From Reader to Writer

by randomsweetstuff

"You're impossibly fast at typing. Your skin is pale white and ice cold from never leaving your computer. Your profile changes colour, and sometimes you speak like--like you're from different genres. You never eat or drink anything. You don't go out in the sunlight. ... How often do you update?" She stared at the horizon, afraid to see his reaction.

"Regularly," he replied. His voice echoed as he waited for me to say more.

"How long is regularly?" I managed to question.

"A while," he murmured

"I know what you are," I blurted out in a moment of confidence.

"Say it. Out loud. Say it!" His demand did not go unnoticed as he spun me around to face him.

"Writer."

I suppose to most readers, Wattpad writers seem to be the equivalent to vampires. With the demands for more updates, just when a writer has updated, it seems to lead us to the belief that we (the writers) don't do anything but write. Well I'd like to slay that myth and tell you all that we do, in fact, have lives. I know, shocking. But before we go any further, let me assure you this isn't a Twilight fanfiction gone wrong. It's more of my 7+ year journey to finishing my first novel.

7+ years!?

Well yeah, it started when I first accidentally stumbled across Wattpad. I was really young and looking for a free online book because my school library didn't have it yet. Back then, Wattpad had a bit of a problem with people publishing original stories for free when they weren't supposed to, for example, Harry Potter and Twilight.

Another perk back then, was that I wasn't forced to sign up straight away so there I went ahead and started reading. I didn't stop there, for some reason, I kept returning to return more stories. I can say I became full addicted to Wattpad in the summer of 2010, when I signed up. When did you sign up? How did you find this wonderful place? How old is your account?

History lesson time:

The same year the first app was released the same year I found the website (2009) and soon Wattpad was transformed from an unknown platform to one of the popular ones. It took a couple of years but eventually we made it.

That's the end of the mini history lesson so wake up!

So let's skip forward two years because I was busy reading anything and everything on here. I can even remember the first story I read on here. It was 'The only thing worse than a player, is a player who knows...' By Blayze. The book that forced me to sign up was 'daughter of hell' by impossible because I wanted to vote on it. Do you remember the first story you read? Or the first book you voted on? Even the first comment you made?

Now, in the summer of 2012, was when I finally decided to publish my first short story. 'Beautiful Revenge' was exactly 577 words long (author's note included) and was something the younger version of myself was proud of. It was a narrative that I received an A on and now that I'm thinking about it, maybe the only narrative I ever got an A on.

My reaction to that short story is something like this:

I suppose every great writer had to start out somewhere and in order to gain that status, I will have to continuously look at each milestone I reach

I suppose every great writer had to start out somewhere and in order to gain that status, I will have to continuously look at each milestone I reach. That is probably the main reason it is still published online.

What milestones have you reached? For example, last year I finally reached 100 followers. You have to start out small. Writers don't get 100k followers over night. Every writer on this platform started out as you and me.

Now let's skip forward to the summer of 2013, where I decided to write a short story called 'Letters from Ace'. The plot was very simple, two people exchanging letters. What could go wrong?

Well, something did go wrong. Once school started up, I got busy and started to update less to a point I stopped mainly based on the fact I lost track of the story. Now I realise that I needed to keep some sort of planning method so here's a few ways I've picked up over the years.

I'll be using Cinderella for my example as I like to think that it's one of the most popular fairy tales here.

Way one: A detailed plan

I find some writers prefer this method as everything is set out before them. It also helps to eliminate a lot of plot holes. You, the writer, will know what's going to happen next so you won't have to thing up crazy plot holes.

Way two: An Outline

This second method is something I've started using a lot. It gives a basic outline of the plot with the whole climax and resolution but a lot more freedom when it comes to the actions in the chapter. For example, in the background chapter, I could have the father poisoned by the stepmother or killed by bandits. It's really important to keep such important elements in mind and note them down as you go along to write.

Way three: Plan as you go along.

