The New Writers Guide to the Galaxy:
Don't Panic!!!


Something has happened to you, or you have something you want to write about. This is the best start. Don't write just for the sake of it, commit yourself to something you really want to do, or you'll risk writing something of poor quality. Get a dictionary for spellings and meanings, and maybe a thesaurus for alternative words if you feel the need.

So: Which form do you go for? Poetry or prose?

Poetry:

You've opted for poetry. This is often a tough one. So, do you choose to write in a fixed or open style? It can be a tough choice, and you'll probably end up preferring one style or form to another.

Open Poetry:

Newer writers often tend to go for "Open" poetry, which is by definition formless. But beware, this doesn't mean that you can be slap-happy and stick anything anywhere! Open poetry can rhyme, too!
Have regard for how your words and the placement of them reflect your theme or the emotions you want to convey. For example, longer lines with lots of commas will give your poem a slower rhythm, which may not be appropriate for a cheery, light romance. The best way to get a good feel for this sort of thing is read lots of poetry yourself and get a feel for how words, grammar and punctuation work. This is good practice for fixed poetry and prose, too.

Fixed Poetry:

This is often a very difficult medium to master. There are many, many types of fixed poetry... sonnets, haikus, Rhyme Royal, to name a few famous ones. Make sure you know the rules of the type you choose to follow if you do choose a form such as the ones above. But don't panic! Some people find writing to a fixed pattern, even a simple "ABAB" rhyme scheme, a lot better for them, sometimes even simpler. Experiment.
With fixed poetry, knowledge of metre (a.k.a.: rhythm or syllable count) is essential. This is how many syllables are in each line. Rhythm is very important: this is how the words will flow, and how they sound to the reader. Research traditional rhythms, such as Iambic Pentameter and their uses. For example, Iambic Pentameter is often used for a sombre tone. The main thing with fixed poetry - or indeed, all poetry! - is you must read your work aloud to hear how it sounds. And be prepared to be your own critic! Be able to detach yourself and be prepared for critique.


Prose:

Ah, prose. (Or, more simply, anything that isn't poetry!) Often considered an easier option than poetry - "no structure whatsoever." Wrong. Structure in prose comes from the development of your character and plot line. A story, for example, that wanders all over the place could be a tough and unrewarding read for your audience. Prose does not have specific rules like poetry often might, but still be aware that your read needs to move on and make sense, for an entertaining and good read.

Character Development:

Characters are developed by their thoughts, speech, and descriptions, i.e.:

"Charlie went to bed." - Little character information or development.
"Charlie heaved a sigh and lumbered upstairs to the comfort of his bed." - Here we sense some of Charlies emotions. These will often be key to your story as the character describes the plot of your story: a character that does not react to their surroundings is a very boring one!
"Charlie was good looking." How so?
"Charlies deep brown eyes, slim figure and warm smile made him an attractive individual." Now, we know why Charlie is attractive.

Plot Development:

Some prose will have an intricate plot, some will not. What are you writing about? Is it a story, or a description of your day? Either way, think about how you can best get across what you're trying to say. Can you develop your story in stages? Do you need chapters? Will your story be carried better with dialogue between characters, descriptions of places? Just think carefully, and again, experiment. No writing comes out perfectly in the first draft. Often, you'll be surprised how much you need to re-work your prose, but don't be discouraged. The more time and effort you're prepared to put into your work, the more likely it is to be of good quality, that you can be proud of!


Finally...

Read through what you've written. In most cases, getting a friend to proofread is a good bet. If something is spelt wrong, or doesn't make sense, someone who hasn't written the text is more likely to be able to point it out. For example, I missed a lot of spelling errors in this text! A computerised spell-check is often good, but still proofread, a computer will not pick up that you meant "too" instead of "to", for example. Good spelling and grammar will really help your image as a writer - a piece with bad spelling will paint you as lazy, or apathetic. You want to sell yourself!
If you've read your work, and you don't like it, sit back and think why. Don't hate yourself, take a note of what you didn't like and learn from your mistakes - try to change them to the next time round. This is why backing up your writing is a very good idea, too! Also, ask others where you can improve - detaching yourself from your work and learning to take criticism will help you become a better writer, as well as the fact you'll gain knowledge of an audience.  

Basically, the key to writing is:

* Careful thought to the form
* Taking your time
* Reading to yourself
* Being able to detach yourself
* Not panicking! And don't forget your towel!