When to start

[?] Subscribe To This Site

When to start

Question: I'm 15 yeas old and dead convinced that I want to be an author. I want to start seriously writing what will hopefully be a novel. Is it reasonable for me to start writing now?

Answer: Absolutely reasonable. That doesn't mean you will be the next Christopher Paolini. Nor does it mean that your first novel will ever find its way into print. A lot of writers write more than one "practice" novel before they get good enough to publish.

Writing is a talent that gets better with practice. Just like great piano players usually begin as children, the sooner you start writing the better. Your ability to tell a story with words will improve and you will learn a lot in the process.

Besides, writing a novel can be a very enjoyable experience. And some teenagers have published novels (Christopher is just one example.) Your conviction could be right or wrong, but you'll never know unless you start.

Comments for
When to start

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

15 Today, Author Tomarrow
by: D. C.

Hey I'm 15 too, and also convinced that I was born to write! It's hard to admit that we (a.k.a. I)may not be good enough to publish yet, but I believe anyone can learn how to do it no matter what their age. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Good luck my fellow author. Who knows, maybe we'll meet at some writing convention as best-selling authors! Keep going and don't ever give up.

Rating

Valuable
by: Anonymous

I knew I wanted to be a writer from an early age too. I'm 21 now and I've found that even though I didn't write anything great when I was younger, I like to look back on it and see how far I've come. To be honest, some of my initial ideas have run into my more recent work...seems like there was always some value no matter how young I was.

Rating

We're with ya
by: John

I'm 14, and I am very new to writing fiction. I hope to write a great series, but I know it won't be done by tomorrow, or next year, or the year after that...etc. But I do know all things start somewhere and the greatest things start small. We just have to keep going at it one step at a time.
And, hey! I'm going to college early, why not write a novel early too!?! :)

Rating

Ideas
by: CCZ

I am 13 and i believe that i am desined to write a novel. Ever since 3rd grade i have had a deep passion for writing. Yet i ponder each day knowing that i am prolonging my story. I have three quite significant ideas i cant get out of my head. I know the rising action and climax for each of these stories but i can't think of how to start them. Ive tried before with a single chapter but it seem that it is too fast paced and that i might be getting off track. does anyone have any advice for how to iniciate the begining?

Rating

Try writing an outline?
by: Glen

Sometimes it helps to have the story sketched out a little before you start writing. Check out the article on this site that explains how to do a simple plot outline.

http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/plot-outline.html

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Questions About Novel Writing

SBI!

Follow Glen on Twitter... Follow @glencstrathy Like this page? Tweet it... Tweet

"I am so glad I found your site. It has helped me in so many ways, and has given me more confidence about myself and my work. Thank you for making this valuable resource, for me and my fellow writers. Perhaps you'll hear about me someday...I'll owe it to you." - Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.

"Thanks to your "Create a Plot Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was able to take a story that I simply just fooled around with and went willy nilly all over, into a clearly defined, intriguing battle where two characters fight to keep their relationship intact, and try to find a balance in control of themselves and their lives. Thanks to you, I'm not ashamed of the poor organization of my writing." - Nommanic Ragus

"I never knew what to do with all the characters in my head, but since discovering Dramatica I am writing again in my spare time. Thank you for making this available. Yes, it is a bit complex, and it does take time, but I love it because it works." - Colin Shoeman

When to start

Comments for When to start

Comments for
When to start