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How to write?

Call this method strange, but perhaps start small and work your way up. By that, I mean starting with writing one chapter at a time, in the simplest form possible. For example:
Bob walked to Jim's house. He talked to Jim. Jim and Bob went to the park.
After writing something like that, slowly add more detail. Example:
Bob walked to Jim's house because he was lonely. He talked to Jim. Jim asked if Bob would like to go to the park. Bob agreed, and they made their way to the park.
Keep adding until it feels less like a children's picture book and more like a novel. Eventually, it will turn out great! Then, you go back, edit anything that feels off, and you've finished that chapter!
 

NoahGrey

Acolyte
For me, it started out just a simple scene. Usually it pops up from a bit of music or a bit of day dreaming.

I imagined one scene: a young boy, eyes closed as a reanimated corpse (not zombie!) leans towards him as he has his eyes shut. She will only attack if she makes eye contact. He can feel the cold from her flesh and the dry whisps of hair trailing along his cheek as she shuffles away.

I had nothing else but that scene in my head. No context. No world. No backstory. Then with time it turned into 42000 words with great pain and suffering along the way. Was so much fun to write.

Just imagine one picture in your head and describe it. Once done, start asking questions about it. The story should build from there. It works for me at least.
 

Kalipso

Dreamer
There is already so much great advice in this thread, but I'll share something I learned in my time working at a Writing Center. Often, people told me they had an idea but they couldn't figure out how to get it on paper. Every single time, I said, "Just explain it to me like you would if you were speaking to a friend." I'd write what they said as they spoke.

It is hardly ever eloquent and certainly needs polish, but the point is to simply write something down. It's so much easier to build off of something "bad" than to not have anything to build off of at all. Whenever I get stuck writing a scene, I will always use bullet points to outline the main things I want to happen. Referencing that list, I can start writing my scene down in paragraph format. Remember that writing is a process, not just an end product. It's a messy, difficult, and tiring process, but the end always makes it worth it. Good luck!
 
If your writing a short story, choose a type of short story.
Your short story could be about anything you want.
Future themes, such as utopian or dystopian civilizations.
Nature themes, such as tropical rain forests or deserts.
Themes of technology.
Or perhaps other things such as themes of culture and artwork.

However, if your newer to writing, I would recommend choosing to write a poem.
Poetry can be about a variety of things as well, however might be easier if your becoming acclimated.
 
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