Teen problem

ItIsThatGirl

All I've ever wanted to do in my mediocre life, was to write. I love writing, it's something I've always loved doing..However, my English teacher, my friends, and my classmates seem to think otherwise. They said I can't write, at all, and I should focus on something different...I'm only sixteen but I honestly have no other interests. I love the feeling of security I gain from being absorbed into my copybook..I don't know what to do...

Mr. Incognito

If you want to write then write.

If words are your craft then books are your apprenticeship.

Read George Orwells essay on English language as a start

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm

Tokyo

Count yourself lucky that you know what you want to do in life - most people aren't that lucky and often find out too late that they should have done something else with their lives. To quote the above post, if you want to write, then write.

Considering your age, I'd start looking into the courses you can pursue in college once you finish school, or creative writing courses in your area. In the meantime, this very forum has its own Creative Writing section, should you want to get more information, feedback and constructive criticism about your work, etc.

dashcam5586

Op you're only 16. You have a couple of years of secondary school left to go before you fully make up your mind, so dont worry!

In the meantime keep writing! Do well in school, work hard at English and other subjects you like.
Develop your writing skills!

When the time comes to choose your CAO university options you will know if its right for you.
You can pick something related to writing. You still need to spend years in college developing these skills too.

Its a long journey and if its what you truley love then you should keep at it!

Jenneke87

There's a big difference between what really is, and what other people think. They say you can't write, do any of them write themselves, or ever engaged in any kind of arts themselves? Who are they to judge you in the first place, they should be helping you fulfilling your dream.

I think some of the "advice" might be given out of concern for the future, where they would prefer to see you in a more stable kind of career which writing doesn't usually offer. But at the end of the day it's your call what you wanna do and if it's writing then go for it and let nothing stop you. I wish you all the best

Alf. A. Male

Didn't JK Rowling amass a huge number of publisher rejections when she started submitting Harry Potter? Clint Eastwood and the Beatles were famously rejected by studios and labels. Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do. Work hard at it, but don't give up

sadie06

OP, have a read of this link and it may cheer you up. It's wonderful that you feel you have a calling. You don't mention reading though. Read, read, read! As someone else said, that is what will help you find your own style.


http://thoughtcatalog.com/rachel-hodin/2013/10/35-famous-people-who-were-painfully-rejected-before-making-it-big/

alleystar

ItIsThatGirl wrote: »

All I've ever wanted to do in my mediocre life, was to write. I love writing, it's something I've always loved doing..However, my English teacher, my friends, and my classmates seem to think otherwise. They said I can't write, at all, and I should focus on something different...I'm only sixteen but I honestly have no other interests. I love the feeling of security I gain from being absorbed into my copybook..I don't know what to do...

Why would your English teacher say that you "can't write at all?" Classmates and friends aside, I would never expect a teacher to say that to one of their students in this day and age. Are you sure you picked that up right?

P. Breathnach

mike_ie wrote: »

... To quote the above post, if you want to write, then write....

Yes. But you should also read.

You should also pay attention to grammar and syntax. It disappoints me greatly to read stuff from people who want to be writers, and who can't construct their sentences properly.

It's useful if you have something that you want to say.

Stavro Mueller

ItIsThatGirl wrote: »

All I've ever wanted to do in my mediocre life, was to write. I love writing, it's something I've always loved doing..However, my English teacher, my friends, and my classmates seem to think otherwise. They said I can't write, at all, and I should focus on something different...I'm only sixteen but I honestly have no other interests. I love the feeling of security I gain from being absorbed into my copybook..I don't know what to do...

I don't think this has anything to do with your writing abilities but out of concern for you. You don't need me to tell you that writing's the sort of career which doesn't always put bread on the table. There are god knows how many people out there also trying to get that book published, the editor to publish their article etc.

I could be wrong of course but how you're describing your relationship with writing is ringing alarm bells for me. It's a nice hobby to have but you're talking about having no other interests and loving the feeling of security you get from it.

baby and crumble

OP, what have you been writing? Where have you shown it off? In what context have these people seen your writing? Remember that writing is very subjective, as is reading and all the varied tastes that go along with both- it may be that you have an unusual style that doesn't gel with your friends or teachers. Remember that your teacher (if she/ he did indeed mean that you "can't write") is looking for the type of writing that will get you through your exams and out of the secondary school system successfully. This is not necessarily the most creative style of writing!

Like others have said, join a local or online writing group, and yes, be prepared for critique and criticism of your work. Even the literary greats have had terrible, terrible reviews. It's simply not possible to write something that everyone likes, or even can tolerate. Maybe start a blog, try out different types of writing- not just fiction and standard "stories" but stream-of-consciousness blogging, poetry, travel pieces, plays, anything and everything. Think about what kinds of training and education you could do to further your abilities- that might not be a degree, I'm sure there are possibly more relevant courses.

And definitely pay attention to learning about sentence structure, paragraph building, grammar, spelling, syntax... Many writers forget about basic editing and structure skills and it can kill a fantastic storyline dead in less than a page.

FunLover18

Keep writing, you can only get better. Your friends and family do not represent the opinion of everybody, there is an audience for everything you just have to find yours.

Pick a college course that allows you write, Arts or journalism. In the meantime try blogging, do it anonymously and get the opinion of complete strangers who have no idea who you are. There's also a Creative Writing forum here on Boards

RossFixxxed

Being conscious of this being P.I and the need to be polite: your english teacher is an idiot, and an embarrassment to their profession. Screw what other people think about it: It makes you feel good, and it harms absolutely NOBODY. Keep doing it. You will always improve at what you practise.

