curious_george

Dear, WritingForums

I'm interested in learning how to write screenplays and novels which is why I have come to this forum. Currently I am 15 years old, but ever since I was young I can remember wanting to write. I was inspired by TV shows, since I knew that every show started from at least a script or some sort of literature.

I've tried to write screenplays, novels, or stories before, but not knowing how to go about writing one, or either I have no ideas, it always resulted in me stopping the whole project. My main problem, not knowing the rules on how to write, the syntax I have to follow, the procedures, or how to put things in words. If someone could help me out, by giving me advice, websites with tutorials, or anything that would help me, I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in Advance
George

Capulet

Before you can write a screenplay or novel, you have to learn how to write.

http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

Go to that site, go through every lesson on the word and sentence level area, then move to the paragraph exercises.

I find a lot of people fail to write good texts-poems, essays, screenplays, short stories-because they haven't grasped the fundamentals of writing. They have no concept of coordination, subordination, and think gerunds are the people living next to the Germans.

I'm not putting you into that category, but the advice applies to anyone looking to improve their writing. The communications degree I'm in offers a fourth year grammar course! You're about to graduate, and they're still drilling you with the fundamentals of your craft.

At fifteen, or fifty, I would suggest heavily applying yourself to the basics of your craft. That way, no matter what you choose to write, the groundwork you're doing right now will benefit you.

As for learning how to write novels, screenplays, or any specific form of text, I have one piece of advice: read a lot of what you want to write.

If you want to write screenplays, read a lot of screenplays. Download them off the net, look them up in the library, buy them on e-bay! Same with novels, poetry, or whatever. Analyze them (with all the basic skills you've developed above) and see what they're doing. Then, try to write one like you're that writer, using their style. Do that with a couple different writers. Once you have that down then develop your own style.

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It's not opression when you are protecting the voice of the majority.

-Shawn

Lily

Capulet pretty much summed it up in a nutshell. Here are my two cents on the matter- keep in mind, I'm not much older than you (17, a senior in high school), but this is what I've learned from writing teachers and friends throughout the years.

The first step in being a good writer is learning the grammar of the language you want to write in. How could you do mathematics problems without understanding numbers first? Same with languages. You can't write unless you have a good foundation in the English language. A really good way to learn how to write properly is through the papers you write for school. Usually, teachers will be more than happy to help you. Whenever you write an English paper or a History paper, take it to your teachers. Ask them to point out grammar mistakes and, if you don't understand a mistake you've made, feel free to ask them to explain why it's wrong. Also, I think that most English teachers would be happy to go over a story or a screenplay that you've written (good teachers would love to know that a student is interested in writing/the English language), so you don't have to go to them just for help on school papers. One word of warning: you have to pick the right person to seek help from. Sometimes, teachers can really discourage you. Of course, you don't want someone that'll just praise you and not give you any sort of useful help. Look for someone who will both encourage you and help you.

Also, whenever you write anything, read it aloud to make sure that it flows smoothly, that it sounds natural. When you read things aloud, you can usually pick out many grammar mistakes because reading aloud forces you to read each word carefully. It's okay to read it to yourself, if you'd rather not read it to other people, but I think it'd help too to read it to others (ie: parents, friends, whomever you want). They can tell you what doesn't make sense to them. This will prove helpful, because sometimes what we assume makes perfect sense is confusing for others. And PROOFREAD! Proofreading is ESSENTIAL.

Secondly, after you master the grammar of the English language, you have to learn how to manipulate the grammar to successfully convey what it is you're trying to say. This is something that you can't learn from textbooks- it has to come from within you. Don't be frustrated if you can't get things right at the first try. This will take years to master.

Finally, don't be surprised if you change your mind about your future- I've changed my mind at least ten times in the past two years

Good luck!

~Lily

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Insufferable Know-it-all.

Anonymous

My advice to you is to write your thoughts and dreams into a story. That way, you will have an easier time. When you're done, add detail and make it longer, correct punctuation and spelling, and you'll have something. Keep working at it.

gabriella

Write it. The first draft is always the worst and don't even think about grammar, syntax and spelling structure. Only worry about that in the later edits. For now, focus on the story and the story alone. Then when you have that done, worry about the writing.

Another piece of advice I can give you is that you have to not think when you write. Make an appointment to write and cancel it for nothing, not even the end of the world. Sit down and write no matter what, even if all you're writing is just a stream of raves at how pathetic you think you are. Just write and sooner or later your creativity will spill out of you, at first like pure syrup down the bark of a tree and then gradually like water in a waterfall.

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You write by sitting down and writing - Bernard Malamud.

Kitten Courna

Though you have been thoroughly advised, I'll make a simple addition.

Read Elements of Style by Strunk and White, if that's what you seek.

-Kitten

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Cadmus: Poor child, like a white swan warding its weak old father, why do you clasp those white arms about my neck?
Euripides; 'The Bacchae'

Capulet

Another great book in a similar vein is Prose Style: A Contemporary Guide by Miles, Bertonasco, and Karns.

Oh, and I cancel appointments for nothing all the time. Nothing is one of my favourite things, especially as the direct object of "I am doing". I don't know if that makes great advise for staying motivated though.

__________________
It's not opression when you are protecting the voice of the majority.

-Shawn

blackswan

Yes yes, I agree, do read a lot, a lot a lot, and as Stephen King says "If you don't have the time to read, then you don't have the time or tools to write" (and I think I might just have read his book a little too many times.... ).

And I think, of course, naturally, wether you like Stephen King's work or not, you should read "On Writing", I know it helped me a lot after I read it, I began to see things in my novel that I haven't noticed before and think I could edit a lot better. And that brings me to another point, read other's works, all sorts, and critique them--it's the best way to help them and help you improve your skills. Talk with other writers and of course, write.

Write about things that you want to write about, that you enjoy writing about, that you enjoy reading, and if you read On Writing, Stephen King says that too...but anyway, my personal thoughts on writing is that it doesn't matter what you write, be it songs, poems, scripts, short stories, novels or whatever else you want to write--although the only thing I can really advise you on is mostly fiction, and songs and poems a lot of times are fiction anyway, so they count too, since I write them as well--don't force yourself to write anything. Enjoy your characters, plots, worlds and make them come alive, and just, you know, write. And of course remember to read a lot, especially On Writing by Stephen King!!!

And I hope you're not tired of me saying that yet...because I'm not even close to being tired . And actually, my advice might not even do you any good--unless you read On Writing, that will help you, I promise--especially since if we're talking age here, I'm only 13 and haven't all that experience...but I do know that I love to write and all that, but again, read On Writing and write on!

best of luck,
Laura