ANSWERS: 100
  • No your not kidding yourself....GO FOR IT!
  • No, it is good to have a goal. It would be a good idea to get the hang of a few short stories first, though.
  • That's a question only you can answer. If you think you can do it; then you can do it!
  • No way! Keep going. I taught writing... novels and short stories have 2 different maps. You may be a great novelist and a crappy short story writer. Believe in yourself and start sending out sample manuscripts. Also, get peer feed back.And ask your favorite teacher to read it... or the one you are trying to get to like you. Trust me, we eat that up!
  • what's it about?
  • No. Everybody writes differently. One of my favorite (and now bestselling) authors writes very few short stories, she does better with books. Just remember that every writer has a struggle to get a publisher to accept their book. And then your editor will probably make you rewrite a lot more than you think neccessary. It's a big part of being a published writer. Don't give up, okay? That same author ended up creating a new genre because her books didn't fit well in other genres, but it took her 15 books to do it.
  • my wife is a writer and she is writing a novel right now, she does not use AB but, if you like, you can write her an email and let her know about what you're doing I think she'll be happy to help you, my email is in my profile, write me an email so I can reply to you with her email address I just don't want to put it here. Good luck.
  • Most artists are not very confident in their work! And you don't need to write short stories before you write a novel. Keep going, if you love writing, no matter what your age.
  • I have confidence in you and I applaud you. Don't give up, this can be the beginning of a very exciting endevour for you. And you're not kidding yourself, so keep on writing!
  • Give it a go. You have nothing at all to lose. Mary Shelley was 15 when she wrote Frankenstein. Adolescence is a very creative time. Hormones, emotions, becoming an adult - there's lot's going on at the moment, make the most of it.
  • No, you aren't kidding yourself. I think we all have great stories inside of us, just have the dedication and determination to tell it.
  • I sure as hell hope not. I'm 14 and I'm trying to work on a novel, and maybe a few short stories... As long as you stay true to youtself and write what you feel, and you'll do fine.
  • No you are not kidding yourself. Go all out and do it. I wish I had written a novel at 15 :P
  • No, people younger than you have published novels and made millions. It doesn't even have to be any good, you just have to get a publisher to get excited about the marketing potential. Keep writting, i myself am in the process of a 2000 page novel.
  • No! This is just the first one. There will be many more- but you have to gut this one out first and be proud when its done. An artist never really think his or her work is good- and this may be just the case with you. Even if the people you let read dont like it, it doesnt mean it not good. It just means you have not found your audience. Thats all. Keep writing.
  • Actually you should write, just for yourself, but don't expect to be a world-known star. Or perhaps the opposite way, you could hate your creations but other people will like them (for example, Borges used to burn many thinks he wrote just because he did not like them).
  • No Honey. Follow your dream and keep at it. You will get it eventually. And when you get it published I'm sure all your family and friends including the ones on AB will all want a copy. And good for you too taking on such an accomplishment at such a young age! What is your novel about? And if you feel like you need to start small try writing a childrens book. Those are fun and pretty easy to do.
  • You are NOT kidding yourself... Go for it! And then keep writing, since there are not that many good writers... And, also, don't get discouraged if someone (or everyone) don't like it. Keep doing it, as long as you like your own writtings. I particularily write just for myself, and even if one day I get published, I'll still write for myself. If everyone likes what I write, good. If noone likes it, also good.
  • When it comes to writing a novel, forget your age. :)
  • no you are not kidding yourself, im 69 pages into my novel and i only just turned 16, the only time i write short story's is for assignments in school. my advice is not to give up, keep writing and if you dont like the way it turned out, rewrite it. I find the more mistake's i make the better my writing get's, i learn by trial and error.
  • Go for it Fadingx! LoL you didnt tell me you gunna write something! Geez, your talented, you dont have anything to worry about!
  • ABSOLUTLEY NOT!!! You have a wonderful chance. The boy who wrote Eragon was 15 when he wrote his books. Hes 20 now and look how famous he is for them. I'm actually doing what you're doing as well. I'm not very confident either, but I just read through it and pick out things I don't like and try to make it better.
