Writing Tips

Hunnydew's GUIDELINES in WRITING :)

Here are some  tips that helped me in my quest to write stuff.. haha

Credits to Ate Denny aka HaveYouSeenThisGirl because I got most of the tips from her... just translating it to English.. ahaha

 Sa mga Pilipinong magbabasa neto... yung Filipino version nasa next chapter. Pramis, parehas lang ang content :) although, pwede nyo pa rin basahin toh, wag nyo lang akong sisihin pag ni-nosebleed kayo.. hahaha

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"Anyone can write because I believe that writing is a skill that can be learned. Anyone can become a great writer if he/she puts his/her heart into learning the ropes."

**DON'T PLAGIARIZE. It's not a tip... this is a must. Authors have worked hard in writing their stories. You absolutely have no right to copy or imitate what they've written and pass it on as your original work. Give credit to the author/s if you can't think of your own plot and ended up writing almost exactly the same thing and just changed the names of the characters/places etc... or better yet.. call it 'fanfiction' instead.

It's common courtesy people.

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1) WRITE FROM EXPERIENCE. If you're writing for the very first time, either because you were inspired, you just want to try for the heck of it or what not... it's better if you write something which you have gone through.. that way, more people may be able to relate with your story or blog.

My first completed story here in wattpad... is actually my own love story.. hahahaha XD It's written in Tagalog/Filipino though.. hehehe.

2) READ. As in, read lots of books of famous authors, or wattpad stories. It will help you think of your own plot to work on and you will learn many things about writing styles. Usually, reading books will help you realize what genre you're more inclined to write. I personally think that the greatest writers of all times are book lovers :) Also, if ever you encounter the so-called 'writer's block' reading others' works will help you get the momentum back.

Or if you would like to write an entirely new genre that's not your forte, reading books of the genre you want to write will help you get on track :) that's what I did when I suddenly thought about writing a non-sparkly vampire story.. hahahaha :D

3) HAVE A WORKING OUTLINE. This is highly advisable so you would have something to guide you while you work on your story. It'll be easier to overcome the writer's block too. You don't have to be detailed about it since more probably, you might add some more stuff along the way. However, I suggest that you indicate the main points/scenarios that will happen per chapter so you wouldn't get lost or have your chapter jumping from one thought to another.

I'm having a hard time writing a chapter that I haven't written an outline for. -__- so I really start with creating an outline for the chapter I'm working on, and just let my mind just churn out ideas. When I'm done, I slash out things that are not connected to the topic for the chapter and just put them on reserve.. because they might be useful in other chapters.. hehehe.

Sorry.. I'm obsessive-compulsive when it comes to writing. You don't have to do this if you want your story to be spontaneous :D hahahah

4) HAVE A PEN AND PAPER ON-HAND EVERYWHERE YOU GO. I swear, this helped me a lot. You wouldn't know when an idea for a good plot may pop out of nowhere. If you don't have one, your phone may as well serve as a notepad. Just so you could record a good idea before it floats away and be forgotten.

As for me, I couldn't sleep when something pops in my head that I can use for my story.. so I get up and type it in... and I end up not sleeping because I get carried away and I already suddenly find myself writing the whole chapter.. hahaha  v(^-^)>

Here's what DianneGreenlay6 (author of QuintSpinner which won several awards) have to say about this tip (also found in the comments section): "...Old school, I guess, but the paper never gets deleted by accident and the pen never crashes. I have notebooks just for this purpose."

5) OBSERVE PEOPLE, LISTEN TO CONVERSATIONS (credits to HaveYouSeenThisGirl). I don't mean 'eavesdrop' on other people's talks -___- I'm actually pertaining to people you know talking to you. Learn their mannerisms, know the way their minds work, their habits. What you'll get might be useful in developing your characters :) 

Some of my characters are based on real persons.. I won't tell who though.. hahaha

6) DON'T WRITE WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE WRITING. Otherwise, you won't be satisfied with the chapter you're working on. Don't force your brain cells to think of something to write when you're not in the mood. Again, read books when this happens. It'll get your creative juices running again soon.

I really do this. When I'm bored and not in the mood to write, I just read stuff, or talk to people, or watch television... you know.. do something that will get your mind off the story you're working on for now. Sooner or later, your creative juices will kick in anyways. XD

7) DRAFT YOUR CHAPTER FIRST BEFORE POSTING. This is to avoid errors and having you edit the story so many times after posting it because that's hella tiring. -__- Just let your hands type what your mind dictates.. THEN, re-read your work and correct what needs to be corrected. Don't just post just because you're done writing, there's a reason why there are proof-readers.

8) FOLLOW BASIC GRAMMAR AND WRITING RULES. Like what HaveYouSeenThisGirl said,capitalize proper nouns, and every first word that begins a sentence. Be consistent with your tenses. Watch your subject-verb agreement: when the subject is singular.. make sure your verb is in singular form, etc etc. Reading a story with too may grammatical errors is distracting and turns readers off. Of course you won't be able to spot other mistakes... just be sure your errors are tolerable. If you're having a difficult time, doing this, get an editor :) I believe there are proof-reading/editing services being offered in wattpad clubs.

This is why drafting your story is highly advisable :D

9) AVOID CHATSPEAK/TEXTSPEAK. -___- Just like how HaveYouSeenThisGirlsaid, I don't know how to stress this more. In the first place, do you know a famous writer that uses CHATSPEAK in his/her books? Use it if there's a need (example: if the character actually sends/receive a text from someone, then that's acceptable). But if the format is used for the entire story.. you'll lose readers and might even get hate comments or harsh critiques. If you want to be a famous writer... then write as if you're already a professional writer.

How would you feel if you're reading a whole story in this format??(credits to Urban Dictionary): lyke omgzz hai grrlfren!!!1!1!1one ohemgee lyke eye saw diz grrl upp 2 da m@ll n she wuz lyke omgzzz u suk n i wuz lyke waaaa!!! :'( Will g2g l8rr!!!1!!1 oxox

That seriously might give me brain cancer. -___-"

10) KEEP THE AUTHOR'S COMMENTS TO A MINIMUM. Or if you can avoid it, DON'T put your own comments inside the story. It's annoying to read the character actually conversing with the author in the middle of the chapter. Or if you can't help it at all.. write it before and/or after the body of the chapter.

What's the use of the comments section in the first place? -__-

Again.. if you've read..say... the Harry Potter series... did you come across JK Rowling speaking to the characters??? Might as well make yourself a character in the story if you're going to converse with your own fictional characters here and there. -__-

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And.... that's it v(^-^)v hope this helps :D

If you have other questions.. please place them in the comments section :) and I'll do the research for you :D hehehe