A Topic, for, uh, advice. For, uh, writers. Uh.

Contra(dictory)

also I hang out here, I guess
Well, hey. As you can tell from my forum profile, I'm a douchebag that goes by the Internet name Tabuu! I'm a professional asshole, but today, I'm here to talk about my other profession: amateur writing.

But not about my own writing.

I'm here to talk about yours.

Well, nobody in particular. I'm not saying I'm a better writer than anybody here, but I just want to give my advice to anybody who happens to want it. This advice is based on the years I've spent writing for Userpedia and other writing outlets- don't go to my FF.net profile, it's all Metal Gear porn. Anyways, lets go over some important subjects.

Style


This is pretty important. Now, if you're just starting off, don't make this a big issue- because you don't know your style yet. That's something you'll find out when you start writing some more. Until then, go with what feels right to you. Always read over what you've written and ask yourself: Do I enjoy this? Would I shell out my money to read more?

If the answer to either one of those is "no", then either your style isn't good, the style you're trying to emulate sucks, or maybe you just aren't doing it right. There's other things you have to good at, too.

Like:

Grammar


Do you hear that?

No?

Well, I do. It's the sound of people who don't want to learn how much they suck clicking away. Admittedly, my grammar isn't perfect- and I don't consider myself a perfect writer, either- but here's some general rules to go by. Always, always, always space after a period.I used to write like this a lot- isn't it annoying?

There's a cool little trick I learned in one of my English classes a while ago, too- you know when you're listing things with commas, but you also want to describe them? Turns out that this is one of those times that the semicolon becomes useful.

Thing, thing about it; other thing, thing about it; other other thing, thing about it!

Isn't that fucking incredible? Pay attention in your English classes. Don't be an arrogant know-it-all like how I was- you can pick up a few things if you listen.

Now, I'm not going to recite first grade for you, but I am going to remind you about something. Sentence structure is very important. The word "structure" was my subject in that sentence and "is" was my verb. Write in complete sentences. Always. Except when you're taking stylistic license.
Like this.

Make sure to read as you write, too- you'll catch things you didn't notice when you were scribblin'/typin' along. If you're not sure about the grammatical stability of a line, ask somebody that knows what they're doing or run it through your word processors grammar check thing. I use GDocs, which doesn't have that. So it's not something I do.

Also, redundancy bores everybody involved. Everybody involved hates redundancy, which happens to originate from the department of redundancy department, which, in itself, is a very redundant place to be.

Redundant.


THIS ISN'T DONE, 'CAUSE I'M STILL WORKING ON IT AND I'M LAZY AND SHIT. I HOPE YOU FIND IT ENJOYABLE AND HELPFUL, THOUGH.
 
I'm going for a less aggressive style this time. I'll also cover things I neglected last time.
 
So you're encouraging writers to find their own style. That's nice. So I guess that's why you created your own style, called f-bomb. No offense, it's your own style and great at it.
 
Cap'n Falcon said:
So you're encouraging writers to find their own style. That's nice. So I guess that's why you created your own style, called f-bomb. No offense, it's your own style and great at it.
Oh yes because repetitive cursing makes a story bad.

Anyway, I was going to make this topic some day but very good.
Also make sure to add in constructive criticism.
 
Conventions (spelling, grammar, et cetra) alone won't make writing better. It's one of the six traits.

Ideas
Organization
Voice
Sentence Fluency
Word Choice
Conventions

http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.html

And that's just for elementary school students. Mastering all of that only brings you to a 5th grade (age 10-12 years old) level.
 
Mason said:
Conventions (spelling, grammar, et cetra) alone won't make writing better. It's one of the six traits.

Ideas
Organization
Voice
Sentence Fluency
Word Choice
Conventions

http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.html

And that's just for elementary school students. Master all of that if you want to write at a 5th grade level.
I know that, Mase. This isn't done yet.

Viceroy Bubbles von Salamancer said:
Oh yes because repetitive cursing makes a story bad.

Anyway, I was going to make this topic some day but very good.
Also make sure to add in constructive criticism.
Constructive criticism is something builds a writer up, but it isn't something I'm going to put on this list. This is for things writers need to do, not give or receive.

