I’m 15 and I really want to be a freelance writer as my career track when I get to be older. I’ve been wanting to be a writer ever since I started reading short chapter books as a child. I’m starting to think about writing a book or something between school, my after-school activities, homework, and projects in my free time for the next few years of high school. I love to write and I’m wondering what would happen if I did write a book and start my career early and continue with it throughout college. Do you have any advice or opinions about what I should do or any additional information you think I should know about this career?
All answers appreciated (:
4 Responses
mannersp
February 9th, 2010 at 12:38 am
1By all means, write! You will never learn your chosen craft unless you do. You could start by keeping a daily journal of your experiences and strive to express your emotions and impressions of all that is happening around you. This is a great outlet which will help you to develop your writing skills more than you can imagine. When you feel you are ready to begin that novel, then you should begin. You have probably heard the advice to “write what you know”, and that is exactly what you should do. Write for your peer group as you will be most knowledgeable in what interests other teens and how they, as your readers, will most likely react to the characters and situations that you create. Also, take all the writing classes that you can, read everything you can get your hands on, and learn to be a good people watcher. I find that observing others, how they look, talk, move, and react to situations, helps me tremendously in character development. When you do have a manuscript that you feel is ready for submission to an agent or publisher, then go for it. Age is no barrier for a good writer with a well structured and interesting work.
blackout blinds
February 9th, 2010 at 2:29 am
2I would practice writing as much as possible, show your work to people to get input, and read other books.
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:37 am
3At 15 you wont know how to write a book, its an elaborate craft that you will have to learn, and it takes time. English in a novel is employed differently from the way you learned at school, and there is a lot to learn about Characters, Settings, Points of view,Plot and how to pace your writing. And of course how to edit your own work.
Keep writing but short stories, leave the novel till you can handle it. Try to join a writer’s workshop near you or online. Build a libruary of how-to-write books as well; Amazon have some excellent titles. In the end it is all worth it. Good luck.
Jimbo
February 9th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
4Your enthusiasm is admirable, but you need to be realistic. You can write all the books you want right now, but I doubt you’ll be published anytime soon. That said? You’re greatest hope for accomplishing this goal is the very fact that you identified it (as a goal) at such a young age.
I’ve been a free-lance writer for over 20 yrs now. It doesn’t pay a lot, but it’s satisfying to my soul. First and foremost; a good writer is a good reader. Read as many of the classics as you can. You can pick up the skills of a good writer via osmosis. Sometimes you get to tell great stories, or write about isues you truly care about. But at least 50% of the time? You have to write about things you don’t care about at all – cuz the rent is due. Yes; it is an ‘artistic’ life and pursuit.
Yes; people seem to find me fascinating for about 5 entire minutes at a cocktail party. But I’m gonna drive home from that party in a 10 yr old car, LOL! …BTW…? Just the way you framed your question and wrote it so well? I can tell you have a bit of talent
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