PROBLEMS with your writing? Here's some WRITING ADVICE from an award winning teen writer!

Blog post written by: Meilun

Writing can be very frustrating sometimes, to both beginners and advanced authors. Trust me, sometimes I want to punch a hole in my computer, we've all been there. But I got some methods to deal with issues like writers block, what genre to write, and how to improve your writing. I hope that some of my hacks will inspire you to start writing, or to improve the stuff that you write. Now let's go explore some common questions and problems most writers come across.

1. Writer's Block

Ah yes we've all been there. When your brain feels as empty as your computer screen/ paper. It sucks that you can't think of anything worth writing about, or even worse for me, when you are in the middle of a project and don't know how to finish it. It seems impossible to get anything done, and it is, when your brain is as dry as your lips ( cause you're dehydrated and forgot that you need to drink water due to your writing dilemma.) But fret not, not all hope is gone. Usually, when I get writers block, I stop writing for a while. Nothing. Not a sentence, not a word, zilch. I try something new like going on a hike in a faraway park, listen to some new music while walking my dog or checking out a new mall. Anything to get your mind off of writing. I find that after you put down your pen and paper for a whole weekend, your brain gets pumped up with fresh ideas and new perspectives, because you have experienced new and exciting things.

2. Improving Your Work

Maybe you are working on a new project or rereading some of your recent works, and you think to yourself DAMN that was bad. Maybe a few days/ weeks ago when you were writing your work, you thought that it was the best thing you have ever written. But now, your language choice, technique or plot line just feel stale or in need of improvement. So what should you do? READ. Just read. You don't need to attend a writing masterclass, or take a hiatus from your writing, or try a new genre. Just read. Read the books you love, new books you have yet to explored, read everything. And when you do, just notice how the author writes. Read like a writer, that will help expand your vocabulary and freshen up your style a lot. That way, when you crack open a new project, you will notice how much your works have improved and no longer feel stale and over recycled.

3. How to Start

Are you just someone wanting to give writing a go, or are you someone who wants to start a new project but just don't know what's the most effective way to start. Well based on how I roll, there have been one beginning method that really worked for me. When I began to write, I would always criticize every idea that came to mind. Every detail, every sentence, every word was scrutinized. And that, was the reason that I often couldn't come up with new stuff, or was never able to work on an idea. DON'T JUDGE YOU'RE IDEAS WHEN YOU BRAINSTORM. It's called a brainstorm for a reason. It's messy and it's quick, and like a storm, you have to empty every single droplet of idea onto that page. No matter how crazy, no matter how bad, just write it down as long as it's an idea. That is because when you scrutinize your ideas when you begin, it limits you're writing and your creative flow. So don't judge, just pour it all out on the page.

4. What Genre to Write

For those who are worrying about what genre to start in, this is for you. You're probably thinking, " if I am a beginner, what should I write?". Don't worry, I have a simple way of deciding which path you're going down. Write what you're into. That's it. There is no specific style that would benefit beginners more. Just write what you are passionate about! For example, if you love to read short sci-fi stories, than write short sci-fi stories. If you love music, then write your own! Yes, even songwriting is a form of writing. I write my own songs as well. If you love reading poetry or watching spoken work, then write poetry. Whatever you're into, just write that. If you let your passion decide the direction that your writing is going, then you are more inclined to like what your write and to work harder on that piece of writing. As well, if you write what you love, then you probably have a stronger grasp on what that genre should look like. So just reflect on your hobbies and relate that to literature.