Writing Tips I've Gathered as a Teen Writer

Hey Besties! Lord knows that I have not written something like this in a while and instead talking about certain topics on my podcast as it is q quicker format to get out my thoughts but here I am. In this very lovely post, I will be giving you some tips that I have picked up.

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Sections

^ ONE - outlines, planning

^ TWO - How to get better at writing

^ THREE - book covers, descriptions, basic tips

^FOUR - motivation & inspiration, writer's block

^FIVE - how to be focused

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^ ONE

This one is more for those of you who are writing long pieces of work like books and not short stories/scenes.< like what you know as 'Imagines' on TikTok > Have a detailed plan or outline of what will be happening. I started off writing on Wattpad and trust me the first-ever book I had started was absolutely trash. Yes, I said started because I didn't finish it it was that bad.

I do not remember what it was called and I deleted it from Wattpad completely. One of the issues, why it sucked so much, is there was no beforehand planning. I basically went out on a whim. Do you know what's worse? There was no initial idea or even plotline.

How do you essentially fix this?

You use tools, websites, and apps like Microsoft, Pinterest, Google Docs, Canva, and a newly added tool that I use - Miro.

Miro (it is mostly free) is like a whiteboard app but it has tools that are perfect for planning out and visualizing your characters, plots, scenery and more. Some authors like to use actual whiteboards and they have sticky notes and such.

Planning involves things such as:

Character traits - name, age, nicknames, flaws, their looks, background information that you can use at some point in your book, going on Pinterest and finding your character aesthetics, what they like & don't like, trauma that they went through which may explain why they are the way that they are, any pets that they have. You are designing personalities. You can use the people around you, friends and families, to help flesh out and make your characters more relatable or realistic.

Pinterest and Canva can go hand-in-hand. Pinterest has many pictures that you can use to visualize themes, characters, and sceneries for your book. Canva is where you can put those pictures together and make something like a vision board. You do have to pay for some features on Canva but you can use other websites to overcome those limits like background eraser. The specific one that I have linked can be used as a website or an app and it is free and works well. Canva is great for making book covers as well. These websites/apps are pretty helpful.

I have a Pinterest board that has tips, character aesthetics, plot quotes, and more. It's called Writer Tingz < Click on the text to view it >

Websites to help you:

- https://www.epicgames.com/id/login?response_type=code&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fmetahuman.unrealengine.com%2Feos-login-redirect&scope=basic_profile&client_id=xyza7891OORp4qeFMsqG8MGwJLsun9Tb

- https://app.justsketch.me/

- https://www.artbreeder.com/browse

- https://inkarnate.com/

^ TWO

This section tackles how to get better at writing. I'm sure you know the saying - "Practice makes perfect." You may have heard this from a teacher, parent or even a religious leader. The point is that the saying isn't wrong. I use this very same website as practice. I post the short stories and scenes that I have written on here. The more you write the better you can become at it.

Also, It doesn't hurt to research. Researching crucial things that are vital in your story is important. You can't write a book where the main lead is a doctor or the book is about the character being a doctor and have no knowledge or have done no research for your book. Creative wring pieces are just better when the writer seems to know what they are talking about and has reliable information. You have Google and a bunch of sources, use them to your advantage.

Join a writing community. That community can be on any social media platform. There are many platforms such as Discord, Instagram, Tumblr, and Tiktok. There are discord servers that are made for and by writers. You can ask for opinions, tips and share your work on there.

Use websites that can help you to level up your writing. Find alternative words for common ones - synonyms and have good grammar. Remember to use quotation marks. I remember when there was a time I used to absolutely despise them and did not use them. It just makes your work look tacky if you don't use them for dialogues.

You can try different writing styles and widen your knowledge on these things. Make sure you read as much as you write. Reading other works can show you what is a big no-no and what is okay. What you don't like as a reader, you shouldn't put it in your work - that should help you write better.

Branch out in different genres to see what sticks for you. Maybe you've always written romance and you tried mystery and you actually better at writing it than romance.

