I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Where would be a good place to start for a 15 yr old who wants to be a writer when she’s older?

Asked by: Tyrell Dollarz

How can a teen start writing a book?


Yeah but really only if you treat it as a learning experience. And if you take it seriously. It's a great way to learn how publishing works and to get yourself acquainted with how to do everything.

How do you begin a novel?

How to Write a Good Hook & Start Your Novel with a Bang!

  1. Startle readers with the first line. …
  2. Begin at a life-changing moment. …
  3. Create intrigue about the characters. …
  4. Use a setting as the inciting incident. …
  5. Up the stakes within the first few pages. …
  6. Introduce something ominous right away. …
  7. Set the mood.

What does it take to be a good writer?

To be an effective writer requires using words and sentences as tools to express ideas and emotions in a way that is distinct to you. Great writers—whether they are fiction authors, historians, memoirists, poets, or bloggers—must work to find their own voice.

How long does it take to write a YA novel?

Based on data from a 2021 survey Reedsy conducted, it takes most authors six months to a year to write a book. A writer’s timeline depends on the genre of the novel, the word count of the story, the amount of research you do, and the time you spend editing the completed draft.

Can I publish a book at 15?

In fact, many teens can participate in the editorial, legal, and marketing process – with the guidance of an adult, of course. So, how old do you have to be to publish a book? You can be any age, as long as there is an adult ready to help.

How do you write a book at 15?

How to Write a Book in 15 Amazingly Simple Steps

  1. Find your “big book idea”
  2. Research your genre.
  3. Outline the story.
  4. Nail the opening sentence.
  5. Write the first draft.
  6. Keep your readers in mind.
  7. Set word count goals.
  8. Schedule out a writing routine.

Where do I start my story?

Starting Stories: 5 Great Beginning Strategies

  • Strategy 1: Begin with action or dialogue. …
  • Strategy 2: Ask a question. …
  • Strategy 3: Describe the setting. …
  • Strategy 4: Begin with background information. …
  • Strategy 5: Have the main character introduce himself or herself.


What is a good sentence to start a story?

There was a secret meeting in the morning and she absolutely had to be there. There was something about a music box that always made me think of home… I opened my eyes and had no idea where I was… He was heading back to the one place he hoped he’d never have to see again.

Where do I start to write a book?

How to Write a Book

  • Establish a consistent writing space. If you’re going to write a great book, you’re going to need a great space to write. …
  • Hone in on your book idea. …
  • Outline your story. …
  • Do your research. …
  • Start writing and stick to a routine. …
  • Finish your first draft. …
  • Revise and edit. …
  • Write your second draft.

How many chapters should a YA novel have?

12-27 chapters



Most experts agree that 3,000-5,000 words per chapter is a good guideline to follow. So, 12-27 chapters for a YA novel would be a good range to start with. From there, you can narrow it down a little more by checking out similar books within the specific genre you’re writing.

How much does an author make per book?

A typical book author barely makes more than minimum wage. You receive an advance and 10% royalties on net profit from each book. If your book retails at $25 per copy, you would need to sell at least 4,000 copies to break even on a $5,000 advance.

How many chapters should a book have?

Most nonfiction books have between 5 and 20 chapters. Any less than 5 and your chapters may be running long or may contain too many ideas. That said, there are plenty of books with 30 or 40 chapters. And some books, usually with very short chapters, can have 50+.

Should I name my chapters?

Titles certainly aren’t necessary for individual chapters. Plenty of great novels simply use numbered chapters to break the story into sections. Still, some novelists use chapter breaks as an opportunity to add clarity or another dimension to the unfolding story.

How do you split a book into chapters?

7 Tips for Determining Chapter Breaks



  1. Create an outline. …
  2. Create a promise in every chapter. …
  3. End with a cliffhanger. …
  4. Practice rewriting chapter beginnings and endings. …
  5. Approach each chapter with a specific goal. …
  6. Start chapters with a sense of urgency. …
  7. Don’t switch POV in the middle of a chapter.


How do you write chapters?

Here’s how to write a book chapter:

  1. Create a chapter outline.
  2. Build out the chapter’s structure.
  3. Write an eye-catching chapter title or headline.
  4. Hook readers with your chapter intro.
  5. Expand your story with main points.
  6. Provide a recap that summarizes the chapter.
  7. Add a Call-to-Action & transition to your next chapter.


What should be included in a first chapter?

An ideal first chapter should do the following things:

  • 1) Introduce the main character. …
  • 2) Make us care enough to go on a journey with that character. …
  • 3) Set tone. …
  • 4) Let us know the theme. …
  • 5) Let us know where we are. …
  • 6) Introduce the antagonist. …
  • 7) Ignite conflict.

What makes a good chapter?

Think about how long each chapter should be. Short, action-heavy chapters help to speed up the pace. Longer, reflective chapters that linger over setting or historical description give the reader a breather. Longer chapters can make your story lose a sense of direction if they’re unfocused.



How do you start a chapter?

5 Ways to Start a Chapter and Keep Your Readers Engaged

  1. Begin with action. When in doubt, begin the opening scene of a new chapter with action. …
  2. Try a new point of view. …
  3. Reveal new information. …
  4. Include sensory details. …
  5. Jump through time.


How do you start your first sentence in a novel?

6 Tips for Writing a Memorable Opening Line

  1. Start in the middle of a story. The first lines don’t have to begin with long descriptions of a room’s appearance or a character’s personality. …
  2. Open with a mystery. …
  3. Flash back to the past. …
  4. Describe the current state of affairs. …
  5. Set the tone. …
  6. Start with a voice.




How long is a first chapter?

From these numbers, we can establish some guidelines: the average word count of a chapter typically falls somewhere between 1,500 and 5,000 words, with 3,000–4,000 being the most common sweet spot.

How many scenes should be in a chapter?

one scene

Chapters can be long or short



Each of your chapters can have only one scene or multiple scenes. There are no rules you have to follow except for what makes logical sense for your story. You’ll probably want to stay away from having lots of very short chapters unless your story takes many dramatic twists and turns.

What is a good chapter length?

Some will tell you 2,500 words is the average, while others will say that 3,000 to 5,000 word chapters are more likely to be the norm. Most agree that under 1,000 words would be rather short and that over 5,000 might be rather too long. As a general guideline, chapters should be between 3,000 to 5,000 words.

How long should each act be in a novel?

So, here’s how we can break down each act into a target number of scenes–the: First Act (20,000 words / 1,500-word scenes) = about 14 scenes. Second Act (40,000 words / 1,500-word scenes) = about 28 scenes. Third Act (20,000 words / 1,500-word scenes) = about 14 scenes.



What’s the difference between a scene and a chapter?

Scenes are mini-stories that link together to create your global story. They need to have their own beginning, middle, and end as well as a clear arc of change. Chapters are arbitrary divisions within a story that mainly exist to control the reader’s experience.

How many scenes should there be in a novel?

There aren’t any rules on the scene length, as long as the story works. You should write the scenes to the right length for your story. I would guess that most novels have anywhere from scenes. It might be an interesting exercise to go through some of your favorite novels and count the number of scenes.

How many scenes are in a short story?

Typically, a short story has about one or two main characters (with shorter character arcs than a novel) and 5-6 scenes, at the most. Some short stories that I have read had a single drawn-out scene—this helps the reader get immersed into the story because the story doesn’t swing between many scenes.