How do authors get good at writing, do they think anyone can do it?

[dannyportwersburghuk]

Didnt know where write this. I love reading but english not my first language. Lot time I have stop and read what write. I only been in UK two years and at school alot of what they teach confuse me. Like different verbs and things like that. So I not good at it. I like reading and got lot stories in my head. I not got lot of friends as lots here think I sound Russian even I say I from Moldova. So love read fiction as it like escaping from here. If do writing at school I get low grade and not think I get much of grade in GCSE. I do try at home write stuff but it not good and much I write in Romanian which my first language. Love read stuff here as it relates lot to me as being gay. Love ask writers here how they get started and how they get good but think they laugh at me and also they must have hundreds of fans to. I wonder if any give advice and if they think over time anyone can fo it? 

[Mancunian]

3 hours ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

Love read stuff here as it relates lot to me as being gay. Love ask writers here how they get started and how they get good but think they laugh at me and also they must have hundreds of fans to. I wonder if any give advice and if they think over time anyone can fo it? 

I want to answer this part of your post first. If you have any questions please ask them, nobody on GA will laugh at you. One or more of us will try to answer your questions and help you. Asking questions is one of the most important parts of learning and if you do not understand the answer tell us then we can try again.

Anyone can write stories and some people are indeed better writers than others. A lot of people get better at writing although not everyone does, but that does not mean they should stop writing, if you enjoy writing you should do what you enjoy.

3 hours ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

Didnt know where write this. I love reading but english not my first language. Lot time I have stop and read what write. I only been in UK two years and at school alot of what they teach confuse me. Like different verbs and things like that. So I not good at it. I like reading and got lot stories in my head. I not got lot of friends as lots here think I sound Russian even I say I from Moldova. So love read fiction as it like escaping from here. If do writing at school I get low grade and not think I get much of grade in GCSE. I do try at home write stuff but it not good and much I write in Romanian which my first language. Love read stuff here as it relates lot to me as being gay.

Reading will help your English language skills and that is a good place to start. If you are attending English classes to help you learn the English language speak to your tutor and explain the difficulties to them, a good tutor will always try to help you. If there are extra classes you can take your tutor may help you to find them and help you to enrol. Be patient with yourself and do not give up, it can take time to learn the English language and I can tell from your post you are learning and I think you are doing well.

I understand that making friends can be difficult but if you can make friends try to speak English as much as possible, that will also help to improve your language skills, good friends will help you and be patient. If anybody does not want to talk to you because of your language difficulties or your accent then they are not friends and you are better off without them.

If you are reading stories that you can relate to and they help you feel better please continue to read. All of us authors want people to read our stories and enjoy them. If you like a story leave a comment to let the author know, they will appreciate it and the more you use the English language the more your language skills will improve.

There are some authors here who do not have English as a first language but it does not stop them from writing so it should not stop you. Those authors have different ways to help them write their stories, I hope they will share some good ideas with you. If you want to write the stories that you have in your head, write them for your pleasure and enjoyment. I do not know how well this idea will work, but you could try writing in Romanian and then use an online translator to translate it into English, a google search may help to find a translation program. Maybe another author will comment and tell us how well they work.

If you have any questions ask and we will try to help you.

Edited August 29 by Mancunian

[Mikiesboy]

5 hours ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

Didnt know where write this. I love reading but english not my first language. Lot time I have stop and read what write. I only been in UK two years and at school alot of what they teach confuse me. Like different verbs and things like that. So I not good at it. I like reading and got lot stories in my head. I not got lot of friends as lots here think I sound Russian even I say I from Moldova. So love read fiction as it like escaping from here. If do writing at school I get low grade and not think I get much of grade in GCSE. I do try at home write stuff but it not good and much I write in Romanian which my first language. Love read stuff here as it relates lot to me as being gay. Love ask writers here how they get started and how they get good but think they laugh at me and also they must have hundreds of fans to. I wonder if any give advice and if they think over time anyone can fo it? 

I'm not laughing. You improve as writer by writing but you must also read as much as you can. Reading helps make an author better.

Can anyone write? Sure.  However, only you can know if writing is your passion.

Writing is a lonely pursuit as are many of the arts. Writing well takes time and effort. My last story took a couple of years to write before I posted it here.

If this sounds like something you want to try. Then write, my friend.

Keep a notebook/file and write down your ideas. Most writers have lists of ideas, beginnings of new stories...write down everything and hang on to it.

[Jason Rimbaud]

Welcome to GayAuthors! 

