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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/31479
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I have developed a sci-fi/fantasy mixed universe with many characters, good amount of background lore and I have a plot for at least two different stories each for a single/multi novel length. So far all of this is standing simply written down as concepts. I want to put it into actual stories.

When I started initially to write - it didn't feel right. I've read a few articles about common writing mistakes and I started to understand why. I have no experience in writing. I had a lot of character backstory in the first sentences. Lots of telling, almost no showing. A ping-pong "he said", "she said" etc.

I think I should start writing short stories at first to improve my writing and clear my techniques, but I feel completely lost how to do it. Online articles are usually only scratching the surface. "Use all five senses", "Show, don't tell." - both great advice, but empty without details like to avoid 'to be' verbs or '-ly' words. On the other hand amount of specialized courses, books or even specialized articles on writing is... paralyzing. I'm not even sure what to look for.

How should I proceed from here? Is there any resources or methods that you can recommend?

Generally, any advice will be very welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Edit: To be honest I did not expect all those answers. I guess I needed a reminder that writing is a form of art and as with all art you simply must first fail a dozen times before you succeed. An art does not have a 'better' way to do it, it just have to be done. Thank you all for reminding me that.

Original score: 34