  • Of course not! Don't even think that. I've been writing since I was 11 and started writing a novel (novels actually) at 13, and I just turned 14. You haven't written any short stories? The stories I wrote couldn't even be called stories--I never finished them out! Now I have a pile of trash but it could be another's treasure. I actually started coping off my older sister then when to original work and fan fiction... I have totally belief in myself, even though I'm unorganized and not commited fully to one thing. I want to be a novelist, fashion designer, comic illustrator and writer, game writer... poet, songwriter. To me all those things are really in one category, or atleast related because I do it ALL. So don't give up. Work it out with me.
  • No way!
  • If you're doing what you love, then you're not kidding yourself. Even if it's something you're not good at or something that makes people look at you like you're crazy, it's what you enjoy doing. You've come too far to quit now. Take a little pride in what you're doing and carry on. I've heard the hardest part of writing a novel is finishing it well. (I know that _I_ never finished one...) You're doubting yourself before the end. A lot of people do that for fear that all their efforts have been wasted. Relax, and then get back to it. No one else can finish this novel because it's your story, and it could well be a story that people want to read. You'll never know if you don't finish. Generally speaking, first attempts on first novels aren't very good. Mine already sucks, one chapter in, but I love the concept and the characters, so I'm not going to stop just because it's not ready yet. Someday, it will be done. It may not be salable, but it's something I love. As you improve, your next one (yes, there will be a next one) will be better, and you'll learn from this novel and your experiences working on it. Don't worry about short stories. You may just be the sort of writer who needs a lot of space for the characters to play with. Plenty of writers wrote short stories and never got around to novels. A lot write novels and don't work with short stories. Each has it's own unique set of problems. A short story has to be concise and most I've read are plot driven. Novels take more effort on the characters, and you have to keep the reader's attention for a lot longer. Good luck and keep going!
  • not at all. keep going. it might never get published (you have to be realistic- I am writing myself and have got a few no's) but it's bound to be better than 90% of what is being sold. You can only get better the more you write. Write from the heart. Write from your own experience and/or about things you love, and you can always publish it on the net. cheers.
  • You absolutely should continue. I wanted to be a writer, but I thought you had to be controversial or brainy or something like that. Well, 20 years later, I regret that I didn't pursue it. Now, you can publish yourself. Keep it going! Good luck!
  • You are not kidding yourself...anyone can do anything as long as they put their mind and heart in it and believe they can do it...it may take a lot of time, patience, and determination, but you will be able to do it some day. A friend and I began co-writing a novel when we were about 13 or 14 and now, 4 yrs later...are still way way way far from being finished but we're still at it and doing pretty well...actually we haven't started writing it yet since it requires the usual constrution of characters and plot, but in addition to that a whole new geological map, races, languages (both written and spoken, which is a huge pain in the rear right now). Basically what I'm trying to say is that it may not magically come to you overnight, but if you work for it and really want it you will be able to do it.
  • You can never think you can't, you can do whatever you belive that you can do.
  • Write, write, write. The only way to become a truly good writer is to read others' works and to write as much as possible. This may be the best book you ever write. It might be just a beginning exercise. It doesn't matter. You're using the creative process to produce something real, and that's never, ever a waste of time. Keep working and I hope to pick up your book on the shelves soon.
