[CMUNITY] So, You Wannabe a Writer...

Gray Mouser

Writers do poorly without readers who want to read their work. There is no mystery here. The best way to get readers to read your writing is for you to write something and get it published. Then do it all over again. And again. That's what writers do. The Cmunity forum offers a great way for you to begin publishing: the GOSSIP section is a great place to start. Some newbie writers are already doing that. Why shouldn't you?

Some Tips on Getting Started as a Writer

1. Write something you know about. Who wants to read something from writers who know nothing about which they write?

Boooring. You like skateboarding? Write about that. You like jamming with your friends? Write about that. You like clan wars here on UberStrike? Write about that. You get the idea.

2. Polish your work before you publish. Don't rush off half-cocked and post something before it's finished. Let your writing rest for a few days, then re-read it through fresh eyes. That's what your readers are going to do -- reading your story through fresh eyes. They don't want to see typos, misspelling, or silly sentence structure: if readers have a difficult time reading what you've written, they will stop reading, and chances are they will not be interested in whatever you write next. Remember, you only get ONE chance at making a first impression.

3. Come up with a catchy title for your story. A catchy title will assure the reader makes it all the way to your story's first sentence! Don't laugh. If they like that first sentence, they might even make it to the second one. That's how readers read.

4. When you publish your story on the GOSSIP forum, try prefacing your catchy story title with "[STORY]". That will inform potential readers they are, in fact, about to read a "STORY". Amazing how that works. Soon, they will actually begin LOOKING for that [STORY] in your title. Make it easy for them to find your story. And when you read their replies and criticisms, pay attention!

5. Make sure your story has a logical beginning, middle and ending, and decide on that beginning, middle and ending BEFORE you begin writing -- and stick to it. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Give it a try. Without an interesting beginning, a reader will never make it to the middle. And without a definitive, well-thought-out ending, they will leave your story dissatisfied with where you have taken them, most likely never to return.

6. Keep writing. Write something every day. The more you write, the easier it is, and the better you become. Keep publishing. Don't get discouraged. You think Stephen King just happened along and became a best selling author overnight? No. He didn't. He worked at it -- boy, did he ever! That's what YOU need to do: work at it. Build up some faithful followers. Do that, and sooner or later you WILL be noticed. If you DON'T work at your craft, you will ALSO be noticed. That's the way it works.
:arrow: Do NOT get discouraged if you get rejected. Writer submissions -- everywhere -- get rejected all the time. That's the way it works. When that happens, write another one. And another one... Stephen King received dozens of rejections for his first novel, "Carrie". :shock: I bet every one of those foolish editors are STILL kicking themselves in the butt! :lol:

Now that you have an idea of what it takes to be a writer, check out UberStrike's "Cmunity FREELANCE Program", get off YOUR butts and start writing.

Well, that's it. That's all I have to say. Don't talk about wanting to be a writer. Throw on a pair of Nikes and -- just DO it.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. You know that whenever you see us old-timers hobbling around those maps, you're not supposed to shoot at us — right? You're supposed to stand PERFECTLY STILL and just give us a friendly "hello" wave with those weapons! That's right, stand PERFECTLY still, and move just a LITTLE BIT more to the left...

--Mouser

TheInstantKiller

Great tips, I'm going to get started on writing.
I think that I'm now ready to have an intensive match with words.

Thanks

Random Guy!

This inspired me to do my second part of my story.

_Solstice.

it is Good that you cleared that out, many people are trying to get that post of cmunity writer..

Celestial Divinity

Patient I will be Sensei Mouser. *bows*

Cheers, CD.

GUY82

can't wait for the Freelance program is up and running!

Great tips Mouser!

New York City 1863

Another good post, Mr. CMUNITY Leader ^_^ I'm sure this is kinda helpful for those who read it mindful.

iRichii

Thanks Mouser! Great tips and will probably stop all the PM's (Well.. lets hope so).

Tuna Roll

Great Mouser!
Maybe I should think about starting to scare the community with a few own ideas of a story.

--Blaster

Farmer Giles

I'm very excited to see writing taking off on the forums. I'd love to read any stuff you guys come up with! I quite enjoy doing literary criticism so, unless you object to it in your post, I may well leave a fairly detailed critique on your work. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm an authority in literary matters, so my opinions are not objective.

As for my own writing, I do a little but don't publish it. Best of luck to everyone!

Arthur-Dent

This was incredibly helpful. Though, one of the problems with writing, is getting readers.

tennis97

Yay mouser soon as I get back from Cali I'll get started on my article I pm'd u about

-Spiegel-

While I am not much of a writer myself and am not looking for a position, I still enjoyed reading how you can become a "writer". Thanks for clearing up those things for us.

Spiegel

KXI SYSTEM

Just gonna interject for a moment. I know some of you are really excited in that one of your future articles can be published in Cmunity, but there is actually - not a standard per say - but a high expectation we expect to see.

Now that's not saying "OMG U HAZ 2B PRO WRITR", its actually saying that its more than just being able to type about an idea. You have to talk about an idea that people will stay interested in - I'll admit right now people had typed large upon large paragraphs in a post at once and I just don't read them.

But what mouser just wrote is probably 2 or 3 of those big paragraphs posts I ignore, and I read all of it. Why? Not only cause he can write, it flows.

