(Not wool! ) You are still young, so you have lots of time. When I started writing , I was told two things:
You need to read, in order to write. Read a variety of well-written books and take inspiration. As you get an idea of what you want to write, read books in a similar style/vein.
You need to write. Doesn't always matter what, but always finish what you start. Even if it is horrible, you will only hone your skills and be better the next time 'round.
...When I have been away for a while, but it is always fun to come back to something I enjoy doing.
It sounds like you have a lot going on, but that gives you more material to work on. I don't know about you, but I like having a surplus of inspiration.
One of the reasons I write, is because they are the kind of stories I like to read. Not to sound proud or boastful, but I simply enjoy them. Once I get one into fair shape, I also hope to share the pleasure with others.
I've really only finished 2 of the stories I've written, both contemporary fiction. I think I might try to self-publish one of them. I'm currently working on what I'd call a "historical fantasy," that is, probably less than 10% historical basis for this story about Vikings in Newfoundland (I've mentioned it before on TORn'). I love historical fiction, but it's much harder to write than you'd imagine. I started one several years ago, about a female outlaw, maybe some day I'll pick that one back up again. The "Vikings" story would be closer to "Outlander" while the female outlaw would be closer to "White Queen" as far as historical accuracy goes. I would REALLY love to get published, no delusions about being the next JK Rowling though.
So how does being finished with a story feel? Sometimes I feel like I'll never do it, but then I just get down and write some more. Good luck on getting published! Do you know anyone in the business that could give you a hand?
It IS good to actually hold the finished product in my hands - even if I'm not published yet! Especially when I think of all those stories I started but never finished, but I understand lots of authors do that.
But I don't anymore.. I would love to write again, to have that same passion for it that I used to.. however, there are certain limitations that keep me from really jumping in feet first.. there was this one plot line that I used to think about all the time, developing characters here or changing circumstances there.. I still have the basic premise in my mind.. :) but most details I've forgotten.. I would love, love, love to think clearly enough to write well.. heck, to write at all! Perhaps one day....
I hope that time and circumstances will allow you to do so...
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I understand circumstances and physical conditions limiting oneself, but if you remembered this one thing in particular, I hope that means it is important. Good luck to you!!
That's a good point.. maybe I shouldn't focus so much on the "grandness" of the story, but should just start writing and working out the details as I go.. I have kept the basic premise in my head for years..
Voted a few cos it's a conundrum for me
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Mainly
"I write Non-fiction": I did a few op-eds for a local paper, which started with a letter to the press about a distressing case of animal abuse that was happening. The editor wrote back and offered to print it as an op-ed so I did, in the name of world-peace and all that jazz. Then I actually got a cheque, a very small one, but still it surprised me. Then through that half-year period I wrote a few more in relation to animal welfare and stuff in the country. I had thought it'd be a great sideline and was planning to branch out and start writing about other stuff too, even getting one social-commentary out, but the editor left and her successors had their own ideas and I didn't pursue it due to work. Lost opportunity for sure.
"I write Fiction": Well, fan-fiction. Specifically ME fan-fiction exploring gaps in the mythos, with utmost consideration for canon. I think we spoke a little about this before in one of the Thranduil Appreciation threads, REM. That was a long while back. Again, work intruded and I have many pieces waiting to be finished, or get written at all.
"I write Poetry or Music": Well, again, it's fan-fiction for ME
"I write something other than Prose or Poetry". I blog too. Twitter and tumblr scares me so I'm sticking with the old-school trusty wordpress. Also, in my work, documentation is important, not that anyone really gives enough crap about it. But yes, I do write outside of the fandom. Not so much recently, but it's really something that's a function of the work situation. I've just been shaking legs so far in this one.
"I did before, but not much any more". Time, or lack thereof, is the main excuse for all the preceding points, for my total neglect of writing for fun, for myself for the past 8 or so years. Thanks to Avandel's "goading" and kind accommodation, the Thrall Wars silliness in the Fan Art board has been a great reviver of the musies. There's fun and enjoyment and I'm writing again. But I am so rusty that it's sometimes a struggle to articulate what's in my head and so things have to stew in the brain for a fair bit before I can even spit it out. Frankly, I don't want to get through this warm-up experience again so I will not allow myself to lapse so completely ever again. I am also going back to blogging, which I did a ton of before. Though I am taking it slow and treating it as an opportunity to re-earn my ME fandom cred since my fandoms lapsed along with my writing.
I mostly dabble with fan fiction...does that count?
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I've written one fanfic tale in the form of kinda like a poem but I just keep it for myself. I'm also working on another fanfic but a novel this time...I don't know if it will turn out as well but then the odds of anyone but me reading it are very slim!
On another note, if I had creative ideas I'd love to be a novelist or some kind of journalist even! :)
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) You are still young, so you have lots of time. When I started writing , I was told two things: 