  • Of course you are not kidding yourself! I'm 49 and on my 5th edit of a book I've written. I'm at the point now of seeking: 1)an outside Editor, 2) an Agent, 3) a Publisher.. Here are some useful web sites to help you along! http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/f.html http://www.writing-world.com/freelance/essay.shtml http://www.timbete.com/QueryLetter.html http://www.bookmarket.com/101pub.html http://www.writing-world.com/basics/manuscript.shtml http://www.absolutewrite.com/ Free e-books and free online magazine for beginning writers and professional writers. We cover screenwriting, freelance writing, novels, playwriting, non-fiction, and copywriting. How-to articles, interviews with working writers, producers, publishers, and literary agents. http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/ There are writing tips, and tips for deciding if you want to use an agent to seek a publisher for your work, or if you want to seek a publisher on your own...and what TO DO and NOT TO DO in either event. For choosing either an Agent or a Publisher you MUST DO some research. NEVER send your manuscript out willy-nilly! IT will hit the trash can like a lead pipe. You send a very professional letter (Query) asking if they would be interested in looking at your book, along with a summery of the story. BUT...EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY...NEVER SEND YOUR STORY TO ANYONE UNLESS YOURS IS THE TYPE OF STORY THEY REPRESENT...example: Your story is a mystery, you DON'T contact someone who only deals with SiFi or Fantasy only...UNLESS YOUR MYSTERY IS SiFi or Fantasy...with some bit of Mystery thrown in. Learn what the different TYPES of stories are...and contact the correct one for YOUR story! Write EVERYDAY...even it's crap today, you might be able to fix it later, and doing the work is what it's all about! Get help if your grammar and punctuation is not dead perfect BEFORE you send it out. While an Editor and a COPY EDITOR will check and find errors...NO ONE will bother with what you've written if you do not do everything in your power to CLEAN UP MISTAKES before you send it out. Always remember when you get to a "contacting" point..you don't have to kiss butt, but you do need to be professional and polite...THEY do not need US...WE need THEM...and there are a whole lot of US out there! Even if your story seems to almost be writing its self...THIS is a heartbreaking, challenging, time consuming amount of WORK..there are those who will NOT understand what is driving you to write like this! Friends, parents, may or may not be supportive...but there is NO GOOD REASON that YOU cannot be SUCCESSFUL at doing this! Like every writer "out there," you and I both simply have to do the work, and learn a whole lot...and keep pushing for our dream! There are also a lot of Writer's forums on line where you can get support, ideas, suggestions, and a good laugh on the crappy days when nothing seems to be working the way you want it to! I have a great Adobe Reader (free e-book) by Holly Lisle that offers fantastic ideas...if you don't find it on line...email me (addy on my profile) and I'll send it to you...if you have Adobe on your computer...you can also download THAT for free if you don't!
  • Most likely, but possibly not. No harm in trying. Got nothing to lose. May be surprised.
  • KEEP GOING!!! I'm going to get really mad at you if you don't, lol... There's plenty of people who write at 15. I'm 14 and I'm attempting a novel... ~Rhea
  • You should never be so hard on yourself.If it's something u believe you can do go for it. You might be surprisd on what happens. you can do almost anything if you put your mind and heart into it.
  • Of course you're not kidding yourself! As long as you like your book it is perfect!
  • I've done that. I started PETER AND THE WEREWOLF,when I was around your age, 4 or 5 years ago. Tt started out as a shortstory assignment and turned into a 36 page mini novel. it took me four years to type it and no yer not kiddin yer self. You should deffinately GO FOR IT! I wish you good luck on it.
  • Of course not, silly! You're not kidding yourself--and you need not take everything so seriously right this second. I've started hundreds of stories throughout my sixteen years. Very few were ever finished, and most of those were for school. I'm writing a novel at the moment as well, and I'm 30,000+ words into it, probably a third of the way done. How many novels have I finished? NONE. But I plan on finishing this one--I swear upon my LIFE this will be finished! Now, try to figure out WHY YOU AREN'T CONFIDENT. Do you think you're no good at writing? Do you think you're too young to write well? Are you considering publication someday and fearing rejection? Think about it. The way to get better at writing is to read books, read others' stories, and WRITE, WRITE, WRITE! Get criticism if you want, let your friends read it. My current motivation is the death threat one of my friends is holding over my head... ^_^; Heh heh. She wants it finished, if you couldn't guess. It IS good motivation to get feedback. NO ONE is too young to write. And NO ONE is too young to write WELL. If you took a chapter of my story and compared it to a chapter of a 36-year-old's pending novel, it could be ten times better, ten times worse--it could be ANYTHING! Don't drag your age into this; the only thing it should be influencing is probably what age group you're writing FOR and what ages the characters are, and only because it's safest to write for and about people your age, though it's not written in stone. And if you're talking about publishing, don't worry about it. Focus on FINISHING THIS BOOK FIRST. Bury all your