And as others have pointed out, we all believe anyone can write with varying degrees of skill. And the more you write the better you will become as in anything you do. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you in the UK right now due to the language barrier. We are social beings that need to communicate with others so I can understand the frustration and the challenge of meeting friends. 

From what you said, you have two different goals in mind. So I think you should approach the two in different ways. 

1. You want to get better and reading and writing in English.

There is only one way to get better at English and that is to practice. See if there are tutors that can help you, maybe ask your teacher if they know of anyone that can help you. And practice, practice, practice. Read as much as you can, and when you don't understand the meaning of a word, look it up right then, write it on a card with the definition so you can go back and memorize it. 

I also think GayAuthor's is a great resource for your to practice reading and writing in English, with other people that will not make fun of you. And other people that can relate to you being gay. Start reading the forums, jump in when you think you have something to say. And don't be scared if you don't get all the words right. In your above post we could understand all the points you wanted to make. So you are understood. 

And don't get discouraged, English is not an easy language to learn. Keep working to get better. 

2. You want to start writing down the stories inside your head. 

IF you are more comfortable writing in Romanian, then begin writing in that language. Learning how to write a story is difficult enough without the added pressure of writing in a language you aren't comfortable in yet. So write the story in your native language, later on you can find translation programs, or after you are more comfortable writing in English, you can translate it yourself. 

If you need help coming up with ideas on what to write about, look up an entry in the Blog section called Prompts. That is a great place to find inspiration for story ideas that you might be able to tie back to an idea you have in your head. 

And never be scared to ask for help or guidance, that is why the online community is here, to help others in their journey. 

Good luck and welcome to GA!

J

[dannyportwersburghuk]

Thank to all. Think need try what all say and read more. I only want write for myself at first. So I will try what you all say. Thank again.

[Mancunian]

27 minutes ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

Thank to all. Think need try what all say and read more. I only want write for myself at first. So I will try what you all say. Thank again.

You are more than welcome @dannyportwersburghuk. It is a pleasure to be of help.

[Ron]

3 hours ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

I only want write for myself at first.

This is something that a lot of writers do in the beginning before they decide to branch out. Before you know it, you'll be sharing with others, even though that time may seem like a long throw in time from now. I get that the language barrier is exactly that: a barrier. But we live and learn, yes? Of course it helps to have an underlying desire, a personal goal if you like, but with an objective at the end to look toward.

As others have said reading is essential but you will find that you have a real friend in English television and movies, too, and don't dismiss the local news broadcast. The point is, I think, to immerse yourself in the language that you want to write in and pay attention to how words are used and why they're used in the manner they are. The gist of a language is easier to understand than the subtleties but oftentimes watching a person speak and paying attention to body language, or facial expressions, will lead to a better understanding of word usage as well. All the trivial things that seem unimportant now will help you improve your understanding of the language and its usage.

Good luck.

Edited August 29 by Ron

[dannyportwersburghuk]

I do try watch news things but get upset watching things about Ukraine as my country has had Russian troops in it for like ever. So dont listen 2 it. Books have read at school and then write about are sometimes boring. I love reading but lot them ones make me fall sleep. I like only one I think it called loneliness of long distance runner. It not like long book but like it as I think alot when running or on my bike and even it an old book it cool as can relate 2 it. Before find here i buy lot books in 2nd hand bookshop so read lot english 1s. I like some english films but watch loads anime on netflix so maybe not as good 2 learn from. Here i love as lot 1s can relate 2. Think just wish could write better but only been doing for 2 years so as lot say think get better. If listen music lot that make me wanna write dont know why.

[Cia]

As this is more of a philosophic question about writing, and not a "how to" or technical help question for GA staff/members, I am moving this topic to the Lounge instead of the Help forum. Just an FYI. 

[kbois]

The only thing I might add to the great advice you've gotten is to write a couple of paragraphs in your native Romanian and then translate into English using Google translate. That way you can see side by side how the grammar is structured. Hope that helps. Keep on reading and practicing speaking as often as possible. It will really help. 