Cap'n Falcon said:
So you're encouraging writers to find their own style. That's nice. So I guess that's why you created your own style, called f-bomb. No offense, it's your own style and great at it.
I didn't use fuck one time in the opening post of this topic.

Hm.
 
Don't Fear said:
I know that, Mase. This isn't done yet.
I figured you did, but if someone can't figure out the basics, there's not much of a point in teaching them anything more complicated.
 
Loganofan20 said:
Viceroy Bubbles von Salamancer said:
Anyway, I was going to make this topic some day
So why don't you now?
One, I'm on my iPad. Two, I don't really think it is as needed with this topic. Three, I would just get yelled at anyway.
 
I'm making a Pokemon fanfic. I have a pretty good grasp of grammar, and while reading previous works of mine, I wanted more of it. I'm trying a new style, so it might not be the best story ever.
 
Vynnie said:
I'm trying a new style, so it might not be the best story ever.
Nothing you ever make will ever be the best story ever. Nothing I ever make will be the best story ever. Nothing anybody makes will be the best story ever. There'll never be "the best story ever"- and, honestly, I wouldn't want that. If the best story's already been made, then what's the point of making any more?

It'd be a tragedy.
 
Don't Fear said:
Vynnie said:
I'm trying a new style, so it might not be the best story ever.
Nothing you ever make will ever be the best story ever. Nothing I ever make will be the best story ever. Nothing anybody makes will be the best story ever. There'll never be "the best story ever"- and, honestly, I wouldn't want that. If the best story's already been made, then what's the point of making any more?

It'd be a tragedy.

I beg to differ.

While it is impossible to determine the greatest story ever - as everyone has a different perspective - it is not impossible to be the greatest story ever written of your works. As long as you believe it's better than anything you have written before, then it is worthwhile. There will never be a world's greatest "_"; but there will always be personal feats to cherish.
 
Fi said:
Don't Fear said:
Vynnie said:
I'm trying a new style, so it might not be the best story ever.
Nothing you ever make will ever be the best story ever. Nothing I ever make will be the best story ever. Nothing anybody makes will be the best story ever. There'll never be "the best story ever"- and, honestly, I wouldn't want that. If the best story's already been made, then what's the point of making any more?

It'd be a tragedy.

I beg to differ.

While it is impossible to determine the greatest story ever - as everyone has a different perspective - it is not impossible to be the greatest story ever written of your works. As long as you believe it's better than anything you have written before, then it is worthwhile. There will never be a world's greatest "_"; but there will always be personal feats to cherish.
You started off as if you were going to fight what I said but then you didn't.

And a good writer should never settle for one of their works- you can always get better. Always.
 
Don't Fear said:
What that isn't even...this is ridiculous.
Don't Fear said:
Grammar
What's that?
Don't Fear said:
THIS ISN'T DONE, 'CAUSE I'M STILL WORKING ON IT AND I'M LAZY AND SHIT. I HOPE YOU FIND IT ENJOYABLE AND HELPFUL, THOUGH.
2/20 Not that great.
 
Well, Quizmo, I appreciate your feedback.

Now step onto that floor panel that's just a bit in front of me. But your feet together, and stand completely still. That's right.
 
Don't Fear said:
Well, Quizmo, I appreciate your feedback.

Now step onto that floor panel that's just a bit in front of me. But your feet together, and stand completely still. That's right.
I lost you at "But your feet together"
 
son of a-

I meant put. Shit. I hate it when I make typos. I'm like half-asleep, don't judge!

Now, stand on that panel, put your feet together, and don't move. Okay?
 
Don't Fear said:
son of a-

I meant put. Shit. I hate it when I make typos. I'm like half-asleep, don't judge!

Now, stand on that panel, put your feet together, and don't move. Okay?
I lost you when you didn't capitalize your S in the word son.
 
Man, I would normally call you out on that one, but the trapdoo- was intentional.
 
Nothing I can call out there. I suppose D:< isn't a full sentence thoug- OH HEY WHAT'S THIS PANEL?!?!
 
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