I really want to get into writing, but I have no idea where to even start! What's your advice to help me get started?
Simple: Ask yourself what you want to write. Every story starts with an idea, and every idea leads to another. It doesn't have to be profound or well-organized. Just test the waters a bit. Spread your wings. This is the time to really get to know your creative process. Do you like planning things out or writing without a plan? Do you prefer developing characters or plots first? Writing is a skill that needs to be developed, and the only way you do that is by trying. Just remember, there is no right way to write. Find your creative process and own it.
My creative process always starts with something random. It could be a song or a dream I had. This sparks the beginnings of the world I want, and that's when I start thinking about my main character. I create their relationships I'm a sucker for found family, so it's typically platonic/familial relationships soon after since character relationships are extremely important to me. It usually stops there for a while until I gather more inspiration that fits, slowly building that world until I have enough to write about. All of this goes in a document, so even if it sits for years untouched, it's still there when I think about it again. My family calls me a lore goblin for a reason.
I just went through a really bad breakup, and now I feel like I can't write romance the way I used to. Is there anything I can do to start writing romance again?
So sorry to hear that. It never hurts to take a break. If anything, this sounds like a perfect time to try out a new genre or create a story that doesn't have romance at all. Maybe try focusing on other personal connections like platonic and familial love. But in the end, is it really such a bad thing you can't write or see romance the way you used to? As you grow and experience life, everything changes bit by bit, and it's perfectly ok to feel loss for a time that's moved on. Use that. Write yourself a happy ending or ponder how it has changed you. Explore those feelings through your writing. Perhaps you'll find healing through it. And be gentle to yourself as you process these emotions.
I really like fantasy books, so I really wanted to write my own, but I am struggling with worldbuilding. Do you have any advice on how I go about creating a world?
Three things: Location, people, and conflict. Those are the absolute basics of worldbuilding. Start with the little things essential to the story, like important locations, your main cast of characters, and what trials your character(s) is/are facing. This then can become landscapes, towns, and societal rivalries. Or, if you're not quite sure what the little details are yet, you could start big. Regions, races, and governments, for example.
Need a visual? Try making a map on Inkarnate or a map generator. Have trouble keeping everything organized? Programs like World Anvil and Campfire's got your back. And no need to have everything planned out if that's what's stopping you. You can flesh out everything later.
I am a rubbish speller, and my grammar isn't the best, but I really want to write. Is there any point in trying?
That is the beauty of autocorrect and writing programs. I don't think I know anyone who hasn't used Grammarly or something similar at least once. With programs like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Hemingway, etc., you no longer need to worry about those things. Better yet, the more you write, the better you'll get in both spelling and grammar.
I can never finish a story. I seem to always get bored halfway through writing. Do you have any techniques to help me stay engaged with my own work?
There are many ways to deal with this. Some push onward, accepting they won't be happy with it until they pick up steam again. Others skip ahead to write a scene they're excited to write. If you're anything like me, you might put that story down, either temporarily or forever. But never delete your drafts. Some of my best stories are the result of 2-3 failed drafts mashed together, and I have an extensive library of inspiration if I find myself stuck.
In my opinion, however, this problem arises when you have a character issue. Your main character or cast of characters is the star of your show, regardless of whether your book is character or plot-motivated. Your characters need to want something, and it's your job as a writer to put them through hell for it.
I can never plan my work. It always feels like I am forcing it. Am I going to write incoherent books because of this?
Probably, but that's half the fun! I would recommend you at least write down key information so you don't contradict yourself later, but are outlines strictly necessary to write a successful, coherent novel? Nope. Skip around; scribble ideas in the margins; disregard old ideas for new ones. Writing should be fun! As long as you fill the plot holes later (most of them, at least), it'll come together in the end.
I have never been in love before, but I really want to write a romance book. Will my lack of experience and real-world knowledge show in my writing?
