Wondering about writing

[brilliantlybrian]

Hello, im wondering is there anyone like me who read quite alot of novels (i mean really alot) but still didnt know how to write a novel? i have many stories in my mind that i want to write, but its really hard to pick a word or to describe an event but i can perfectly imagine how things will go (for example fight scene, or calm scene where the protagonists walks slowly admiring the environtment) and when i looked at the finished product, it feels something is off.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

It just takes time and practice. The more you try to write, the more you will improve. It won't be perfect but you'll slowly get there through study, practice, and patience. Reading novels is a great way to study so you're already on the right track.

 

[Forestbear]

No matter how much you read, your own style of writing will still take work and effort to create. Just gotta do it and fix it along the way.

 

[georgelee5786]

Practice makes perfect! Reading classic books, like Lord of the Rings, might help you become a better writer.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Hello, im wondering is there anyone like me who read quite alot of novels (i mean really alot) but still didnt know how to write a novel?

No, out of the billions of people on Earth, only you alone cannot do it. It is a kind of racial trait, writing novels, for humans. You're just a mutant.

 

[Tumbmar]

I was like that for quite awhile, but I had a dose of inspiration that led me to writing my "first" actual story that wasn't based on an assignment or prompt (not uploaded on here). According to Stephen King, you need to read a lot more than you write. The practice in craft comes from emulating and absorbing the skills and styles of those who came before. That said, I think I've been doing the reverse right now...

As for developing your style, it'll probably take on the order of writing 500k to 1 mil words before you feel comfortable in your own space. Getting the right words just takes practice.

You could try doing some copywork, where you take an existing work that you really like, and just copy it down word for word by hand or typing. Over a few weeks you'll start understanding what makes those that work tick and hopefully absorb a part of that writer's style into your own writing inventory.

Hope this helps!

 

[J_Chemist]

Writing is a skill. As others have said, you need to develop that skill through practice. Much like anything else. By writing more, your brain begins to put description to mental image and it eventually becomes easier to write it down.

And when you begin to write, reading allows you to find new ways to describe things. It further adds to your "inkwell" of verbiage.

Don't fret. Early stories tend to be terrible. Put in the reps and practice

 

[Gen-Esis]

Reading is a big part of learning how to write, but you still have to do the actual writing. The first things you write probably will have that feeling that you're missing something or be outright bad. Most likely that will be the case. It's almost guaranteed really. You just have to keep going, keep writing, keep making mistakes, and eventually you'll have a story that you can be proud of.

 

[Shard]

I've probably spent multiple years worth of time reading over my life, and just started writing a while back. It may feel impossible at first, but the key is to just start somewhere and keep improving. I highly recommend not writing what you care about first, and instead finding writing prompts to make short stories for practice. Of course, I didn't follow my own advice on that, my first story is one I care about.

If you are having trouble finding the words to describe something, it may help to imagine one of your favorite authors is writing the scene and think of how they would put it.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Hello, im wondering is there anyone like me who read quite alot of novels (i mean really alot) but still didnt know how to write a novel? i have many stories in my mind that i want to write, but its really hard to pick a word or to describe an event but i can perfectly imagine how things will go (for example fight scene, or calm scene where the protagonists walks slowly admiring the environtment) and when i looked at the finished product, it feels something is off.

No author started writing a story, and he already knows what to do...even the ones who studied writing in a formal setting.

Now then, if one is serious about writing, you can only develop your style and attitude by actually doing it. At first, it will sound and read awkward; it's normal. Think of it like a pencil. If you want to sharpen a pencil, you'd have to use it, else it would only remain as it is.

If you wonder, what about the words you need to use to describe a scene? You can always use a dictionary (to look for the right word to use) and a thesaurus (so that your sentences won't always have to repeat the same word over and over again). Add your vast reading experience, and you'll have a headstart if you really want to write something that's in your mind.

And, if you worry about the quality of the novel you write at the early stage of your writing, you can always do a rewrite and/or edit. No one will kill you for that.