self-doubt. Say, "I will finish this novel." Remember not to do any huge editing to the story line until you're actually DONE with it. You're not going to have a porcelain, precious, perfect piece of work for a first draft. No one expects you will, either, because that's just the way it is. You'll get many chances to go back and fix what you think needs fixing--AFTER the novel is COMPLETE! I can tell you this one thing right now: The BEST WAY to KILL YOUR EGO is to start major editing, hacking and cutting away, when the story isn't even finished. The whole thing will start falling apart. Don't nitpick at any little things now; write them down for afterwards. Spell/grammar check? Perfectly okay. Scanning and reading it over, doing light rewording where you think it's needed? That's fine, too. Just don't crumple an entire chapter up and throw it away and start over; that's just TOO messy. An unfinished novel is messy enough on its own. ;) Just keep at it! Write, write, write, write, write! Set yourself some deadlines, find some people who will read your story, whether they be teachers or friends or fellow writers you've met over the internet--I'm sure you can find someone who's interested in reading your work and offering up some constructive criticism. Don't get down on yourself, and remember--don't take yourself TOO seriously, even if you ARE considering publication. Writing has to be enjoyable, most of all, in order for you to produce the best work you can, so don't stress yourself out so much! So have FUN with it! You're not kidding yourself, and you're not kidding anyone else; just don't be afraid to laugh at yourself and have a good time doing this. I have faith that you can finish this novel. Just keep at it! You can do this! Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress! :D Oh, and P.S: From now on, rewriting--or, in other words, STARTING OVER--is FORBIDDEN! Get it DONE! You'll thank yourself for it in the end! I've learned my lesson: I'll never get it done if I keep starting other, so I'd best just suck it up and plow my way through! NO RESTARTS! *slaps you on wrists with ruler* BAD AUTHOR! BAD! :P
  • Keep going. You might be onto something original! Get inspired by reading other young authors like SE Hinton. I got started writing poetry when I was young. It's hard to do much with poetry, but I'm glad I wrote those things, even if they didn't go anywhere.
  • Really? i thought i was the only one, im 14 i love to write, hey do you ever start writing then loose interest after 15 or so pages? this happens to me frequently any tips? lol cool this is wierd but by the way the guy who wrote eragon was already graduated, so he had all the time he needed. eragon wasn't bad either. Dont wory jsut write have fun, if you enjoy it do it who cares what other think of yor story, though i do hope they're good
  • Hey May I have a copy of your writing? I will read it first to see if you are realy kidding yourself
  • age doesnt matter with this kind of stuff. my friend is 12 and shes writing a book and its great!
  • The only thing you are kidding yourself about is whether you are kidding yourself. Of course you're not! I wasn't confident about anything when I was 15, so don't let that worry you. Confidence is built by doing, and that's the process you're going through now. The other advice here re getting peer reviews and from teachers you trust is very, very sound, as is the care necessary when sending out your completed work. Remember, age is just a number in our minds - I'm more than double your age and can't seem to even get past the first 3-4 chapters of my novel. My father is in his 70s and is working on his third (none published unfortunately). He does it because he loves doing it. If you're writing for the same reasons, then the fun is in the doing and you'll never lose. Short stories are a slightly different genre, and to be good at one doesn't necessarily mean you have to be good at the other. However, to do both shouldn't do you any harm and there are a lot of aspects of writing out there to learn about. If you need a break or a new story, go ahead. You may even find that your 'short story' written when you hit a wall in your novel turns out to be incorporated (wholly or in part) in the final manuscript. It's always good to get a fresh perspective. Once you've got some feedback, think about it before using it if it's of the 'I like/don't like this' - just because someone says something doesn't always mean it's true; they are, after all, just offering their opinion. Construcive advice can make a world of difference but from the sound of your question the only thing you need to overcome is self-doubt. That will happen, I'm sure.
  • Nope!! (is only 14 and attemptin to wright a novel) I haven't published anything either, and I'm still going for it. You need to be confident in yourself and in your skills.
  • If you are passionate about your writing, and you really enjoy it, do it as often as you want, whenver you want. Just like everything else is life, you need to hone your skills as a writer to get "good" at it. Sure, I'll admit, you may not end up with a bestseller, you WILL end up with something that you will be satisfyed with, and believe me, there is NO greater feeling that seeing the fruits of countless hours of labor cramped under a light scratching at paper, editing and re-editing for the nth time.
  • As long as you're writing you are not kidding yourself in any way. You are proving to yourself that you can write, that you can think, and that you know who you are. Keep writing, please. Someday I want to pick up your book and spend the day immersed in it, and then spend the rest of my life being impacted by it.