It's a method I've used before and helps you keep up with events. Probably both the worst and the best method. On one hand, you can write as you're inspired and keep note of everything happening. On the other hand, if you lose your source of inspiration, you book will be left incomplete. I've had writers block whilst using this method and let me tell you it isn't a pleasant feeling to not know where your characters are going.

Keep notes on the plot and plan. Which method do you think you'd use the most and why is it suitable for you?

So 'Letters from Ace' currently sits in a place I like to call limbo. It's where I don't know if I should continue to the end or should I go back and edit everything before continuing. On top of that, I have to find time between all my new projects.

During the next few years, I accumulated a bunch of full readings list and some failed unpublished stories. Despite all the drama around 2016, it turned out to be a good year for me on Wattpad.

I finally finished my first story!

Despite not having published anything online for an eternity, I still wrote randomly offline. It was on the 24th August 2016, when I came across the #justwriteit challenge once again. Usually I looked at the theme to see if there was anything of interest that may inspire me. It was #Watty2016 edition and well for some reason I was motivated to write.

So I signed the pledge.

Earlier that month, I had written the start to a chapter of a story that had no name so I completed the chapter and published it. Was I crazy to think I could write 10k in a month?

So I wrote and wrote and wrote until I finished that 10k on the 1st September 2016, exactly 9 days later but I didn't stop there. Whilst obsessing to finish the challenge, I ended creating characters and decent plot along the way. It was now my duty to finish it and thus 'Cliche Cops' was born.

The key to writing so much in such little time was motivation. No one will get loyal readers or fans right off the bat. So either you have to find the motivation within yourself or tell some supportive people to keep you going. It also helps to read all the guides on Wattpad if you get lost. With signing up to the #JustWriteIt challenge, I was directed to amazing tips and guides to use to help whenever I got stuck.

My biggest motivation was after failing English, I wanted to prove to myself that a grade doesn't define my abilities as an writer. What ways do you keep yourself motivated if you write?

Back to the journey, I went on to finishing 'Cliche Cops' two months later. The word count amounted to approximately 40k, which sounds a lot but isn't when the chapters are split into up. My chapters ranged from 1k-1.3k on average in that story.

I found setting target numbers for each chapter helped with writing as well so I wouldn't be posting really long chapters the extremely short chapters. It also helps to update frequently if one wants to get on the What's Hot? list and achieve a ranking.

I have to say that finishing my first story was an indescribable feeling. Therefore I a hundred percent recommend signing up for the next just write it challenge if you want a little push.

Has anyone else signed up for the #JustWriteIt challenge? How did it go for you?

Once you finish your first book, it will be that extra push to write more. Now that I had finished but first story, I was a bit stuck in where to start next. With many ideas, I decided to venture into one of the most popular genres; Romance.

What genre is your favorite to read? What genre do you prefer to write?

As someone who wishes to improve my writing all the time, I've decided to make my chapters longer and experiment with different point of views. I'm also trying to make my own twist on cliches. I decided that instead of switching the bride before a wedding, the groom is switched for 'What's Love?'.

It has been a bit of a challenge for me but I do have all intentions on surpassing all the obstacles that present themselves before me. What challenges do you currently face with writing?

On the talk of challenges, I've decided to challenge myself by writing two stories at the same time. May I present you my new story:

I've always wanted to do a retelling of a fairy tale so I've decided to start off with Rumpelstiltskin. I hope to make this a bit darker than I'm used to writing as I wish to expand my horizons when it comes to writing.

Do you have any new projects? Or are you telling a retelling of a fairytale?

It's seems we've come to the end of the journey. Feel free to share your journeys as writers in the comments. I look forward to reading them!

A reminder to enter my giveaway:

One lucky winner will get a dedication and follow from me! I might even let you choose the story ;) 

randomsweetstuff xxx 

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P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

GIVEAWAY LINK ONE:

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-for-wattpad-block-party_31.html

GIVEAWAY LINK TWO (with Widgets):

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-with-widgets-for-wattpad.html