F is for Friday Five (and Flu)

I'm going to cheat a bit with "F" and I can do that because it's my blog. Let me explain. Right now "F" is for Flu, because for the second time this year I have it. You didn't read that wrong - 2nd time!  Due to my current state I'm slightly less enthusiastic about sitting at the computer, which is why I'm going to combine posts and use "F" to satisfy my A to Z goal as well as participate in Friday Five for the the group blog, Paper Hangover, I contribute to.

Don't forget to link your blog post on the Paper Hangover site and we'll all check it out.

Without further ado...

Friday Five prompt: The Five things you wish you'd known before you became a writer...

In no particular order:

1. If you have an idea and don't know how to make a story out of it, start asking yourself questions to flesh the story out. The good old classic who, what, where, when, and how is a good start to learning more about your idea.

2. Characters are vital. An idea will only get you so far, but fully developed, well thought out characters drive a story. Do this by studying people. Their movement, behavior, manorisms can become your characters'.

3. Become a member of Verla Kay's Blueboard. The wealth of information there is invaluable as is the community of writers. Writing is lonely, you should try to surround yourself with people who who share your passion.

4. Read, read, read!!! (Write, write, write!)

5.Pay attention during English class when you are working on vocabulary and grammar. These are two powerful tools you'll need in your toolbox, and it's more work having to learn it when all you really want to do is focus on creativity, not the structure of a sentence, which doesn't come naturally because you weren't paying attention.

I seriously could go on, but I'll stick to the rules (even if I did technically combine more than one piece of advice into some of the five).