What is the best way to become a great storyteller/writer without going to college/university?

Question

I want to learn to become a great writer/storyteller (for film) and study english literature. I am planning on going to university for film. I would like to go to school for literature as well but I simply can not afford to goto college/university twice. I would like to know if anybody has some advice or where I should start to be come a great writer/storyteller and to learn all about english literature.

Answer 1

Write and hang out with other writers.  Share your work.  Give feedback on other peoples' work.  READ.  Read the classics.  Read what's popular.  Read what you like to read the most.

Don't think you've got everything all figured out.  Don't assume that any other single person has everything about writing all figured out, either.  If you get the same criticism from multiple sources, then it's probably an area you need to work on.

If you want to write for film, I recommend The Screenwriters Bible.  I bought it at Barnes & Noble a few years back.  I bet it's still in print.  It talks about developing your story from the beginning, getting a plot that works, developing your characters.  It even tells you how to format your script if you want to sell it to a studio or acquire an agent to represent you.

But the single best thing I ever did for my writing was finding a writers' group to be involved in.  Reading other writers' work and having them respond to yours is inspiring and motivating.

Answer 2

I did it in the reverse.  I went to school for English and began sitting in on classes for media and film production.  In some places, teachers cross over as well as classes.  See if sitting in is possible even if you don't get graded.  At one point I had taken so many classes in Theatre and Media Arts production (as well as internships) that I asked the internships to pay for the credits.  I also took the classes as pass/fail and that way they were transcripted.  I also took classes at the local college (which was way less) and transferred the credits and finally I took classes with the college television station and the head of the program was able to get me recognized for the first official 'minor' at my University ever.

Answer 3

There's a list online (actually there are several) of 100 books to read before you die. Read those. In addition, read the books from the genre that you intend to write. If it's YA fantasy, read those. If it's adult mystery, read those. Etc. And study them. Notice the writing, notice how the author draws you in, notice how realistic the dialog is and how the author accomplished it, notice the way the author makes you think and how she/he twists the plot around.

I think that's the best way to go about this. You could read books on writing, but those would tell you what books would show you. You could do both, I suppose that would be better. But reading is definitely what you need to do to become a good writer. You generally tend to write what you read, as in style and genre and such, and reading good literature will do you wonders.

Answer 4

  Read-Read-Read

  Read the kind of stuff you intend to write.

Get in Adult education or informal writing classes or study groups. Most towns and cities have them. Check with the local Vocational / tech or Adult Ed  center. Also check community art centers,libraries , etc.