To be quite frank some of the submissions for the writing contest were just downright horrible. I mean it goes to say that there will always be the worse for every contest looking for the best, but sometimes it seems like a block of text is really attractive to read. Trust me, a 5 page block of text does not flow (exaggerating).

Learning how to make your idea's flow is hard, but its probably best learned by reading great examples.

I read Shakespeare cause I like it, in terms of actual story it may not be the best but his works just flow so easily - those long monologues I actually like reading. Go check them out, some other authors are great too. Don't just read fiction, try reading some manuals, blogs or guides. Being able to tell a story is one, but for us being to be able to express an idea in a short space is another.

I mean I'll even give you one of my techniques, I keep my paragraphs short and hey maybe even one paragraph is a sentence or two. See for yourself.

Zuhair Ibn Abdul

This is a great way to learn to write. Thanks for teaching us the right way!

Gray Mouser

!$RICH$! wrote:

Great tips and will probably stop all the PM's

:shock: :mrgreen:

--Mouser

Gray Mouser

TheBlast wrote:

Great Mouser!
Maybe I should think about starting to scare the community with a few own ideas of a story.

--Blaster

Hang on with those Ideas! :o Cmunity will be beginning a permanent "Story Ideas" topic in Cmunity Announcements where you can suggest story ideas for the Cmunity Writers to ponder.

Coming soon.

--Mouser

r259

nice one mouser
and did you guys know, that GUY82 was a CMUNITY Freelance

NinjaChick

Thank you very much Gray Mouser. This post helped me alot! I've been trying to get published by a local news paper for quiet sometime, and haven't done it yet! Anyway I'll keep trying, and in the mean time post some of my storys here on UberStrike! I've been working on a collection called "The Tribulation," and I may post bits of it so the UberStrike community can read it. Thanks again for the tips!

NinjaChick

Gray Mouser

NinjaChick wrote:

Thank you very much Gray Mouser. This post helped me alot! I've been trying to get published by a local news paper for quiet sometime, and haven't done it yet! Anyway I'll keep trying, and in the mean time post some of my storys here on UberStrike! I've been working on a collection called "The Tribulation," and I may post bits of it so the UberStrike community can read it. Thanks again for the tips!

NinjaChick

I can say, when the Cmunity FREELANCE program kicks off, only previously UNPUBLISHED articles will be considered for publication. Keep that in mind. The FREELANCE program will work very much like real life: publishers rarely publish an already published article. Publishers receive submissions, and they either accept or send out rejection slips. Writers should NEVER have the same story submitted to multiple publishers at the same time. That's the way it always has been.

--Mouser

-Astro|Chaos-

Thanks for the tip man

Gray Mouser

Farmer Giles wrote:

I'm very excited to see writing taking off on the forums. I'd love to read any stuff you guys come up with! I quite enjoy doing literary criticism so, unless you object to it in your post, I may well leave a fairly detailed critique on your work.

Farmer Giles, I commend you. Young writers need to be encouraged to practice good writing habits. Thank you for offering to mentor these aspiring writers. Who knows, probably a few Stephen Kings out there waiting to happen, only requiring a bit of common sense guidance and -- encouragement.

--Mouser

Gray Mouser

KXI SYSTEM wrote:

Just gonna interject for a moment. I know some of you are really excited in that one of your future articles can be published in Cmunity, but there is actually - not a standard per say - but a high expectation we expect to see.

KXI System is right. You have to look at submitting a story to Cmunity FREELANCE just like you would look at submitting a story to -- your favorite magazine. You should spend a great deal of time writing and POLISHING your submissions. Just like the real world, editors want you to show them what you're made of.

Remember, your story only gets ONE chance at making a good impression. Don't blow it with a string of quickly written stories. If you are not willing to take the time required to write a good story, don't be surprised if we choose not to accept it.

If you're REALLY serious about becoming a writer, a good place to start is the self-help section of a library. No shame in that. Also, don't be afraid to let your language teachers know you're interested in becoming a better writer. Ask them for help. Become involved in your school's publications, including a school newspaper if your school has one. I did, and loved every minute of it.

--Mouser

Gray Mouser

Gray Mouser wrote:

Writers should NEVER have the same story submitted to multiple publishers at the same time.
--Mouser

Unless "duplicate submissions okay" have been noted in the publisher's submission guidelines, which can be different depending on to whom you are submitting.

--Mouser

Xhon Xhuveli

Ye I pretty much like this Idea I would love to be a writer and when I'm entusiasm I write a lot and I would seriously love tO give it a try hope I will make it in and work with GUY82 get to know him well enough cuz I love being friendly....! Sorry I forgot to mention Ejh16 and gray mouser+ KXI system and all the others

Xx..GOD..xX

Cool Topic .....
I Liked It....
So I'll Be Trying To Be A Community Writter...
I Don't Have Many Posts
As If.....
I know Proper English ..
<> lol

Xx..GOD..xX

Xx..GOD..xX

I'll Be A Community writer One Day ~!~!~!~ I think !
Nice Article though !

Xx..GOD..xX

tennis97

Xx..GOD..xX wrote:

I'll Be A Community writer One Day ~!~!~!~ I think !
Nice Article though !

Xx..GOD..xX

Way to spam ahahahaha hah and u? A cmunity writer? LLOLOLOLOLOLOLLL