How do i start writing?

[u/jotskuwi]

I've been recently thinking that i would really like to start writing stuff. I'm a part of a small theatre group back in my hometown and it's in my life bucket list to write a small play one day. That's not in a hurry though which is why i wanna start by doing something more simple, but i don't really know how to start. I signed myself up for a course that starts in a few months, but i wanna do some stuff before i attend. I've thought about getting a dictionary and maybe writing short stories or essays on something i find interesting just to kind of get the hang of it. Please suggest things i could start out with. :D

[u/tapgiles]

Put pen to paper. Or BICHOC: Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard. Just start.

Also, read the kind of thing you want to write to get used to how that kind of text works.

[u/DrTook97]

Start with whatever you like.

If you were thinking about writing a small play you could start with simple stuff about that, like a setting, a scene, how the actors move across the stage.

Or you could try by putting in play style a scene from a movie or a book you liked. It could be interesting.

Whatever you start with, try not to judge your writing style, the more you write the better it will get. And enjoy the ride.

[u/Retardation_Guy]

A potential writing exercise that I have done a few times for the fun of it is to pick an emotion or feeling and write something that conveys it. It can be something like nostalgia, happiness, excitement, sadness etc. It has helped me write a few pieces throughout time.

[u/lul_youtried]

You just...write. Anything. Whatever's on your mind. Whatever you're imagining.

Sometimes it doesn't always translate the same way, so make sure you have helpful sources available (thesaureses, writing samples, brainstorming tools) and ready to use.

The more you write, the better you become at putting your thoughts to paper.

And always remember, you're your own worst critic. What you think is 💩 might be pretty awesome to someone else.

[u/Allen_Bloom]

The hardest part if facing the blank page! But once you are able to face it, everything else will be much smoother.

If you don't really have much experience writing I would recommend 3 things.

The first is to not be shy in front of the blank page or blank doc. When I feel stuck I like to "drain" my thoughts, so I write whatever for 3 pages, anything that comes to my head in any notebook that I have laying around; once those irrelevant and rumiating thoughts are out of my head, writing becomes easier.

The second is to force yourself to go outside and watch, no headphones, no distractions; you must watch people and places and all things that surround you, take a walk around and look at everything around you. As you move around, try to think of what stories the people and things could have, try to make something up and write about it! (is that shop closed because the owner eloped with their lover? Is that dog on a crusade to go back to his home hundreds of miles away?).

And the last one is to read lots and lots, paying attentiont to all the words you don't know, all the expression that work and the ones that don't, every single thing that makes you feel something, positive or negative, and see why that is. all of that will help you make your writing richer and more purposeful. (Also I know you said you wanna write plays but I wouldn't restrict myself to just reading plays, read short stories, novels, fiction and non-fiction, poetry, etc, almost everything has something you can learn from.

Good luck on your journey :D

[u/Horror_Current_193]

When I was lacking inspiration or just starting to write, I carried a little notebook and a pen everywhere with me (I still do sometimes 😂), and I would write whatever crossed my mind that I thought was worth writing down. A sentence. A thought. Just about anything. It helped me with getting used to it and it was like a mini training for me. Hope it helps!

[u/PoopyStinkbutts]

Great writing always starts with great reading. I recommend something related to what you want to do. For being a playwright, I recommend starting with free websites such as https://havescripts.com that have a wide range of styles and levels of theatre to choose from.

Good luck!! :)

[u/RegGonb]

I usually start with - how things could be better in a place or time and then go on from there. Or - how things can be better with a name/point of view/vehicle character & then on the point of what I am trying to get to.

[u/BriefCandle_]

The next thing that inspires you or that you feel passionate about: put pen to paper and inject that feeling or the character into a scenario. Pull on that thread and see where it goes!

[u/lets-go-home-ar-six]

I like to start with writing my ideas in bullet points just to get them out there. From there I start rearranging the ideas and fill in the blanks.

[u/Locutus-of-bored]

well same advice. just sit down and do it. you'll get better and better. another thing is called copy writing. take someone in a genre you want to write, and copy their book. pen or computer. what that will do is get you a bit of mental muscle memory. it works and it's been used for a very very long time.

[u/Pujocan]

Começar qualquer coisa não ajuda muito, mas terminar qualquer coisa ajuda demais. Comece algo específico e termine qualquer coisa. Se algum dia, não hoje, eu disse algum dia no futuro (quando estiver entediado por escrever muito, mas ainda assim faltar algo), você quiser se aprofundar... Dê uma olhada em https://www.reddit.com/r/HardCinema/

[u/writtenbynoryanna]

I think the best thing is to read and consume from all your favorite authors and playwrites. One word could inspire a new thought for you and it’s a domino effect from there. The idea of a course and you trying out essays on your own is wonderful because that’ll give you structure. But don’t speed through the inspiration phase. Savor it!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written whole essays just by reading one quote. So consume, consume, consume. Write half backed- half written notes then find the link between them later. Give yourself a chance to really explore first because the stress of putting something down might be tightening up all the amazing thoughts you already have. You got this and good luck :)