  • no, not at all...I began writing my novel when I was 14. that's three years ago and I'm not finished yet,so be prepared to spend a lot of time on it...if you're writing a huge fantasy three volume thing, that is. hope you're succesfull.
  • ONLY fifteen? Please don't say "only". Fifteen is a great age and you sound unusually mature. Of course pursue your novel writing. At the very least it is excellent practice for the first one you will eventually publish. Short stories require a different skill set. Write some of those too, if you feel like it, but they aren't a prerequisite for novels. The good thing about writing is that it isn't an assignment and you are not on deadline. You basically write because you can't NOT write. By starting at fifteen or earlier, you will be way ahead of the game. You can keep adding to your novel, revise it, take a break, or start over any time you want. None of the time you spend on it is wasted, since it will help you know and remember what you are thinking and feeling. In the meantime, you may also want to keep an idea notebook and a dream journal. The great thing is, you are your own boss in this vocation.
  • No. when i was 14 i made a series of comics and gave them to friends. just for fun. the demand for next issuse got so high that i had to change the concept and after 4 years i have written a triligy off these comics. Not published unfortionatly, but the fact i did what i wanted is all that counted and i gaind a new sence of pride about myself. You will do fine.
  • Age has nothing to do with it if you know what your doing you should do fine. Look up information on how to write and you can get better and less crap from people reading it. I'm trying to, and when I show it off they get emotional which is the point of it.
  • Nope! Writing is always good practice for writing. Realistically, very few first-time authors get their novels published, but in the process, they're learning tons about writing. If you have anyone you can trust who will read it or read parts of it and give you honest *constructive* feedback, that always helps. Professional writers *always* show their writing to people and have editors at the publishing house who go over their work with a fine-toothed red pen. The reason why is that you know what you want to say in your head, but it's not always easy to communicate that to a reader (who obviously isn't in your head!). A professional writer I know gives this advice: The most important thing you have to know about each character is "What would he do anything to avoid facing?" and "What would he do anything to have (or get back)?" Hope this helps! Keep writing!
  • You're kidding yourself if you have your heart set on getting published straight away. It's something that you will have to keep recreating for years, writing new things, disregarding what you once thought was so important in your work. Most people can't start off with one story and have most aspects of it good eg you might have a FANTASTIC plot but weak characterisation or phrasing that drags it down a bit. Keep working, though - everyone starts somewhere.
  • I just finished a novel, a fantasy book by someone who started writing it in high school. It's a very well written book and has several 'thumbs up' from great, well-known sci-fi/ fantasy writers. It can be done. If youhave a story in you, then by all means let it out. Even if it doesn't get published you owe it to yourself to do it. You will never regret it.
  • no, you are not kidding yourself. it will not be perfect at the first attempt, but like all other skills: it helps a lot if you practise and practise and practise.
  • no i dont think you are kidding yourself i am only 13 and have made childrens books i never published them but i think they are good. I think yuo should write and keep writing you seem like a very positive thinker about the future just keep trying you will succeed
  • no, your not kidding yourself - you must always reach for your dreams! NEVER let anyone spoil your fun and love for reading or writing...trust in yourself and your talent. You will go FAR
  • No! Don't give up! Writing is great! My best friend Sakura is such a great writer, and she's writting a novel herself. No matter how long it takes, keep writing. Even if you stop along the way and want to start over, just keep going. Make sure you have a friend or critic to read what you write so they can give an opinion. Do NOT GIVE UP!
  • know you are not kidding yourself "kid". I too am writing a story. lets share. my name is part of the series.
  • oh dude there is no such thing. i as well refer to myself as writer, though i havent undergone writing a novel (kudos by the way) but the point of writing is creativity, expressing your views, and making a statement. to hell with what people have to say, if they don't want it, they won't read it. get your work out their and get your ideas on paper, make a dent in the world however you see necasary
  • When I was your age, I started writing a long story, with chapters, that started with a young hero exploring a river, finding a cave, then going through that cave to find --dinosaurs. I never did finish that story/novel, but I had 3 or 4 chapters going on it. I wish I had finished it. I even invented a special language just for this novel. All lost. Go, write, you're not kidding yourself. Better write than not ...however juvenile or imperfect your writing may be. Just write, write, write and don't listen to those who say you can't, coz most of them are slackers anyway.
