Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Newbie Writer

Are you a newbie writer? Don’t be shy. Guess what – we all started as newbies. In the beginning, none of us knew what we were doing. (Some of us are still clueless, but we fake it well.)

There is so much to learn as a new writer or author. From the writing process to the publishing to the promoting. And it can be a bit overwhelming.

Here’s the best advice I can give you – seek and ask.

Seek – search for the answers you need. The Internet is full of information. We’ve jammed this site with a plethora of links that will assist you whether you are new or seasoned.

Ask – ask your fellow writers and authors. This online community is so helpful and supportive. No matter what your question, someone else knows the answer. And there are no dumb questions. (Except the ones you don’t ask.)

What answers do you seek?

A to Z Challenge

29 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm always seeking wisdom from those who've gone before me in this dream of writing.

I think we all seek edification and others' belief in us & those dreams. The IWSG has definitely helped in that area!!

Christine Rains said...

The writing community here is wonderful. I'm very shy, but it helps to seek and ask. I'm always happy to help a newbie, and I've gotten so much help and support from the community.

LittleCely said...

Since starting this challenge I've noticed that there are so many bloggers/writers/authors and it's encouraging to see them in all the different stages they are in. It's nice to know that they are all willing to be supportive if anyone asks for help.

LittleCely's Blog

stu said...

Sometimes I think newbies have a clearer view of it all, because they haven't been loaded down with all the same advice as everyone else.

Anonymous said...

I could fill this entire page with all the questions I have right about now. I've decided to take it one day at a time though. I'm in the editing process of my first book. Slow and steady is winning my race =)

Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

Dean K Miller said...

As tangled, diverse and opinionated that the world of writing is, there is always someone who can sort through the maze and help you find an answer. The community (here and elsewhere) is amazing and nearly all are willing to find an answer for you. Simply ask, indeed. Good luck.

Debra Giuffrida said...

I agree with Stu, as a newbie I was fresh faced and sat at the keyboard everyday with new ideas and tons of words flying from my fingers...now I am just a little jaded. I belong to a writers group that is wonderful, helpful, encouraging, and filled with good advice, but... The more advice I get the more insecure I get. It's scary out there.

Unknown said...

I would add for the newbie to not get caught up in all the seeking and asking, in the end you must write loads! And you must do it alone. I have gotten hung up on research and communities but in the end, the only thing to improve my writing was actually writing.

Unknown said...

I am thrilled to say the least. I thought I was the 5 star Newbee and wannabee but oh no it helps to know we are so many (although we could also fake it well and right I guess). To say the least, I am getting so much from the community both in here at the ISWG and the atoz ... one very significant example is - I battled with getting an ITIN and got advice to go for an EIN. Whoop, I didn't even have to mail any form etc, I downloaded one, filled it, called the IRS and in less than an hour on monday night, I got an EIN.
Thank you all: Marie at http://myeverydaypersonal.blogspot.be/

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sometimes I still feel like a newbie. And IWSG is a great place to seek and find answers to all those questions.

Unknown said...

I'm not new to writing, I'm new to sharing my fictional writing. I can share the deepest darkest parts of the real me with ease. Somehow, sharing my imagination seems far more personal. I'm a work in progress.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Terri, glad it's helped!

Cely, they are, and it's awesome.

Stu, or been beaten down and told they couldn't do it.

Debra, it's a double-edged sword.

Raquel, very true!

Maria, that's awesome the answer was so simple.

Chrys Fey said...

I am definitely a new author and I probably will remain a new author until I actually have a book out in print. As a newbie, it is highly important to become acquainted with other writers, authors and bloggers. Their knowledge and support is invaluable. That's why IWSG and A to Z is so great! :D

Pat Hatt said...

everyone is a newbie at everything at some point or another, ask away all should. But I still say there can be dumb questions, care for me to prove it? haha

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I think it's also important for those of us who have been writing for a long time, to remember we were once newbies. If a newbie shows, show them curtesy, not the door. Great post, Captain!

Michelle Wallace said...

Still clueless... LOL
I fall into that category.

debi o'neille said...

I'm with Michelle, clueless to a fault, but luckily I love to learn. :-)
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

J.L. Campbell said...

For me, studying is the way I got over my newness. You're right, we have to seek knowledge and apply it when we find it.

Fundy Blue said...

I'm a newbie and a not newbie at the same time. I've written for many purposes and taught writing to third graders for many years. Throw in union leader with a love of paleontology, and my writing dreams got squeezed out. But now I'm retired, and I'm claiming the title Writer for me. I'm definitely struggling, although I have ideas I've literally carried around for decades. I know the next step I must take is establishing a regular writing time and stick to it! I'm excited about this group and looking forward to learning all I can! Have a happy day everyone!

Birgit said...

The best thing is to always ask no matter what and not feel scared that it might be a stupid question-that is the biggest fear-that and scared your writing sucks:)

Nicole Pyles said...

I'm always seeking feedback about my stories, especially lately. It's the best way to grow as a writer and the best way to improve your stories.

klahanie said...

A Newbie Writer? Never heard of that genre.

Now for something completely serious. Indeed, seek advice, be involved with those who encourage rather than discourage.

If all else fails, get a dog to write for you.

Penny's fictional human,

Gary :)

CA Clark said...

No such thing as a dumb question right? only dumb newbie writers who don't ask the dumb questions...well this dumb newbie has been asking lots of questions and finding out how over the last year and it sure pays off. Doesn't pay the rent but it pays off in other ways. :)

http://ceciliaaclark.blogspot.com.au

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I think we never stop learning as writers. Even bestselling, well established authors with awards still have things to learn about the craft.
Great post, Alex.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

I'm not a newbie, but I've asked a more seasoned writer to help me with my synopsis. I still can't figure that one out!

EEGiorgi said...

I had a question, I was going to ask when the sign-ups for the May event were going to bem but I now see that they're open and I'm already there! woo-hoo, I even know what I'm going to write already and I can't wait to chat with all of you guys again. Thanks!

EEGiorgi said...

@Holli: I'm really good at synopses, give me a holler if you ever need help -- eegiorgi(at)gmail.com

Bevimus said...

I have absolutely no doubt that a community like this would be able to answer literally any question one could think of about the writing/publishing process. I myself have to work on the writing part, first...

Yadhu said...

How can a newbie writer who's had no experiences at all write aboit the author? !