White's Course on [Your First Work]

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Greetings,

My name is White, rather known through a myriad of sources as WhiteSamurai.

No, just call me white, saves typing space and time.



See? You almost clicked off of this post because it didn't catch your attention right off the bat, don't worry though, that's really just how the human mind works. I'll be making separate posts regarding my various self-discoveries and techniques. If I were to put everything in one place, or rather even try, then almost nothing would actually get to those who need to learn from it.

My guides simply aren't beautiful works of art using all of the various font and layout options available, they only serve to provide the necessary resources to that one person who would benefit from them. Nothing more, nor less.



Now, onto the purpose of this guide, Your First Work.


This is often the most difficult challenge we writers will face during our short, long, or life-long careers as creators. The first concept, the first story, the first work we create to share with others.

This can often be a rather emotional and scary time as we have no idea how our work can compare to others, we have no feedback from previous works, no built up confidence. In short, our confidence is at its most vulnerable point right here.

At this time, what is most important is not to falsely build yourself up with bravado or confidence in yourself, but in your work. The thing about one's first work is, no one is expecting you to make the release, nor hounding you for the next chapter. You have an unlimited amount of time and energy to work on, revise, rewrite, or redraft your first work. Take your time, no one will be upset with you for not putting out content the first day you sit down to write something. There are times where writers will take over a week coming up with an idea.

Of course we're not sitting around for hours stewing over an idea, if we can't come up with an idea, then walk off and do something else. Every last thing you do during your day, from walking down the street, to watching TV, to reading other works, everything can be that one thing that sticks in your mind and makes you feel "That's It!". When that happens, you've just had your first "Aha!" moment, your first inspiration. Once again, just because you've gotten yourself an idea, doesn't mean you need to pull out your pen and paper, or start typing, you have all the time in the world. If the idea you have is really that good, then you won't forget it if you stew on it for a bit.

Often if you think about about how the story will progress for a few days, you will find something out that many writers may never realize. Every day you think about your idea, it will be slightly different. Just because you aren't actively thinking about your idea, doesn't mean it isn't still on your mind. From the moment you have your moment of inspiration, to the moment you put your first word on the page, your mind will be constantly thinking of how to make this story sound better.

Don't worry about how other people will think about your work, or what it will be rated, or what is popular. Think only of what 'You' want to write about. If you don't enjoy what you write, then what really is the purpose at all? Even if every person out there refuses to enjoy what you write, so long as 'You' enjoy reading the story, the characters, the world you created in your own right, then who is really to say that you can't write, it only means that it is truly your story if you can still enjoy it even in the face of criticism. There's nothing better than reading a few chapters of your own work after a few weeks, and you can't help but smile as you enjoy the story yourself. THAT, that is what truly matters when you create your first work. Not the rankings, not the comments or popularity, but the story you wanted to stick your neck out to make.

If you truly looked deep inside, and found something that you would enjoy reading, then go out and make it, no one will ever be able to make you stop creating something you enjoy. Even if every comment is full of criticism, that never, ever means that no one likes your work. In fact, if even a few people read your work, even a single view, that only means that there is that one other person who is reading and enjoying your work, just as you are when you create it. You work hard, dedicate your energy, and create something that makes you feel worthwhile, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing that view counter go up every few minutes. You may even keep hitting the refresh button to see when you get your first view. Don't feel ashamed, many writers will do it, though few will admit it ^^' .

Now, not everyone has great grammar, and it is not always your fault. From education to nationality, culture and heritage, there are many things that can influence how we speak, and write. It is especially hard when you simply did not speak English as your first language, and that barrier may very well always follow you. There isn't anything wrong with how you write, you just need to be mindful that many people on the internet speak English, and many, many people are critical about how things are written and how you form your words. While you should always be mindful that you are using a different language and should always look over your work so that you can sync it to the language you decided to write in to the best of your ability, there is no shame in struggling to have perfect grammar.

Every. last. writer. will. make. mistakes.

Every single one.

No one can write a perfect work, even very popular works that go through dozens of editors for weeks on end can have an error or two slip through, it happens, don't be upset that you aren't perfect. That's just how life is, and at times, it is your very imperfection that can serve to make your work 'Unique'. But that my friends, is another guide for a different time.


For the starting writer, it will often be best for you to avoid typing out your work first. Pick up a pen or pencil, and write it down on paper. Let the pages fly as you create your work, no matter how long it may become. After you finish your first chapter, be it prologue or chapter 1, let it sit. Remember, if you really care about your story, your mind will never let it go, so don't worry about forgetting something, chances are, if you walk away and return to it when you feel in the mood for writing next, you will have things to add that will make the story even better. When you come back to the work, no matter how long it has been, you can either go through your little notebook, or what have you, and edit it down as you choose, or, you can start typing it out.

Be open minded, just because you already wrote something down, doesn't mean you have to keep it. What this written down version can easily become, rather than words you are printing to a page, is a series of notes, inspirations, ideas that you can further. Sometimes when you come with a fresh mind, you find pieces or ideas in your work that you would want fleshed out, so do so. Keep writing, keep building, so long as you can feel the story moving while you write, expanding ideas and expanding characters will almost never hurt you. The more development you can sync into your story, the better everyone else can follow along. No one can read your mind, so even if you can roughly understand why something is happening, very few readers will. If you think something is too vague, then think about how you could expand it there, or somewhat later in the story to clarify the idea. Sometimes, expanding on ideas before, or after something happened will only make your work read even better. No one likes a story filled with coincidences, try spreading out events, meetings, and interactions. If you plan for a character to play an important role in something later down in the story, alluding to(noting in the story) the skill or trait that will play that role. Leaving hidden seeds within your work that will bloom later are always appreciated by the more developed reader. Remember though, over saturating a chapter with too much lore, or forcing too much information/ plot in one go can be off putting, so spread it out. It won't hurt if it takes a chapter or two to fully explore a concept, so long as it reads well all the way through.


Remember that later on, if you choose to write other things, or create great works that are read by many, you will always think back to that first chapter. The ideas and excitement as you were creating your own story. Even if nothing ever comes out of it, the memories and emotions you feel as you create something of your own will follow you for years to come. If it is important to you, then it is important, never forget that you, are you. Your work is something special, if you put your feelings, your dreams, your heart into every detail, then no one can say otherwise. Go on, think big, bigger than anything before.  

Later on, you will always remember, Your First Work.



For help on other aspects of writing, see other Guides made by WhiteSamurai or other fellow writers who are more than willing to help you.

If you ever see someone needing advice and this helped you, feel free to link, reproduce, or share this material. If you are willing, a friendly reference is always appreciated, but as long as these words continue to help others, then that is truly all that matters.

If you have something you need help with, or want an opinion on your work, feel free to drop White a PM on RoyalRoadl and he will get back to you often within a few days.






For more, view each release of "White's Course on-":

The Guide to "White's Course-"




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~White