As said above JK Rowling got a HUGE number of rejections, and a tiny print run of Harry Potter.

I play guitar myself, and I get ok, and then I suck again but I enjoy it. It's not about being the best, or being in front of 100,000 people at a festival. It's theraputic, it's relaxing and I enjoy it.

Keep at it, and don't let the bitter people drag you down. Half the time it's someone who CAN'T ACUTALLY DO IT THEMSELF that will try to drag you into their mire of failure. Screw em all.

Neyite

I can't write op, but I love to read, as a child I had my head stuck in a book. So while I couldn't write, I have read books that were poorly constructed, haphazard plots and so on. I can spot a crap writer. But you know what? They still published.

With the surge in e- readers, publishing in its traditional format is dying and authors are self-publishing on amazon (them taking a nice cut of the profits too I imagine!) so there is no reason you can't write.

Having said that, all creative people have had day jobs to pay the bills until their big break, and you'll need to as well. Why not consider a career in the field, that will give you an income, give you the networking contacts in the industry, give you an understanding of how the industry works and pays the rent until your work gets published- proofreader, editor or along those lines. (It may also get those people off your back)

I'd also highly recommend the creative writing forum, there is some great talent there you can learn from.

paperclip2

They key to writing is reading really. Part of the issue could be that you haven't yet discovered your 'voice' or the writing style that suits you best. When we try to write in a style that doesn't suit us or about things we don't know well enough, it can come across as stilted or inauthentic. This might be causing the problem with your teacher. Reading widely both increases your knowledge base and exposes you to many different 'voices' and writing styles.

Also bear in mind that the type of writing that is encouraged in 2nd level is often very functional, answering questions, writing certain types of answers, etc. If this functional writing isn't your strong point then it can be difficult to write well in it.

But please don't let others put you off. Accept that criticism is part of a writers lot and try to develop a thick skin. Remember your teacher is looking at your writing from a very narrow perspective, that of passing an exam. If you have a very descriptive style, using a lot of adjectives this may not go down well if you are writing business letters for example. If you have a very pared down, minimalistic style, this may not suit narrative. But so what, you are 16, you are still developing your ability. Keep at it. Bear in mind that James Joyce's Ulysses would not have met the standard criteria for passing the Junior or Leaving cert either! Best of luck.

LegacyUser

cymbaline wrote: »

I could be wrong of course but how you're describing your relationship with writing is ringing alarm bells for me. It's a nice hobby to have but you're talking about having no other interests and loving the feeling of security you get from it.

I would have described myself exactly the same when the OP's age cept I'd replaced copybook with sketchbook. I wanted to follow a career in art, it was all I cared about when I was in school. I never enjoyed secondary school, had no real social life, no real friends, no other interests, I lived for my art. I went to college and just blossomed when surrounded with peers who shared the same passion as me. I went from being introverted to very out going. I've done very well with my work and been lucky to work full time at what I love.

OP our secondary school structure is not great for promoting creativity I'm afraid. Most of the people I went to art school went never even took Art for the leaving cert as they just knew the art they expected for secondary school and what you'd actually do in college and in the art world were not related at all. The same can be said for creative writing, I was told by my english teacher I wasn't a good writer yet my last year in school I won a national short story competition in a big national paper. The teacher was suddenly all over me telling me how great a writer I was and trying to take credit when she didn't even know I'd entered. Keep writing, keep reading, get involved online with creative writing forums and consider getting involved with zines and the like. There are several small press publishing groups and events around the country for people publishing zines of short stories and poetry.

castaway_lady

Some people love to cut down others, usually to make themself feel better. This shouldnt be a teacher but anyway, they dont rule the world and wont be marking your leaving cert paper so what the heck. Write blogs, stories, whatever you enjoy writing. Id imagine most people are jumping to the conclusion that writing isnt one of the careers they consider stable, permanent and pensionable etc etc.
And it may take you a long while to make money from it, but sure you can always work your way into fulltime writing over time if you do have what it takes. If in the long run this isnt the case then you can write for you and perhaps a niche internet audience and do something else to pay the bills.

Rubberchikken

dont let others put you off.
if you love doing this, stick with it. and read lots. broadens the mind.
good luck.

actua11

Sounds a little similar to myself. Five years ago I was told that I couldn't write and ended up buying into the criticism such that I took ordinary level English for the leaving cert. Fast forward to now and after a 4 year degree I am now working as a journalist (very small time, but working as a writer none the less)

At school I think at your age it may just be a case of knuckling down and just having to grin and bear your studies in the short term and get the best results that you can, no real way around that.

For your writing though, there's no limits. You can go for a level 8 degree in college (English degrees started at around 300 points last year), or you can do a diploma. Maybe the most rewarding place to start in the short term would be to start submitting some of your writing to online writing communities to get some praise, (mainly) criticism and feedback. There's no better boost than the first time someone you've never met compliments your work.

Also see if you could e-mail writers or people who work at publishers that you might be interested in and ask for advice. When you explain that your a teenager looking for a future in the industry, you'll be surprised how happy people are to help.

There is the problem that many people have said, is that it will be something that's very difficult to make a career out of (applies to anyone trying it), but for now it's something which you do in your spare time, so for now enjoy the pleasure and security that writing gives you and see how far it can take you.

Best of luck with it

OP, if you want to write, then write.

I would like to consider myself a writer and when I read back at content I've done when I was your age, it makes me cringe. The grammar is bad, the writing style is bad, but the ideas are good - in many ways, I compare myself to a young Kilgore Trout.

Honestly, the only way to get better at writing is to write more, and, as someone has mentioned here already, to read more. This is a massive part of it. Consume as many books as you can, in the genres that you want to write about.