  • The hardest thing for any writer to do is finish the story. Get it all written, get it on paper, and GO FOR IT!
  • I am impressed you have done so much already. There are other examples of young people recording their stories to share. S. E. Hinton started her first book at about your age (subsequently she has completed many more, had several of them made into movies and is quite well to do). Wikipedia says this about her first effort: "The Outsiders is a novel by S. E. Hinton, first published in 1967 by Viking Press. Hinton was 15 when she began writing the novel and 18 when it was published. The Outsiders is an account of a traumatic time in the life of fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis. Hinton explores the themes of class conflict, brotherly love, friendship, and coming of age by following two rival gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, short for Socials, who are separated by social-economic status and political beliefs." I hope you enjoy at least as much success! Show any doubting Thomases how well you can do!
  • Although I have not written any novel and am not qualified to talk about writing one ,I believe novel writing requires not merely a grand vision but a consummate artistry and craftsmanship in planning and execution of the chapters as you go along .Being young is no disqualification if you have the sheer grit to go through with it by sustaining your interest in the job at hand.If you are a precocious child and have these qualities even otherwise I don't see any problem.You are not absolutely kidding yourself .I wish you all the best in your efforts.
  • Keep writing.Dont second guess yourself you may have a number one best seller, how will you know if you dont just do it?
  • I've been writing since I was fourteen, so, that would make four years. One thing you're going to realize as you get a little older, you perspective will change, along with other things. And these changes will result in changes in your writing. I remember how I wrote when I was fourteen and how I write now. I look back at my work then and often feel like crap because of how bad it is. I sometimes even get sick reading my own work, but that's a whole different story. We are our own worse critics. But the fact is, and I realize this now, I had to go through that "crap" period so in order to evolve into a better writer, and better to get that "crap" period out of the way when you're younger. Trust me, in four years you'll look back on you're writing and whether or not you like it is all up to you, but I say the younger you get started, the better, because the more time you have to learn and evolve.
  • no it's good for you to write at a young age like 15 JK Rowling started writing aged 5! I'm a fan fiction writer I started writing at age 12 or so myself and though i have never tried to publish anything except in the school newsletter I enjoy writing. i have learning difficulties and when i was at primary school my handwriting was dreadful it stayed that way until the summer between first and second year at secondary school (I live in scotland) I wrote over my summer break to improve my handwriting and it really worked
  • Absoluty not! I'm 18 and I've been writing a book for two years. I love it! It's fun to do in my spare time when i'm not going to school or drawing.
  • Hell no! Keep writing! All of the world's most acclaimed authors were fifteen at one point or another, and what do you think they were doing at that age?
  • No,, you aren't kidding yourself. Writing now is getting you ready to write that Great American Novel that we've all been waiting for. Keep writing.
  • No,, you aren't kidding yourself. Writing now is getting you ready to write that Great American Novel that we've all been waiting for. Keep writing.
  • DON"T QUIT!!! A top favourite novel of mine - and one that is so darned expensive it's impossible for me to buy even when a copy comes on the market - is 'The Green Bronze Mirror' The Authoress was about twelve when she wrote it - and it was her first. Even if yours is not a 'sucess' - you will have DONE IT. If you have any idea of how many people would 'love to write a book' and never follow through, you will realise that just in finishing it you have achieved more than most of us. Let us know when it's finished - I will buy the first copy!
  • KEEP WRITING!! I wrote my first novella at 15... and I'm still adding to it! That stupid story has been my baby for years, I don't know what I'd do without my little planet. Hey, you and me, one of these days Peter Jackson's gonna make a movie of our stories!
  • I have tried to write a novel myself. Don't give up. Writing a short story is good practice, but a short story isn't nesacery. Just be sure you got your info right (if its a non-fictional book) and I hope to read your soon-to -be published book soon:)
  • no not at all but just to chk ur self post some short stories to any mag and see response it wld help u in geting confident and know how
  • you are not kidding yourself it it wasnt for people trying we wouldnt have any books. i too am in the middle of a novel, inspired by dean koontz. i find the most prblem area is getting things out of my head on into written words that make a great read but hey if you dont try you will never know if you can.