You can enter different writing contests or competitions. It will provide you with practice and motivate you to put out good work as you want to win and it may provide you with positive feedback. I personally have never tried one of these as I don't like to be boxed up in any way. What I mean by this is I don't want a deadline, being told a topic to choose from, and simple things like these. I go with the flow and let my creativity guide me.

Don't be afraid to ask other writers about certain things, especially if they specialize in a genre you are trying out. This is how you learn things and improve yourself.

Websites & Chrome extensions to help you:

- Word Hippo

- https://www.thesaurus.com/

- https://coolsymbol.com/

- https://www.fontsforinstagram.com/

- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-translate/aapbdbdomjkkjkaonfhkkikfgjllcleb

- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-dictionary-by-goog/mgijmajocgfcbeboacabfgobmjgjcoja

- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/grammarly-grammar-checker/kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen

- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/instant-dictionary-by-goo/mfembjnmeainjncdflaoclcjadfhpoim

- https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/power-thesaurus/hhnjkanigjoiglnlopahbbjdbfhkndjk

^ THREE

You do not have to pay for expensive websites and tools to write better. There are a lot of alternatives that are for free. You can start off on something as basic as Google Keep.

When you get a prompt or idea write it down. Don't work on many projects at once. That will cause burn out and It will feel like you will never finish them. You also don't give each book the number of details it needs to be a good piece of work because you're just trying to finish it. If you just have so many ideas, open a document a note, or something and write them down.

Having a good book cover is important. It is the face of your writing and the face is very important as it is often what the reader sees first - it either catches their attention or makes them go "yuck". They say "Don't judge a book by its cover" but we often do, even if we don't realize it.

Make your description interesting and short. I often decide whether I want to read a book based on the description or if when it is recommended there is a scene from the book that catches my attention. Make your description sound how you want your book to be perceived based on the content. Don't give too much away or lack critical detail. I recently had to change the description of my current book on Wattpad - Insidious Lust. I did not feel like the description portrayed the book very well.

Do not barf out background information at the beginning of the book. What you do instead is sprinkle it throughout the book. Make sure the first sentence is intriguing and can catch the reader's attention, making them want to read further. Don't start off the book with something as basic as the character waking up in the morning.

For my book Insidious lust I started off with something abnormal and I often do that for the short stories and scenes that I write. < Example Below >

"I Stood under the freezing cold water in my lavish shower, washing off the deep crimson red colour of blood from my latest victim.”

- Insidious Lust

^FOUR

This section is based on motivation and inspiration. Inspiration can come from anything - life experiences, music, art (paintings, drawings), people, buildings, other books/stories, photography, random instances, or a dream.

If you lack motivation, I can only guess why that is. Depression? Family members doubting you? Being tired or emotionally exhausted? There are many reasons why you may lack motivation. How do I think you can fix this?

Fall in love with writing again or remember why it makes you happy. Maybe even look at why you started writing in the first place.

What is Writer's block?

According to Google, Oxford Languages, Writer's block is the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. The best way I can think of overcoming this or at least for me is taking a break to just breathe and reset your mind. You can go out and get new experiences and try different things. You can even look for inspiration in the things that you are doing.

I've never really experienced writer's block so I will link some articles below you might benefit from.

- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-writers-block-how-to-overcome-writers-block-with-step-by-step-guide-and-writing-exercises#how-to-overcome-writers-block-in-8-easy-steps

- https://blog.reedsy.com/writers-block/

- https://writers.com/writers-block

^FIVE

What can you do to stay focused on writing? I like to put on my headphones and just write until I need to take a break or am satisfied with what I have written.

You can use techniques like the Pomodoro method. The Pomodoro method is writing strictly for 25 minutes and then stopping for a 5 or 10-minute break.

One thing you must do to efficiently be focused on writing is be in a space where you are comfortable. Create a space that is perfect for you to get your writing done and eliminate distractions that aren't helpful in your writing process. Also, have something to drink like water, tea, or caffeine to keep you hydrated on not have to get up while your intently writing.

Some people work better with just silence or in a busy background setting like a cafe. Some writers like Cafes because they can get beverages, and have the people around them inspire them whether it is a character trait or whatever.