[dannyportwersburghuk]

It good 1 can write lot in Romanian then work it out in english bit with help on google translate. Just when teach verbs and nouns school get confused. Thank for answer it bit scary getting answers from authors like authors know so much and just feel idiot sometime so thank

[Mancunian]

7 hours ago, dannyportwersburghuk said:

It good 1 can write lot in Romanian then work it out in english bit with help on google translate. Just when teach verbs and nouns school get confused. Thank for answer it bit scary getting answers from authors like authors know so much and just feel idiot sometime so thank

There is no reason for you to feel like an idiot and nothing for you to be scared about. Let me tell you something about all of the authors on GA, we had to learn too. We all had to learn about adjectives, verbs, adverbs and nouns, some have learned more than others and some are still learning so you are not on your own. We also had to learn about sentence structure, grammar and how to use punctuation, some have learned more than others and some are still learning. Some authors use computer programs to help with these things, while others don't. I use a program called Grammarly which is a great help, there are other computer programs and apps that do the same as Grammarly does. A lot of authors have people to help them, they are called beta readers and editors, they do not write the story but they do help an author to get it right. A beta reader will read a story and point out parts of the story that do not make sense or tell the author about other errors in the story. An editor will check for mistakes in spelling, and the wrong use of adjectives, verbs, adverbs and nouns and tell the author about them so the author can correct them. The editor will also help the author with sentence structure, grammar and punctuation. Sometimes it is a bit like having a teacher checking your work and authors do learn a lot from beta readers and editors. Authors are human, we make mistakes and sometimes we need help too.

Edited August 31 by Mancunian

[LJCC]

On 8/30/2024 at 5:59 PM, dannyportwersburghuk said:

I do try watch news things but get upset watching things about Ukraine as my country has had Russian troops in it for like ever. So dont listen 2 it. Books have read at school and then write about are sometimes boring. I love reading but lot them ones make me fall sleep. I like only one I think it called loneliness of long distance runner. It not like long book but like it as I think alot when running or on my bike and even it an old book it cool as can relate 2 it. Before find here i buy lot books in 2nd hand bookshop so read lot english 1s. I like some english films but watch loads anime on netflix so maybe not as good 2 learn from. Here i love as lot 1s can relate 2. Think just wish could write better but only been doing for 2 years so as lot say think get better. If listen music lot that make me wanna write dont know why.

Honestly, it's not about reading. It's all about comprehending what you're reading. And as you're reading, you ALWAYS have to have three mindsets.

The mindset of a reader. The mindset of a writer. And the mindset of an editor.

Each flow of thinking requires years of honing and training.

• It's like reading with the reader's mindest: reading to understand who the characters are and why the characters did this, did that, have so much personality, have zero personality, the plot is plotting, the plot is a dumpster fire, and what the story is all about, if the science isn't logical, if the facts aren't factual, if the nonsense written is a shortcut to dumbassery, if the author thinks you're too dumb as a reader to notice such a glaring flaw, if this excellent piece of prose was missed or wasn't too impactful in the context it's displayed, which reflects mostly the task of beta readers. 
• The writer's mindset: how each of the characters was written in a way that reflects their personality. How the plot answers to the theme of the story. How is the phrase or sentence written in a way that encompasses the character's emotions? Or how the single short line reflects everything this character has gone through. These are mostly the questions you'd ask when you're in the writer's mindset, critiquing other people's work.
• The editor's mindset: how the sentence is structured? If the facts stated in the book are correct, or even sensible? Grammar issues: more or less. Too many descriptions. No descriptions. Needs an ounce of description. The sentence doesn't make sense. Very flowery. Too much purple prose. Characters are walking heads.

Basically, what your reader's mind notices, your writer's mind should be able to answer. What the writer's mind sees, your editor's mind should be able to explain logically. And what the editor's mind points out should reflect what your reader's mind is seeing.

If Jane Austen is in front of you, asking you to critique her work, her novel, which you've just finished reading, and you say to yourself, it's perfect...I can't see any problem with it.

Then you need to look in the looking glass and ask yourself, really? There's no improvement. You didn't think Mr. Darcy's being a simp to Elizabeth? You didn't think her description of where they were traipsing around the hall was too laboriously done, as though it was sent through the rigamarole of descriptions that it was too frigging long? You didn't think to praise her novel as satire and not an elaborate love story, but the mockeries of classism relegated in its time?

And if you can think like that while reading other people's works, I'm sure you have the propensity to write one yourself.

Edited August 31 by LJCC

[Krista]

You also cannot 'ever' get yourself down, be afraid of failure, or feel ashamed for the words you put to paper. Nothing will come out perfect, most of us are lucky if it comes out halfway comprehensible.  So, stop negative thinking, put your mind and fingers to work, and keep trying to hone your writing.

Writing is like everything else, the more you do it - if you're open to learning and not just 'doing,' you will get better. A lot of the advice others have offered has been well given though.  Just don't allow the negativity to creep in and you give up before you get started. It can seem overwhelming. 

[Mattyboy]

Good luck with the writing. 

