I need help writing

[Enchantedwriter]

I had just decided to start a blog sharing inspirational short stories though I actually have little to no knowledge on story writing. I do have ideas running through my mind, wrote down the plot of the first story I want to publish along with scenes I want to put in but I'm stuck at the putting in the details part. I got some advice about writing techniques like show, don't tell, active telling etc and now I'm confused on how to put it into my story and thoughts like what I want my readers to feel or do I go with my emotions? I first wanted to start for money but the thought of emotions and people's experiences in the form of words made me feel this wierd high. But now in the midst of confusion i feel I won't cut it and may give up not long from now. I have researched writing forums for constructive feedback but most just have bad reviews. So I was wondering if I could find anyone with experience who can help give feedback one on one. And also if i can get advice and suggestions on writing for a beginner

You just have to get started and keep going. Obviously read as many short stories as you possibly can to get a feel for the structure. Remember there must be a chain of cause and effect running throughout.

You could also try entering a competition that gives feedback, such as https://www.globesoup.net/writing-competitions or joining groups like Critique Circle or Scribophile. Jericho Writers is well regarded too.

Have you considered doing a creative writing course? They cover things like show not tell. I had an excellent English teacher who helped us with these things for our short essays.
He did say that he was just covering basics and that a creative writing course would be good if any of us wanted to take it forward.
They do classes at our local college but there must be some online too.
Have you looked at writing groups on FB?

Quite expensive, but this guy is good ( I've only listened and read his free stuff)
https://www.theminimalists.com/blog/

OP, gently, if you are already feeling like giving up when you haven’t even written a sentence, maybe writing a blog of short stories isn’t for you at this point? Start much smaller, maybe, with writing a single short story. I’m confused about your reference to money — were you planning to monetise your blog?

This one I mean sorry

Have you thought about writing flash fiction? Read as much flash fiction as you can, it’s short form content is ideal for those overwhelmed by longer stories. Also - just start! Set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes and write continuously in that time. Do not worry about it being good or it making sense. Google Free Writing techniques. They are perfect for those that struggle to actually start writing.

Look up writing competitions. Set yourself a goal to enter just one this year - there’s nothing like a deadline to get you motivated!

Start small. You have your short story plot - that’s brilliant! Break it up into small sections and make it your goal to write the first section by a certain date - then reward yourself!

Connect with other writers ✍️ Join writers groups on Facebook- you can post the opening of your story for example and get feedback.

Join a creative writing group - a perfect way to meet others like you.

Most of all - enjoy the process, relax and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Good luck! 🤞

Learning how to write in paragraphs would be a good start.

I was going to monetise by just writing in whatever niche sell but soon realized I liked story writing for the sake of it like expressing my views and emotions so I decided to just go into it and see where it leads

That's the trick I think. Just write, and you'll soon find your voice.

Thanks, I feel more certain to go on now

Genuinely, OP, actually write and polish something to the best of your ability before even thinking about how to make money from your writing. You say in your OP that you have little to no knowledge about short story writing, and from what you say, you haven’t written a single story yet, so I think you’re setting the cart before the horse.

I don't think anything beats going on a course. Whether it's a degree, short college course, writers workshop. My dd uses WattPad to get stories out there. Sometimes a favourite author will offer Q&A seasons on social media. Book clubs are thought as for just readers, but the more you read and discuss, the more techniques you can learn. You can go along to book festivals and book into seminars by authors - Oxford Uni do a brilliant one in the summer, as do our local private schools, albeit on a smaller scale.

Good advice!

I'm interested to know how you think you will monetise a blog showcasing short stories. Do you know anyone else who does this? It's very hard for anyone to make money from short stories, even an experienced author.

Do you actually read anything? When was the last time you bought a book? What was it? And when was the last time you bought a short story?

Actually thinking back I have done stories and journaling as a kid before but just for fun like some kind of a reality escape as a kid but forgot about it as a family member found it, thought of it as a waste of time and scolded me. But I did write a story for an english exam in high school because it felt easier. My teacher told me I did a great job, helped correct my work and I scored more than I had expected. I just didn't think I know much because I couldn't put in details but looking back now I realized it may just one of the things I underestimated in myself and just needed time and space so I have decided to continue and just keep learning more. Thanks for the advice, polishing before even thinking of the money part.

Wouldnt hurt to try. I usually choose to read short stories I find rather than longer ones and as I said. I started for money but now I just want to write.

I'm not sure what you want to do, OP. Is it a blog where you explore short stories, or is it a blog consisting of short stories, which are yours? If the latter you are starting at the wrong end. Short stories are hard. You have to get a plot, an idea and characters across in a small number of words. I am just thinking about entering my writers' group's annual short story competition and the word limit is 2k. That's not much!

You need to read short stories in the genre that interests you. Read lots. Analyse what the authors are doing. Mostly they will be showing you what happens, and their story will give only a tithe of what they know about the characters and scene (this is known as the iceberg).
At the same time, write. Keeping a journal is always useful since it sets up the habit of writing. Do character sketches and descriptions. Think of some plots - there are 9 variations (all 9 are in the Bible and 7 in the Odyssey) including the quest, defeating a monster, voyage and return etc. At this point there are various approaches. Some writers produce a blueprint of how the story (or novel, or play) will go. Others start with a group of characters, a general idea of story projection but no strict plan. The second version is liable to get you over your word limit btw, but also produces good, and unexpected, stories.

Start writing.

I am so sorry an (idiotic, stupid) family member told you off for writing fiction and said it was a waste of time. Fiction is the great thing that humans do. Shakespeare wrote fiction, Balzac, Milton. Forget that horrid experience and write. 💐

It might be idea to mess about with some Ai help.
I write bids and some content for my day job, and ChatGPT can often throw up some good elements/summaries. I don't use it very much, only when I'm really stuck, but I know lots of people use it for most of their writing outputs.

I'm not for a second suggesting relying on it completely, but it can be a useful tool/support.

https://www.writelikeagrrrl.org/ does great creative writing courses for gaining the confidence to write. They focus a lot on understanding what they call the 'inner critic' which is that little voice inside you telling you to give up writing. To me it sounds like your first job is to get your inner critic under control so that you can give yourself the space to experiment. The other thing I learned on these courses was to play on the page - i.e. just have a go at writing the idea you've got in your mind, and then see what you think once it's down. You can always change it later.