Children's Author Christine Norris

Writing is one of the most inexpensive hobbies that anyone can have. All you need is a pen, paper, and your imagination. Most writers use computers, but if you don’t have one handy, good old pen and paper will do. You can do it anywhere – on the bus, in a park, on a plane (but not during class - unless it's an assignment!).  

 

To be a good writer, like doing anything well, takes practice. That might sound like a lot of work, and, well, I won’t lie to you, it is. But for someone who likes to write, it is a labor of love. Bringing to life the stories in your head is a miraculous and wonderful thing. When I’m really into a story, I actually can hear the characters in my head – I know what they’re thinking, I know how they feel. I know it sounds crazy, and Meg Cabot will tell you I'm probably a loon based on that statement. (but I do brush my hair!). Most of the time the story tells me how it wants to go and not the other way around.

 

Write what you like. This is the best piece of advice you are ever going to hear about being a writer. Write about things that interest you. You are going to spend enough of your educational life writing about boring things, so if you want to write for fun, write fun stuff. And don’t be afraid to do research if there’s a fact you want to get right. I have a friend who loves to write novels about the end of the world (don’t ask me why, she’s weird). She spends a lot of time researching the different ways that plagues affect people. She’s writing something she enjoys, so the research is also fun.

 

How to write a book (or a short story, or whatever)

 

People write in different ways. Some people outline. They know where the story is going before they write a single word on the screen. I like to come up with a basic plot, find my characters, and write. Yep, I write by the seat of my pants. It’s fun for me to find out what’s going to happen AS it’s happening. 

 

Writing means rewriting. Sorry. But that’s not so bad. Sometimes I find that I’ve missed whole chunks of story when I go back over and revisit a book I’m working on. Or I find that other pieces just don’t fit, OR that a character is just not working. Rewriting can turn out to be the best part of writing!

 

Get other people to read your writing. Sometimes fresh eyes see things you’ve overlooked. If you’re afraid, ask a teacher or a trusted adult. Or find an online critique group, where the people (for the most part) are professional and courteous. Even more fun, start a creative writing club or a Book club/ Writing group at your school. Learn from each other.  

 

Put things away once you think you've finished them. Wait one month - minmum. Then go back and see if it still sounds good.  

 

One of the keys to being a good writer is reading. I have shelves and shelves of books, each one a wonderful treasure. I read books from authors I like, and from ones I’ve never heard of. I read tons of material for younger people. I call it market research. And I read books for adults. I don’t read too many books on writing, but I have a few. Most of the things I’ve learned about writing, I’ve learned by doing it.  Practice, practice, practice! Practice is fun!

 

If you want to be a writer, and do it well, write every day. Even if it’s just a journal entry, or a short poem. BUT give yourself permission to take a day off.  The real world is worth spending time in too.

 

 

There is so much more to being a writer… but I think I’ll let you figure it out for yourself.  Part of the fun is getting there!

 

There are a lot of  publishing houses out there. BUT... there are publishers, and then there are "publishers." I strongly advise anyone considering submitting their work for publication to not only make it the best it can be before you even consider putting it in the mailbox, but research who you are sending it to. Some rules for publishing: if you want to be a career writer, never pay to be published. Ignore every company trying to get you to submit to them that has a Google ad. Real publishers and agents don't need to advertise - they are already overwhelemed with submissions they don't go looking for more. Never submit to Publish America - do a quick Google search on them and you'll find out why. If you just want to see your book in print, and have no aspirations of selling it in the commercial market, try www.lulu.com There you can design and print your book and it won't cost you a thing. Personally, I think that is a great site, especially if you just want to see your book, or if you're publishing a book to sell for a fundraiser, or a local interest book. It certainly has its place.

If you want to be a real, professional writer... do the homework. All these rules apply to agents as well. There are a lot of people out there who do nothing more than scam unsuspecting new writers. Be aware and be careful.

As one of my virtual friends, Science Fiction author Jim D. MacDonald always says, "The only place an author signs a check is on the back." and "Yog's first rule - money flows toward the author."

Write on!