This. As someone who enjoys writing in his free time, and wants to work as a literary critic someday. I started off as one of the suckiest writers ever, but I got better by reading some people's styles and copying them for a while, then I started to develop my own.
Comment has been collapsed.
I have no talent. Im freaked out that I even managed to write anything. I just grabbed pen and paper and wrote it. I dont have anger problems.
Comment has been collapsed.
Read books, lots of books ... there are way to many to recommend something. And try to stay away from mind numbing activities (tv/9gag/too many games/fucktard friends) - instead to beside reading something thats worth the time/experience (go for a hike or whatnot's considered old and "outdated").
Oh and if you haven't finished school/college try getting the highest education possible ...
after that you could still "study something" and get a degree.
You already did everything? Then continue, you either have to be one of those rare talents
or you need to put a lot of work in it like 99% do who come up with good shit themselves.
Comment has been collapsed.
If you want to improve as a writer, there are a few things you can do that will have a great impact.
Comment has been collapsed.
I'd say that would still be ten times as many books as most people read in a year. I used to read a lot more, but a big part of that was just my circumstances. Books were something I could always do while murdering time. With all of my other distractions anymore, it can be hard to make time for me to read. I usually try and create little routines that make it easier to find the time, though. I'll go out for breakfast every Saturday morning and sit and read. And I'll go out for a pint on Saturday night and take my Kindle. Considering my general lack of interest in most sports, at least it gives me something to do while I drink.
Comment has been collapsed.
One book a day is just a goal, one that is probably attainable. You will (obviously) have to adjust that goal based upon your personal circumstances. Those of us with both a family and a full-time job have limited free time, but if there's time to play games and write, there is probably sufficient flexibility to make changes in your schedule. If you are focusing on poetry, the time should be spent going over the same poem(s), over and over, so that you can absorb both the style and mechanical techniques.
Of course, I did mention three things you could do, all of which take time, and expect you will decide how much time you wish to devote to any of the above.
Comment has been collapsed.
One of my favorite writers said . “There’s nothing to stop a man from writing unless that man stops himself. If a man truly desires to write, then he will. Rejection and ridicule will only strengthen him. And the longer he is held back the stronger he will become, like a mass of rising water against a dam. There is no losing in writing, it will make your toes laugh as you sleep, it will make you stride like a tiger, it will fire the eye and put you face to face with death. You will die a fighter, you will be honored in hell. The luck of the word. Go with it, send it.”-Charles Bukowski
Comment has been collapsed.
write code.
sometimes you write a piece of code that is so elegant and beatiful - its better than any poem.
here is an example for such code (not mine) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_inverse_square_root
Comment has been collapsed.
1,029 Comments - Last post 55 minutes ago by Neljer
204 Comments - Last post 1 hour ago by BarbaricGenie
602 Comments - Last post 3 hours ago by RobbyRatpoison
31 Comments - Last post 4 hours ago by LhorXhor
16,536 Comments - Last post 6 hours ago by Fluffster
12 Comments - Last post 7 hours ago by thoughtfulhippo
24 Comments - Last post 7 hours ago by Akylen
47 Comments - Last post 1 minute ago by hyrokey
180 Comments - Last post 1 minute ago by ErhanT
1 Comments - Last post 3 minutes ago by PurpleGirly
56 Comments - Last post 8 minutes ago by adam1224
4 Comments - Last post 15 minutes ago by lokonopa
32 Comments - Last post 35 minutes ago by ChocolateVC
29 Comments - Last post 37 minutes ago by RogueTime
Ok, so Im freaked out right now. I just wrote poem (ballad?), short one. BUT I have no talent for this kind of thing. AT ALL. I can write bad scifi,though. Advice, maybe?
Comment has been collapsed.