  • No you are definitely NOT kidding yourself. Write, write, and write some more. There are more young authors than ever before. There are many published authors that started writing at very young ages. One of my faves is Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She wrote her first book when she was 13!
  • I had the same problem that you had (I say had as this is a few months later). It took me years to just write. I started in elementary school with short stories then it grew to writing novels. The thing that helped me is just write and not look back till you are done. When I'd write and look back before I finished I always thought "I could do better", then I would trash that and start over. Rarely got beyond 20 pages. So I'm letting a few people read my book and let me know as the audiance are the ones buying the book and not you. So I let family and friends read it and it's allowed me to move on. Although I still fight the urge to start over. Finish it, then you read it and change things you don't like and test it out. Change a paragraph and see what one people like more. And also realize your style of writing. Like art, everyone as their style and you can't compare yourself to your favorite authors.
  • Kudo's to you!! You're as good as you think you are. It's fabulous you're doing this and keep kickin' it until you get where you want with it. Persist without exception! Just don't forget us on your way up, lol.
  • I'm 17 and in the middle of writing my first novel. All the best with it :)
  • I'm sixteen and I've finished two novels, the first at age fifteen. Even if your first one sucks, like mine did, keep practicing, and you'll get better as time goes along.
  • hey, i was the same age when i wrote a short story.. i thought it absolutely sucked, but i got a couple awards for it.. you just never know!!! keep it up!
  • Wrote my first novel at 14, and haven't stopped yet. There's nothing better than telling stories and trying to get better at it every day and night. The more you write the more skills you get, and honing your ability to write will help you no matter what career you choose. Try forming or joining a writers group of any age-- not just your peers, and see if there are any local writing workshops or conferences you can attend (as a volunteer if you haven't the funds). Search the web for these writing events and look for scholarships because they love young writers. Get friends and teachers to read your stuff but don't let them to discourage you by their possible lack of interest. Read all you can because that's one of the best ways to improve. Classics-- there's good reason for them being called that! Watch movies of every sort. Most of the trick of writing is persistence. And always remember Paolini who was a teen when he finished his first novel!
  • No way, Keep worknig at it, I know one of my friends is an amazing writer, and they've written a whole lot of stories (not short ones) and if you're confident that you have the capability to wrie it go ahead, greatness has no age limit
  • Not a chance! If you love writing - by all means - keep writing. I'm a published author and except for a few years in my 20s (when I got caught up chasing dollar signs) I've always written. (Actually I started making a LOT more money when I started doing what I really loved. *big smile*) But I digress... One thing that transformed my writing (back when I was in high school) was learning how to take constructive feedback from writers more skilled than me - and not take it personally, get all upset, etc. What I'm saying is that if you wonder if what you're writing has merit - eventually you have to show it to others and if you've never heard professional criticism of your work - well, it can be tough the first time. Even if the person means well and wants to encourage you. If you see your book as "your baby" sometimes it's tempting to not want to change anything or take the advice of people more wise and skilled than you. So keep writing your novel. And, keep honing your craft. Keep learning to be a better writer. When I'd written and written for a couple years and it was time to really pull it together and publish my book - that was challenging. My book is a non-fiction, how-to book. But I had to really decided what stays in and what goes. And you realize that a book really is a represenation of YOU. You want it to be I had to ask the acid question about every sentence: "Who the heck REALLY cares?" It's not meant to be mean-spirited. But it does help you to clarify what's important. Now, I actually mentor people who are writing books. Only non-fiction, generally how-to or self-help books. All the best, Denise Michaels Author, "Testosterone-Free Marketing" A Business Bestseller
  • No!!! You are not kidding yourself, I am 13 years old and attempting a novel, and the easiest way, that I've found it to just write, and write and write, and when you run out ideas, then stop and think, review your story and write some more. I wouldn't care what others thought because if you love to write and are passionate about it, then don't worry avout what other people say. That's what I do.
  • never give up if u have a passion for it then u must do it. I've just turned 41 and i still love to write. short stories are good and well but keep focusing on ur novel and don't be afraid to rewrite beacuse the pros do. keep at it. Never let it be about the money and just do it because you love it and the rest will come out. Don't forget to read, read, read, it helps you with your own writing.