[BendtedWreath]

On 8/29/2024 at 2:35 AM, Mancunian said:

Anyone can write stories and some people are indeed better writers than others. A lot of people get better at writing although not everyone does, but that does not mean they should stop writing, if you enjoy writing you should do what you enjoy.

Reading will help your English language skills and that is a good place to start. 

There are some authors here who do not have English as a first language but it does not stop them from writing so it should not stop you. 

I'm late to this topic, but I agree with basically everything @Mancunian and everyone else said. The only thing I would change is the "some authors do not have English as a first language" to "many authors do not have English as a first language." Once you begin and start practicing, you will be able to write as well in English as you would in your native language. I've seen it happen again and again. Don't feel discouraged about not finding words that translate perfectly, just ask any of us for the words that have the closest meaning to what you wanted to express. Some words just do not translate into one singular one in English. 

[Bill W]

English is not an easy language to learn and master, even for native speakers.  As some of the others have suggested, if I were you I would start writing simple stories in Romanian and then use a translator to convert them into English.  I'm not sure how good these translator programs are, so then you could take the translated stories to your English instructor/tutor and ask them to go over the translated version with you and point out the errors the translator made.  When you have the corrected translated version, reread it several times so you can see how your original version in Romanian has been converted into English.  Note not  only the errors the translator might have made, but also the corrected sentence structure to see how your story in Romanian should should have been written in English. 

Do this several times with various ideas you have that can be turned into short stories, and by writing it in Romanian first and then seeing how you could have written it in English may help.  It won't be easy, but if you are serious about writing, then it is an learning procedure that may help you reach your goal.  I wish you the best of luck and commend your effort.  

[Talo Segura]

On 8/29/2024 at 8:37 PM, Jason Rimbaud said:

we all believe anyone can write with varying degrees of skill

Leaving aside the language difficulty I would like to address this point. I don't believe anyone can write if by writing we mean authoring a novel. To say anyone can do it, is in a certain sense true, but it is also like saying anyone can sing or anyone can play a musical instrument, paint or draw a picture. Of course, anyone who is literate can write, but not anyone can write a good book.

Certainly practice helps make a better writer, singer, musician, painter. Knowing a few tricks, methods, construction of plot, etc. gives your writing an edge. But, there are virtuoso musicians, talented singers, and exceptional painters, and it is not within everyone's capability to reach great heights, because there is an element of God given talent which can simply not be learned.

It is perhaps easier to think everyone can write because you don't sound terrible or out of tune, the music doesn't hurt the ears, the painting is not stick people, but neither is the end result a literary masterpiece. You do have to recognise that excellence is something to strive for, effort has merit, and writing has its own rewards even if you never reach that pinnacle there is still satisfaction in achievement. The goal is not the destination it's the journey and the people you meet along the way!

[Zombie]

On 9/19/2024 at 7:24 AM, Talo Segura said:

the painting is not stick people

stick people are very popular  

maybe it’s also what you can do with what you have? 🧐 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._S._Lowry

 

 

 

Edited September 28 by Zombie

[dannyportwersburghuk]

That cool painting. It look like some of cartoon figures on netflix

[Cane23]

Coming from the Balkans, I understand the difficulty to express yourself in language which is not your native language. On the other hand, ex-Yugoslavia has been a socialist country, but not under Soviet bloc which means we have learnt English for generations.  Although I find my English good enough to communicate, I'm very reserved with possibility to write literature in English. Actually, I've written one poem recently, but it was something personal, so, you'll have to believe @Mikiesboy when he says it's a 'good poem'! 

Nevertheless, our authors here at GA have made some valid points about reading and speaking English to improve it.

BUT!

Grammar comes naturally for English born speakers (even they have to improve it). We, my friend, have to learn it in a hard, 'old school' way, and there is no shortcut, believe me! Everything - Tenses, irregular verbs, articles (duh!!!), passive voice... There is something I have to learn again every time I use it - Conditional sentences 😱 and sequence of tenses e.g. 

Writing is a gift, if you have it, try to improve it by practicing. I wish you luck! 

[Zombie]

3 hours ago, Cane23 said:

Grammar comes naturally for English born speakers (even they have to improve it). We, my friend, have to learn it in a hard, 'old school' way, and there is no shortcut, believe me! Everything - Tenses, irregular verbs, articles (duh!!!), passive voice... There is something I have to learn again every time I use it - Conditional sentences 😱 and sequence of tenses

if only grammar did come naturally  

UK state schools abandoned teaching grammar decades ago because educators know best 🙀 although public schools, known logically as “private” schools in the US (we like confusing the rest of the world ), continue to teach it because they evidently still believe it’s important…

fact is I only learned English grammar because I opted to learn Latin, where understanding grammar (including word order) is a prerequisite (and much time had to be ‘wasted’ getting students up to speed because of the frankly ridiculous policy of educators )

even now (like you) I’m still learning - but I suspect your grasp of even basic English grammar principles is streets ahead of the natives  

 

 

 

Edited September 28 by Zombie

[LJCC]

I'll quote a comment from Quora, to piggyback that being a native-born English speaker isn't a prerequisite to good writing.

