So you decided you want to do some writing? Well, that's fantastic! You don't need to grow up to be an author to want to enjoy writing. Sometimes it's good to get those stories in your head down on paper. Here are a couple of activities you can do to start off your writing adventures.
Do I have to start off with an idea?
Not always. If you have one already, then that's great. If not, then that's great too. Have a look around you and look at the different 'stories' going on. Your best friend Meg is getting a baby brother soon? Your grandad is telling you about the time he met your grandma? Have you read a good book lately that had a really cool character or place? Pick something to start with; your friend Meg, your grandad, that town in your favourite book. You can use anything to start an idea for a story. Then just let the ideas flow. Still having trouble? Try this activity: Pick a book you really enjoyed (or read a new one) and pick a character you really liked. Now think about what other adventures this character might have been on, or adventures they could go on in the future. Remember this is just a starting point for your story so make it as weird and wonderful as you can to get the ideas flowing.
I have a story idea, but I don't know how to write... My writing always sounds weird...
Never fear! Everyone thinks their writing sounds a little weird at times. It can be hard to get the right words out. But that doesn't matter. The best way to learn to write, is to read! When you read a new book, or an old favourite, you can look at the way the author has written things. Have a go at this activity to discover writing styles: Read a book by an author you like (here's the list of Eoin Colfer books again, wink wink), and every once in a while stop and re-read a page again. Have a look at the way the author writes different things. Do they have long paragraphs of description? Do they write using rhyme or poetry sometimes? Is there a lot of dialogue? Do they have chapter titles, or just new paragraphs to separate parts in the story? Who's point of view is it told in? Write these answers down if you need to. Then have a think if you like the way the author does those things. If you like the way they have long very detailed descriptions of the clothes then you can do the same. If you really didn't like the way that one character always spoke in poetry, then you make sure to stay away from that. Write using the things you enjoyed to read. You can do this activity with lots of different authors to see lots of different writing styles. You can also try re-writing one of your short stories in a whole new writing style to see how it changes the feel of it.
I don't want people to think I'm copying...
Never fear! Writing for fun is purely for yourself. If you want to write new adventures between Holly and Artemis (hint, read Artemis Fowl) then go ahead and write them! Think about how many people are living in the world right now, and think about how many people have lived before. The chances of you coming up with an idea that no one has ever even thought of before are sooooo tiny! If you really liked the characters in WARP what better way to say a silent thanks to the author Eion Colfer for inventing them, than writing a brand new adventure for them while you're waiting for the next book. You never know, you might make up a whole new character during these activities that will become the star of your next story.
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