<p>Although the title might imply that I'm aiming for college admissions, I'm really not. I just want to be great at something. "Hook" is the only word I can think of that captures what I want to say.</p>
<p>I love to write. I was told by a few friends and my English teacher that I am a good writer and I have potential to really excel. I'm not a superteen like some people on CC but, I'm honestly good at writing. I know that I can make this out to be something great. I'm not trying to boast and I'm not conceded.
But, does any of the parents on CC have any advice on developing my writing? </p>
<p>Here's an example of what I mean. Some kids are good at playing the piano. Of course, they practice but, they do more to stand out. For example, they perform for others and against others at competitions just to show that they are really good at what they do. So, how can I do that for me and make my writing stand out? </p>
<p>To really write well, you need two basic things: (1) something interesting to say, and (2) the talent to say it well. And, as Taxguy said in another thread here, you also need (3) the ability to promote yourself and your writing.</p>
<p>First, are you taking advantage of the opportunities right in front of you: school newspaper, creative writing class, and - if there is one - the school's literary magazine?? Those would be the first step. If there is no literary magazine for the school, START ONE (a great hook for colleges). Work with a teacher to get going on this and figure out how to put out an annual publication of student work.</p>
<p>Second, look for opportunities outside of school. These could be local newspapers, for example, and the more "local" the better. So what would you write about? What is really interesting (to you and to others). Controversial subjects are good attention getters - do an informal poll of alcohol and tobacco use (or drugs or sex) in your school and get people to express opinions about it. Use that as the basis for an article, like an op-ed piece.</p>
<p>That should be enough to get you started, anyway.</p>
<p>In addition, there are plenty of scholarship contests that are based on essays. Enter and win some.</p>
<p>If you can afford to, go to some summer writing programs, and use those programs to produce some writing that you can self publish or publish in student or professional publications.</p>
<p>Since you are black, if you have any interest in journalism, you probably could get accepted to a Dow Jones Summer Journalism camp. They are free, about 10 days long and are for URMs. Do an Internet search to find information.</p>
<p>You also can start a creative writing club , join local writers clubs, attend writing workshops, take a summer class in creative writing, etc.</p>
<p>To develop your writing: write (including in a journal), edit (what separates the good from the great writers is the effort spent revising), and read excellent literature.</p>
<p>Thanx for all the responses, Northstarmom, yemaya13, and digmedia. </p>
<p>My school does have a literary magazine and a newspaper. I'm not interested in journalism so, the newspaper is not really a good outlet for me. The literary magazine is. My interest lies in Creative Writing. Unfortunately, I'm not in the school's literary club because my parents work and can't pick me up after school. It's published twice a year and the next issue will be in a few months. I'm already preparing writing pieces to submit. </p>
<p>Creative writing classes in school are not available options for me until I'm an upper-class-men. I've thought about taking summer creative writing programs but, they're usually a thousand dollars and up. I'm sure there are local summer programs that cost between a hundred to two-hundred dollars, hopefully.... At local libraries, there might be writing workshops. I'm not sure, though. Usually, the only things I hear about that occur at those libraries are Storytime and Arts & Crafts.</p>
<p>As Northstarmom mentioned, there are national student publications, such as Teen Ink, where I can submit my writing. I have a notebook where I keep all my stories. Some of the stories I'm definitely thinking about submitting. I've heard that the more you enter the better your chances of being published.</p>
<p>I'm not having any luck in finding competitions, except for a few, such as scholastic art and writing awards, Presidential Scholars in the arts ( seniors only). But, I'm not giving up. </p>
<p>Digmedia, I am actually thinking to contact my local newspaper. I am going to ask if there is a way they could create some sort of temporary amateur-fiction section where I could publish one of my short stories as a series or in a complete format. </p>
<p>Reading quality literature is not an issue. I'm a regular at my school's library.</p>
<p>I'll add a few more suggestions. First, don't turn up your nose at writing for the school newspaper. As a writer myself, I can attest that the type of writing you will do on the paper can help develop your writing skills for more creative types of projects. Becoming an excellent writer requires the ability to write succinctly, to be able to edit yourself, and to stick to deadlines --- all skills that working for the school paper can help you develop.</p>
<p>Second, branch out from your school's library if possible. Find a larger public library or even a large bookstore that will let you browse and read. Challenge yourself to read new types of things - poetry, classical literature, etc. Also, keep an eye out in large book stores for literary magazines such as the Kenyon Review that carry current creative writing. There is a book available called the Writer's Market Guide to Literary Magazines that lists all sorts of smaller publications who will accept stories and poems from writers. You won't get paid much, but getting published will help you build a portfolio of published writing. And, even if you don't get published right away, you can learn something about the BUSINESS of writing from every rejection. I'd also suggest you read back issues of the Writer's Digest - a magazine geared specifically for writers that contains lots of useful articles on writing technique. There are also many "how to" books that focus on writing skills and writing techniques - get some from your library and use them for ideas and new challenges in your own writing.</p>
<p>You might want to consider entering some writing contests specifically for high school students. Here are two that I am aware of, but there are others out there. A site called FastWeb can help you find more:
<a href="http://www.nfaa.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.nfaa.org/</a></p>
<p>Many summer programs will offer financial aid so don't rule them out entirely. I have heard good things about the Fir Acres Writing and Thinking program at Lewis & Clark College, and they do offer financial aid. To find other programs, try this link:</p>
<p>Finally, write. Every day. While you may not be able to take a creative writing class for a few years, ask your English teachers if they would mind reading and commenting on some of your work that you've done out of class. Ask them to be critical and give you specific suggestions for how you can improve. </p>
<p>Second Carolyn's advice. Don't turn up your nose at the newspaper opportunity.</p>
<p>I just finished reading Living To Tell The Tale by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It is his autobiography up to the age of 30. If you've read his fiction, you'd NEVER guess he was a journalist for small Columbian newspapers--for a decade--before he successfully published fiction. </p>
<p>Apparently, it took him that decade to figure out the structure of Faulkner's fiction. Meanwhile, he (barely) supported himself at various newspapers. </p>
<p>Very interesting reading....also recommend Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott as a funny book for writers-to-be.</p>
<p>" I'm not interested in journalism so, the newspaper is not really a good outlet for me. "</p>
<p>How do you intend to support yourself after you finish college?
A lot of novelists started out by being journalists. It is a wonderful way to learn about the world and to learn about writing.</p>
<p>Hemmingway was a journalist as was Tananarive Due, a contemporary fantasy/horror writer who used to be at the Miami Herald. There are plenty of other excellent novelists who started as journalists.</p>
<p>First of all, I'm going to be b1tchy and point out that your first post doesn't do much to impress a reader on your writing abilities. Your grammar and spelling mistakes in the simplest of sentences really do nothing to improve a reader's opinion of you. You should probably try and master grammar, as well as read books on classic literature. </p>
<p>^ I agree with them. You should take every opportunity that you can. You could also look into joining (or creating) a writing club at your school. If that doesn't work, I suggest frequenting writing boards and getting con/crit on work. You might get torn to pieces and your ego might be bruised, but eventually you will become a superb writer. :)</p>
<p>I'd be happy to give my opinion on your work. If you posted a sample I'd be more than happy to give con/crit. </p>