User blog:Forestpaw13/The Things I've Learned

See, I'm suffering from writer's block. I had a brief stretch of where I was writer's-block-free, but we all know that it comes back... *evil evil*

So in my spare time, I'd like to share with you all the lessons I've learned about writing during my three or so years here (up to you to decide which...).

This also may seem choppy and broken-up, since I've been dealing with two jobs today, one of which involves a cracked-open head. :(

So, getting on with it, the lessons.
 * 1) Have a few projects at once. I always like doing this because if you've been focusing on something for a while, you can take your mind off of it and come back to it later. If you don't like having two projects, I always recommend a short story or a songfic to take your mind off. Nothing like cranking out a story, right? :) But the downside to this is, well, writer's block can be writer's block... :/
 * 2) One sentence can change everything. What I mean is, if you're stuck on a certain part in your story, move to another to a bit. Focus on writing a good sentence, and letting your story flow from there. You can always start back over at the original part.
 * 3) Feedback helps. I like to force people to give me feedback. >:) Forest and her devilish ways, ay? It's okay to ask for you to ask for feedback, of course, but the main thing is to KEEP GOING- if people see you editing the story a lot in their recent feed, they'll click on it, wondering what it is. If it needs help, people shall comment. People shall assist ye.
 * 4) Try writing in different ways. Let's say your writing is always really dramatic and mysterious. In your next story, be really straightforward. You don't have to lose your dramatic touch, but make it something like a murder mystery where the reader knows who did it. If you're always writing about love, write about something else. It's good to change things up.
 * 5) Listen to feedback. Yes, this should probably be #4, but I'm too lazy. If somebody takes the time to give you feedback, you should probably change something. It's just something to be done.
 * 6) Read other stories. I'm not encouraging stealing, but reading stories can give you some really good ideas! There are many brilliant minds out there other than your own :)
 * 7) Listen to music that fits the tone. If your story is supposed to be about a genocide, don't listen to Rihanna. If your story is supposed to be funny, I recommend listening to a comedy radio station. (AM 570? Anyone? Anyone?)
 * 8) Have fun with it. That's the most important lesson I've learned- just enjoy it! Enjoy the story and the characters and the readers.

WFW is where I learned to write and sharpened my skills, and if you stay here long enough and practice, you can learn how to write too. Everybody has their own style and niche, but maybe you can fit in here. (And if you don't, we can always kidnap you... that's good... yes, I shall ready the creepy white van...)

FOREST OUT.