Any advice for getting started as a writer?

I would like to become a published author, primarily in short stories first, then maybe working my way into novels later. I tend to favor science fiction and fantasy, though I could just as easily write fiction that takes place in modern times. I would appreciate any information on writers markets for soliciting stories, as well as any suggestions regarding the develpment of my skills. Thanks in advance.Any advice for getting started as a writer?
Two answers that have already been given are valuable: read, and write. Now, to expound on those. Read everything you can, including non-fiction and fiction outside your own genre. While you're reading, make notes on cards or paper. What does the author do that impresses you with plot and dialogue? How is scenery and mood handled? Does the author use a certain type of words that allow you to really the feel the book? Best of all, do you forget you're reading a BOOK? If you've forgotten, then it's a good one.


When you write you're own work, be careful not to copy, or plagerize. This, as you may know, is a huge NO-NO in the writing world. Find your own style, your own theme, your own voice, and stay true to it. This is easier said than done, but you will be able to say it's all yours.


I have a published novel,a handful of articles and another novel in the works, and if you'd like more detailed help, I'd be glad to assist.


Also I suggest visiting the following website for further help, resources, publisher help, markets for short stories and articles and a TON more!Any advice for getting started as a writer?
READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ,(everything)


then go to school.
Very simple (and seriously, I'm not being flippant here): WRITE!
Read other books of the same genre to see what sort of quality people demand. The more you read the better you actual writing skill will become because you learn about sentence and paragraph structure. If you read a lot of one particular author you might even Begin to copy that authors style of writing. That happened to me, i read almost nothing but Stephan King and now i write in a similar way.


Most of all the best pieces of advice i can give you are these:


PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE. The more you write the better you will become.


DON'T BE AFRAID. More specifically, don't be afraid to rewrite your work. it's simple, as soon as you've fined a story bin it and start writing it again from the beginning without looking at the old copy. You will find that the story gets better the second time around, in fact you will find the story keeps getting better even at the seventh time around.


This is because when you first write the story you are thinking up all the details from scratch, but when you come to it second time around some details are already in your head and that leaves you free to dream up more. this continues on and on as long as you want, only you can decide when it's good enough to send off to a publisher. from experience i would say around fifth or sixth draft.


There are so many websites with lots of sound advice all you have to do is look for them, use Google. Google is a writers godsend.
stop reading immediately, stop thinking after that....





and what would be left out.....








To write ofcourse....





besto!
Get inspiration. Relax, let the ideas come to you. Always remember to put emotion into your writing. You must write only what you believe in. Create a storyline first. You need to have a basic concept then slowly put the different parts together. Make a story frame or skeleton that can help you fill in details. Snippets when you feel like it also tend to be helpful. Oh, and research. Yeah, very very important.