  • No. If you love writing then keep pursuing it. I started to write when I was about 14. I have been working on many stories. Go to a local book store and buy Writer's Market 2008 Deluxe Edition. If you want to know about professional writing this will help you. Also if you are able to take Creative Writing in college if you go, take it. It is very helpful. Good Luck
  • No way!! Hell, I'm 45 and I've wanted to write a novel for years and have not got beyond an outline and the first chapter. Keep writing and you will only get better and better!
  • thats so cool! i am too! dont worry about the short story thing. i think that short stories are one of the worlds worst inventions and i personally avoid them at all costs. although unfortunately i recently had to write a short story for school. im 14. id love to know what your novel is about! you are so not kidding yourself. if you want to write, write! i realize that i may be slightly biased because as we are doing the same thing if i say you wont make it i would mean i wont make it either. but sorry! im getting too pessimistic. i really think you can do it!
  • No. Just do it. Even if it did turn out crap, who cares? You'll just have a big list of things not to do for when you write your next novel. Or you'll have a big list of modifiers to turn that novel into a good one. Practise, practise, practise, practise .... if you love it then you'll get there - maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next year. Who cares? In a few years time you will be going out into the real world and you'll have to earn a living one way or another, even if it means doing a low-paid crappy job that you hate for the rest of your life. Or you have the opportunity to practise doing what you love, to the point where you can do that for money instead. You've got nothing to lose but everything to gain. Take it easy but DO IT!!!!!! Be aware that after spending months on a novel, things may seem boring to you but they are not to other people because they haven't read it yet but you've been thinking about it for the last few months. I used to write computer games. I was excited about making them but by the time I got them working I was sick of them. But the kids who played them were excited about my results but they would have been bored if they had have watched me program them. Creating something is always good. Having fun is never a waste of time. Just do it. Have fun and Good Luck.
  • No. The only way to get better is to keep writing. Never stop. If you need to take a break from the story, put it away and start on something else. Stephen King wrote a very good book on the craft of writing. It is not written soley on the subject of horror or even fiction. It has a lot of very good advice on the every day life of a writer and what makes a good writer. I recommend it to you. It is called: Stephen King On Writing: A memoir Of The Craft. The ISBN Number is 0-684-85352-3 This is one book by him that is almost forgotten. But, to a writer is contains wisdom worth its weight in gold. Don't give up. Keep going.
  • I'm just adding my two cents in agreeing with everyone that you should continue to write, no matter what. If you have technical problems, they can be learned. If you have creative problems, they can be learned and shared with other writers. Finding a good mentor can help. Best of luck, but luck comes with persistence.
  • It doesn't matter if you're kidding yourself or not. You are building a skill that will do you all kinds of good further along the line. Honestly, it's not easy even for a great writer to get published. The market is nearly impossible. But the Internet provides all kinds of possibilities, and the best writers do it for love of the craft. Find a good mentor or writer's group and learn all you can. And whatever you do, never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never, never, never give up!
  • You should read as much as you can and find out the secrets and mysteries behind writing long stories. I've written a novel and had fun doing it. But don't expect too much from your first novel. Usually you think is very good but if you rest it for sometime you'll find out there's a lot of stuff to change!
  • You're not kidding yourself. But you sound pretty pleased with yourself that you're writing a novel at 15. Honestly, it's not that impressive. It's cool that you are writing one, but its not like you're the first.
  • Keep going! My friend and I both have started writing a book...in eighth grade!! so go for it....take advice and criticism and use it to your advantage!
  • No way! I'm ourteen and I'm already looking to write my final draft and find an agent! Short stories are for aren't neccessary, and keep going! You could be the next Christopher Paloni(only better.)
  • That is natural. Just keep up the good work! What is it about?
  • You are not! Beleive in yourself and you can do anything. If it is your dream, and all you can think about is writing and your story - then do it, don't look back no regrets. Some of the best writers today didn't believe in themselves until they were older - if you believe now, you might just learn more sooner... who knows? It's worth a shot! :-)
  • Send me 3 pages (any) and I'll let you know. No kidding.
  • Caldwell Taylor wrote her first novel when she was 12 and it was great! Go for it!

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