As someone who wants to write fanfiction, I'm wondering if any of you writers out there have used any books to help improve your writing at all. I've been told by professors in college that I write really well, but that's always been essay or report format. I've never written fiction, so I'd like to know if there are any good books to help you write fiction.

 

Honestly, the only real way to improve is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Maybe look at a dictionary as you're writing to keep check of your spelling. Re-read what you've written, keeping in mind rules from the various English classes you've taken (to avoid "There" type word misplacement, among other things).

That said, I've never looked at a single book while I've written fiction. Though, if you're writing Harry Potter fan fiction, it's probably a good idea to keep the Lexicon open as you do so, for characters, spells and the like.

 

I don't foresee having many problems with my actual writing technique. I've always done really well with language, structure, punctuation and so on. I'm worried that my problem will be because I'm so used to writing in essay and non-fiction formats, that my transition to fiction will cause my writing to suffer. So I'm looking for basic ideas behind fiction writing basically. But I will gladly take your advice, Demon_Vigilante. Thank you for the very prompt reply.

 

I feel like I woke up like that too. I've been a reader all of my life, but now I just feel like writing something. I generally enjoy writing term papers, essays, and reports for my classes because I can do them so effortlessly. My grades on those kinds of assignments are what maintain my 3.6 GPA (though I've taken a 2 year sabbatical from school, looking to be 3).

I've already got an idea for an HP story I'd like to write, but to be honest, I'm a bit intimidated. Maybe that's why I'm looking for books.

 

You think so? I think my problems are that I'm too picky. I am writing currently, just not the actual story. I decided a few things on the outset. I didn't want to be lumped into some cliche HP category, so I skimmed HP stories to see what worked and what didn't. I didn't want to be compared to another writer in a bad light, so I saw how some of my favorite authors wrote, and tell myself I won't write completely like them. The most important thing for me is that I didn't want to write a 200,000 word story, so right now I'm making an outline for what I want. I think it's coming along OK.

I've done some short story, and writing prompt exercises recommended to me by an old English professor. Those are pretty fun to do, IMO. After typing this, I'm now at least 80% sure that my problems are that I just worry and nitpick too much, but I guess that's just how I am. I'm glad that someone is responding to my messages, though.

PS: I just thought I'd say that I'm a big fan of your story "Abjuration." Harry as the Raith's bodyguard is total win, IMO.

 

And reading, reading, reading, reading - well written stuff, of course. It helps improve your style more than anything else: Grammar, sentence structure, detailed descriptions of scenery and action, etc.

Especially on ff.net you often know when an 'author' has never touched a real book.

 

Find someone that you can bounce ideas off, and will browbeat you into writing. Ellie and Vash, and to a lesser extent the entire DLP IRC crew, have been doing that for me.

 

I was planning to do that once I was more confident in my outline and had written a chapter.

 

When it comes to fanfiction, an outline is pretty much godly. I'd never get any writing done if I didn't have my outline.

 

I've skimmed James Frey's "How to Write a Damn Good Novel", which has solid pointers on how to develop your characters and create conflict, but like the others here have said, it's mainly a matter of constant practice.

Big D

 

You learn how to write, but you can become a better writer through experience.

It sounds as though you have the necessary natural talent, so now just try your hand at an unfamiliar style. You'll suck at first, so don't try it with your great idea, try it with something you'll be a little less heartbroken to see turn to shit.

Then try your great idea, and by this time you'll be able to pull it off.

 

I sometimes consult an old "Writing Handbook" that I picked up at a garage sale for a dollar. When I need help with grammar or spelling, I'd rather look it up than get it wrong.

To get started writing, I need to be really bored, or I need to have just watched or read something inspiring. Haven't been writing at all lately because I've been working constantly, with no boredom and time to watch or read anything. It's unfortunate.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has done something similar.

I'll look for that book next time I'm at Borders.

Actually, I've been doing quite a few simple writing exercises, as I've said before. And for some reason, I just can't get anything out of my head beyond what I want to write. I'm going to write the first chapter twice though, once in 1st person, and once in 3rd person. I want to see which one I like better for my idea.

I've noticed I deviate a lot from writing as well. Just last night, I was almost done with my outline finally, but I decided to play Disgaea 2 for an hour to give my mind time for new ideas. Next time I looked at the clock, it was like 7 AM, and I figured I was done for the night.

Thanks everyone for the good pieces of advice.

 

For My senor English Class I had to Read "How To read literature like a Professor" and while I my writing style may or may not have improved, I did learn a lot.

 

The only book I use to help with writing is Strunk & White's: The Element of Style I received the book in my senior year of High School and I found it rather useful for fixing grammar and usage.

Though I dare say that I'm still bad applying what's in there sometimes.

 

The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is absolutely essential if you are doing any sort of writing. I would also reccomend On Writing by Stephen King, which I think is a great book on the art of creative writing.

 

I read the first 50 or so pages on the Stephen King book, and I didn't really like it that much. I found that it was good at telling me how Stephen King goes through the writing process, I didn't find that I took much out of it. But maybe it gets better, I don't know.

 

No, never have done. I've had a look at a few articles if they're short and compact, but generally I learnt from experience. You make mistakes, someone will inevitably point them out and you, hopefully, don't make the mistake again. It's one of the perks of writing fanfiction. And there's always beta readers if you're really worried.