Im your average 14 year old, but i would like to become an author.?

Question

My dream is to become an author, because I love to read and I always have. I will work as long as it takes, but are there some steps i should take now? I have already thought up several ideas spanning different genres. Ideas?

Answer 1

Be very, very weary of vanity publishers. These should probably be your biggest worry. Authors Beware has a nice list of publishers to avoid.

Getting an agent is a good idea, once you've got a manuscript. The best time to get an agent, of course, is when you've got an unsigned contract in your hand, but it will be worth the effort to find a good one before hand. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS look up an agent before you work with them. If they haven't got a 'footprint,' don't go with them. Never go with an agent that you suspect is a fraud, even if there are no other options. Better to go agent-less. They won't do any work for you and will hold up your works from ever being published. It's not worth the problems they can cause.

Learn about the publishing industry. The information will be important some day.

Don't rush it. Be writing, all the time, but don't think about your writing as a book to be published while you're writing it. Most likely, you will freak out and over edit the poor thing into oblivion, you'll be nervous/excited/etcetera, and won't be able to write, too afraid to take risks and have fun with it, etcetera. Just go with your ideas and write them for /you./ Of course, this doesn't mean ignoring your dreams or forgetting about them or not thinking of publishing for now, but do keep them in the back of your mind, not the foreground, or you'll loose sight of what's important.

I hope this has helped. I may edit and add later, but I have to go!

Also, email me if you'd like. :) I can go into more detail and share more information with you. :)

Answer 2

something to do with murder/suspense/adventure

like the da vinci code

OR

an adventure with destiny

like hercules

Answer 3

1. Pay Attention to Details. The MORE closely You look, the MORE you'll find there is to "see". #2. Write what You "know". NO experience is too trivial- if you know how best to describe it. #3. Learn how to Research your Subject & its Times. The BETTER the Reader can relate to the surroundings of the Subject, the MORE likely they'll take an Interest in it- & keep Reading. And Finally, #4. LISTEN & LEARN... There is SO Much going on around Us that we're either Ignoring or NOT paying "Attention" to... The MORE of the Surrounding World You absorb, the more REAL & Lifelike your Characters will become!  -So good Luck. -And maybe I'll see you on the shelves of Barnes & Noble- in about 15 Years!  :)

Answer 4

You can start by writing short stories and submitting them to a few local newspapers. Call around and see which ones have that option available to you.  

Answer 5

The only way to become an author is to start writing.

Answer 6

there are some online publications that will help you find a company that will be right to publish your book.

you have to give a summary or 2-3 chapters of your book

and the genre of the book and what not

Answer 7

First of all you're to be congratulated on being so far-sighted. I presume because you're interested, you already KNOW you need to read a lot before you can write.

Now comes the hard bit.

Successful authors understand what they are doing and why. Lay people think writing is merely a case of putting words down. It isn't.

Authors understand what to do because they've studied the craft behind the art. This is done either by years of experiment or by formal tuition. All art-forms are an outlet of individual creative energy, however, until the the art is learned, the energy flows in all directions. It becomes messy. It has to be correctly channeled. Painters, dancers, actors, musicians, all study in order to be successful. The same is true of writers.

The best thing you can do at this stage is purchase a couple of text books on creative writing, there are many on the market. Choose one to suit the genre you're interested in.

Follow authors' blogs. You'll pick up hints and tips that you might never find elsewhere.

Immerse yourself in the world of writing. Join a writers group. I generally advise http://www.mywriterscircle.com/ because its so friendly and informal. Its free and there are a wide variety of age groups and nationalities. You can submit articles to be critiqued, you can chat, ask questions or just read what others have to say.

Hope some of this helps, but whatever, enjoy your writing - and good luck.

Anthony James Barnett - author

Answer 8

If you're aspiring to become an author you are NOT an average 14 yr. old. and that is wonderful!  Good for you!!!  Writing requires discipline so it's important to write every day.  I mean EVERY day, not just when you feel like it or are inspired etc.  I am taking a course in autobiography writing and one of the tips is to be aware of word count.  Set a goal to write (whatever number) of words per day, per sitting etc. and increase it over time.  If you don't feel like writing or get writer's block etc. Free write!  Just get on Word or grab paper and a pen and start writing what you're thinking for the next 5 minutes or so.  Get a kitchen timer that dings or set your cell phone.  Even if all you write is "I don't know what to write, I don't know what to write..... until something comes to mind, it counts as writing.  Continue reading the types of genres that interest you and take notes on things you like/don't like about the way they are written, that way you will have something to work with when you're developing your own particular style.  Best of luck to you!!!!!

Answer 9

you can try out for school's magazines and papers and all those stuffs.School's the best place to start with your future.