]

It might be a nice idea to Highlight the topics. Easy to jump into the one you need to read with great enthusiasm.

[canadarules 1,938]

Good article :)

 

Not sure why you have an inked feather pen...we use ball point pens :P

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

Good article :)

 

Not sure why you have an inked feather pen...we use ball point pens :P

Lol :P.

[The_PlayMaker 657]

You did the best thing to make this article....

[jokersus.cava 1,503]

Hmmm, that topic made me think...

Do I have "writing talent"?

[blackopspaul 753]

^ Same after reading this I thought about it long and hard do I like writing? I did once but , I lost my writing talent, its gone :/ But I have it in there somewhere and I am not interested in a job as a reporter (I might change my mind I could love writing later)

---

Great topic. A bit of a long read but it was worth it thanks fen!

+1

Edited September 7, 2014 by blackopspaul

[TIMI 1,080]

This Topic Says it all ! One of the best ones , this is one of the main reasons I have been trying to be a reporter ;(

[ALEKSEJ0077 150]

The first things i read Writing is an art of painting the person's mind . Well if that is right my mind would be an Asylum.

Edited September 7, 2014 by ALEKSEJ0077

[qinwan9 125]

Very helpful!Very helpful!

bravo*

Edited September 11, 2014 by qinwan9

[Kelty 422]

Blah Blah

[Superlative 500]

Not much of a lengthy one, though it'll suffice.

[Remaine 4,687]

^ Quality over quantity. I guess length can play a part when writing an article, but it's nowhere near as fundamental as quality, which is top-notch here, despite the fact a small dude wrote it - good job, Fen

[GoldRock 6,165]

^ Quality over quantity. I guess length can play a part when writing an article, but it's nowhere near as fundamental as quality, which is top-notch here, despite the fact a small dude wrote it - good job, Fen

^Agreed.

[jazz20 1,181]

Nice :)