FROM YOUR FELLOW YOUTH WRITERS
Tried & True Tips
The way you start is not usually the way you’ll continue.
And the way you’ll finish? That’s impossible to see just now.
Writing can seem like it’s only about sitting down with a pen and notebook (or yes, a computer), but there are as many ways to think about stories, sentences, and stanzas as there are writers in the world.
Which is to say … a lot of ways. Here are some we’ve tried and found useful.
How might I make my characters feel more real?
I make music playlists for each character to help develop their mindset and unique personality.
– Sonia, Youth Writer
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I think it’s super important to spend time with your character outside the piece. It’s really hard to develop and get a sense for who they are in a single plot/storyline, the same way it’s hard to get to know someone if you don’t spend time with them. Write a LOT of random, unrelated things with them to get a sense of who they are–dialogues, random conversations, “would you rathers”, memories, a list of their favorite things, etc. I think it’s also incredibly important to plan your character arc out well beforehand, especially if you want them to have significantly changed by the end.
– Ayana, Youth Writer
I'm creating a magical world from scratch. Where might I begin?
When crafting a magical world, I like to start by thinking about how magic interacts with the environment. Does it shape the land itself, like rivers that flow with enchanted water or mountains that pulse with ancient power? Magic feels more real when it’s tied to the world’s geography. For example, in a forest, magic might be rooted in the trees, with certain species of flora having the ability to heal or curse. By grounding magic in nature, you can create a world that feels rich, consistent, and full of hidden wonders.
– Micki, Youth Writer
I think my scenes could be more interesting. Ideas for what I might try?
A tip I find really helpful when writing scenes is to write them like you’re shooting a movie. Thinking about what shot to start with and how the “camera” will pan is always really helpful in structuring a scene.
– Ayana, Youth Writer
Any ideas for how to write bilingual characters well?
When writing a character that is bilingual, dialogue can either be your best friend or enemy. Make sure to include context clues when your character switches to the other language, so that your reader may still understand!
– Desireé, Youth Writer
How might I make my dialogue sound more natural?
One thing I tried recently when writing a piece, was to give the characters actions to do. This made the dialogue seem more natural. For example a part where seven kids were discussing about where they were going to go for summer vacation, they were playing a really fast-paced UNO match, this kept the narrative grounded, and more engaging. That might be something you would want to try.
– Elaine, Youth Writer
I keep getting stuck. How might I keep going and actually finish something?
Sometimes, writing a story can feel very daunting. I throw out many of my ideas in the early stages, which can make it hard to come up with a finished product. My advice would be to take some of the pressure out of the drafting process. Give yourself the freedom to write something, even if you consider it to be bad. Let yourself write a less-than-perfect draft, and then come back the next day and look at it with fresh eyes — is it really unsalvageable? Can it be improved with some revision? Write as much as you can. Don’t limit yourself in the brainstorming and early drafting processes. You may think that your ideas aren’t good enough to write about, but that’s not true. Every single one of your ideas has potential.
– Nithya, Youth Writer
One of our favorite things about new members joining our community is that you’ll bring your own tips and tricks to share, too. We can’t wait to hear the solutions you have up your sleeves.