It's understanding its form that makes you good at writing in English.

Quote

Joseph Conrad (Polish pronunciation: [ˈjuz̪ɛf ˌkɔn.rad]; born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski; 3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924) was a Polish-British writer regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language.

Another is Vladimir Nabokov. English was not even his second language, (it was his third, after French and Russian), but he is perhaps the most important prose stylist of the 20th century. Consider the opening paragraph of Lolita:

• "Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."

His mastery of English alliteration and cadence in that section (and really, in everything that he wrote) was ridiculous. Another particularly good example is his short story, "Gods", the opening section of which is:

• "Here is what I see in your eyes right now: rainy night, narrow street, streetlamps gliding away into the distance. The water runs down the drainpipes from steeply sloping roofs. Under the snake’s-mouth of each pipe stands a green-hooped bucket. Rows of buckets line the black walls on either side of the street. I watch as they fill with cold mercury. The pluvial mercury swells and overflows. The bareheaded lamps float in the distance, their rays standing on end in the rainy murk. The water in the buckets is overflowing."

Look at me, I'm not a native English speaker.

I come from Genovia in Europe. We speak Genovian and Simlish. It's a very difficult language, harder than Latin, Ancient Egyptian and Babylonian. Even harder than Atlantian.

In our language Me-sul-sul means, "Fuck you, your parents, your brothers, your sisters, even your dog, you stupid piece of shite!" Imagine three words having so much meaning.

Like our word, Oh-feehbeh-lay which means, "I'm hungry, so you better start cooking something in the kitchen, otherwise, they're gonna be hell to pay."

Even our simple woofum which directly translates as dog, which means "You whiny-ass dog, stop barking or no dinner for you."

Our language is so complex that it's very hard for me to write in English.

ANYWAY...

You have to watch shows and movies that make the English language cohesive. Like an Armenian friend of mine said, he used to watch the 90's comedy show, Friends and emulated the way they talk. The weird thing was, he literally has an English-American accent while living in the UK. It's bonkers.

For example, the show Succession has probably had the most modern interpretation of the English language made today that has depth and meaning. You can imagine the words in that show being said in everyday life, a modern take, but it has so much humor, zest, and wit that makes the writing excellent:

• "Forgive me, but are we talking to each other on the poop deck of a majestic schooner? Is the salty brine stinging my weather-beaten face? ... Then why the fuck are you wearing a pair of deck shoes, man?"
• "Ohhhh, but they are not in fact receipts. Greg! You’re a criminal mastermind…what polyglot genius could ever hope to crack your impenetrable code?"
• "Don't threaten me, Gerri. I don't have time to jerk off."
• "Is he nice? You’re asking about the moral character of a man named rat-fucker Sam?"
• "I would like some suck suck for my dicky-dick"
• "A small person could fit through there, right?!? Like an attack child?!?"
• "Do you think it’s possible to sue a person, a grandparent for example.. in an affectionate way? that might convey, like, "I love you and, I’m glad you’re a part of my life but I am taking legal action against you?"
• "Excuse me I actually have to go watch a fucking satellite launch in Japan, that I’m actually in charge of, that I reorganized for you but you’re to fucking carbon neutral to enjoy."

Just reading off these one-liners shows how funny it is and how witty it is, and imagine if you, as a writer, could make up and write words like these in your own novel?

And the line written that won the actor an Emmy, apart from this show having won several Emmys:

• "I wonder if the sad I'd be without you would be less than the sad I get from being with you."

Absoute banger of a line, imo.

 

 

 

 

 

[Cane23]

24 minutes ago, LJCC said:

I come from Genovia in Europe. We speak Genovian and Simlish. It's a very difficult language, harder than Latin, Ancient Egyptian and Babylonian. Even harder than Atlantian.

Well, having Julie Andrews for a queen, I expect nothing less than perfect English from you! 😁

[LJCC]

9 minutes ago, Cane23 said:

Well, having Julie Andrews for a queen, I expect nothing less than perfect English from you! 😁

Damn it. I thought my Ancestry was going to slip by and no one would notice!

Hail, Queen Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo.

God, I'm so gay.