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That's the best thing I can tell you. If you want to be a writer, you need
to write. Make lists, create stories, chart your day, design a poem, and write
a song. There are lots of ways to write. Just do it.
That's the next best thing I can tell you. Reading gives you ideas, helps
teach you technique, and strikes your imagination. Read books, poems, recipes,
letters, magazines, or newspapers. The more you read, the more you'll grow. And, it
will help your writing.
That's the last best thing I can tell you. Practice scratching. Learn to cut
your words. It's not easy, but the more you do it the better you'll get. Read
otherpeople's work and edit what they've written. Without even realizing, it will
help your own writing. Promise.
If you are interested in publishing, keep writing. There are magazines out
there for you submit your work. Follow submission guidelines exactly and be
professional. However, don't focus too much on getting published. It's not
as important as you think. Just write. The rest will come when you are
ready.
Listen to your teachers and find more teachers. If possible, find a writing
workshop, a library's book club (some even have writing groups), or a
community class. It's good to be surrounded by other people who want to
write well. Ask people to edit your work and then rewrite. Remember, it's
all a process.
The last thing I'll say about writing is this: have fun! It's a great way to
use your imagination. Certainly, it can be frustrating and hard at times,
but don't give up! Believe in yourself and follow your heart.
Here are a few helpful books that should stand on any writer's bookshelf.
Elements of Style: William Strunk and E.B. White
Eats, Shoots and Leaves: Lynne Truss
Bird by Bird: Anne Lamott
On Writing: Stephen King
Goal, Motivation & Conflict: Debra Dixon
Writing Down the Bones: Natalie Goldberg
The Scene Book: Sandra Scofield
On Writing Well: William Zinsser
Story: Robert McKee
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