Do it. I believe in you. No experience? Ask someone what it's like to be in love. Learn what love means to you. Read romance books! As a society, I feel like we forget we know what love is more than we think we do. The love of a parent, the love of a child, a friend, or a pet. Couples walk hand-in-hand down the street. Old friends meet at coffee shops. A child hugs their cat. As long as there's deep care, joy, companionship, security, respect, patience, sorrow, and devotion through thick and thin, that is love. As much of the bad that's in this world, the good always finds a way to shine through. Even if you feel like you have never experienced love in any capacity, you could certainly learn to appreciate it. Besides, if you really want to write a romance novel, you must already be a romantic at heart.
When I started writing, I wasn't too busy at work. But now, I got a promotion, and I feel so tired after work. I have no time to write. Then on weekends, I have to keep my house together and running. How can I work writing into my busy schedule?
You're in good company. Change is exhausting. Let yourself adjust. When you feel ready, you can always start off small. Section off time specifically to write it doesn't have to be much or give yourself a daily word goal. That could be two hundred words, one hundred words, or a sentence. What really matters is that you're writing something. Any progress is better than no progress at all.
Speaking as a psychology major, if you still feel overwhelmed and you really want to fit writing in, you may need to make some sacrifices. Overcommitment leads to burnout, and burnout leads to a vicious cycle of exhaustion. Take a break. Set boundaries. Seek support from family, friends, or a professional. Reassess your needs and wants, and work from there. And for the love of new books, get yourself some self-care!
I recently had a fight with some of my school friends, and now nobody will hang out with me. How do I stop myself from feeling so alone?
Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that! Loneliness is defined as when your needs for social interaction and human connection go unmet, so naturally, one of the first steps could be joining a community. Maybe specifically a reading or writing community since that's what we all have in common on Wattpad. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Listen to music to fill the space, take a walk, practice a hobby, take a break from social media, practice mindfulness and gratitude, make every social interaction count, and most of all, remind yourself that this isn't permanent. If all else fails, talk to someone you trust a parent, sibling, or other relative you're close toâ€"or the school counselor. Take care of yourself and your mental health. I hope this helps, and I hope you feel better soon!
I hate my job and get no enjoyment from it, but when I write it's the opposite. Should I quit my job and just pursue writing full-time?
I totally agree to quit your job, but I wouldn't necessarily jump headfirst into full-time writing. One, writing as a career can be incredibly thankless. If you don't have a publisher backing you up, you gotta be your own editor, publisher, and marketer. And all those things take money. Two, it takes time to find a literary agent (for traditional publishing) or for you to gain any traction (for self-publishing). Ghostwriting might be the most stable out of the options, but not all writers can be ghostwriters. Some of the most well-known writers worked a day job, and I recommend you do the same until you know you can make a living wage.
I have finished my book, and I really want to get it professionally edited and published. I have looked online, but I can't find anything. Do you know where the best place to look would be?
Unfortunately, some of my recommendations may not apply to everyone since I live in the US. But, I do know of some sites.
First, is Reedsy. I haven't used the full extent of their services (alas, I am a broke college student), but from what I know, it's a fairly intuitive site. There's an extensive list of professionals, and it's easy to see their credentials. Not to mention, Reedsy has a blog with all sorts of articles about how to choose any professional and what your budget would look like.
Next, I'd look up editing and literary agencies. It's really up to you to research who would be the best fit (and if you're feeling extra ambitious, look up your favorite book's editor and literary agent).
Lastly, I'd recommend looking through Jane Friedman's website (janefriedman.com). She's written so many blogs about the publishing process, both traditional and self-publishing, as well as other writing-related advice.
Side note, DO NOT FALL FOR A VANITY PUBLISHER. If you have to pay to get your book published, run. The only thing you should be expected to pay for is an editor, or at the very least, a quality proofreader, so your book looks near publish-ready before presenting it to a literary agent. You should NEVER pay a publisher to publish your book. And since we're on Wattpad, I'm sure everyone has gotten a message from Webnovel, Hinovel, A&D Entertainment, etc. While you don't pay them to "promote" your work on their website, nearly all of their contracts are terrible, either having you sign away your rights over your work or contracting you to keep up with an impossible schedule. Writer Beware (writerbeware.blog) is your best friend in this situation. They have a long list of bad companies and bad contracts. If you're unsure if it's a good deal, check with their blog. You'll find out very quickly how awful these companies can be. Don't get scammed, people!