Tips for Young Writers

1. Write
2. Have fun
3. Reincorporate - bring back details and elements from earlier scenes
4. Rewrite and revise
5. Complete the piece. When you are done you can either declare it finished, put it on hold for a while, or throw it away. Do so with joy.
6. Start a new piece.

Questions to ask yourself....

• Who am I writing for [Myself, others? Who specifically?]
• Who is my audiences?
  Who are my intended readers?
  Do I want to make them happy?
• Who do I want to impress? [A dangerous question]

Questions for rewriting

• What can I do to make this better?
• What can I cut? ("Omit needless words." - Strunk & White)
• What needs more detail?
• What's boring?
• Can my audience understand and enjoy what I'm writing?
• What else can I do to make this better?

More tips

• Take time away from your stories. Don't rush to rewrite and revise.
• Read them aloud to someone (even yourself). See how they sound.
• If somebody says, "I don't like it." DON'T take it personally. Then ask them "Why?"
• If somebody says, "I like it." DON'T take it personally. Then ask them, "Why?"
• If you want to be published, be prepared for rejections and rejoice in acceptance.

Copyright 2002 by Mark Binder
All Rights Reserved