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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/40423
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

_Sorry if I use the wrong terms or make a wrong assumption. I consider myself a beginner, and I know that I still have to learn a lot in the field._

* * *

I write as a hobby. I do it when I have the time, after work or during free weeks. Even though it is amateur stories, I try to do everything the _right way_. That means I try to follow the precepts I see from experienced writers, read about writing (here, on blogs, reddit...) and try to always improve myself. Finally, when I think my story is good enough (let's be honest, it is not), I post it somewhere to eventually receive feedbacks from kind readers.

But here is the problem: **I never learned the basics of writing.**

It strucked me the first time I heard about _first drafts_. At the time, I had to search what people meant when they used this vocabulary, and even today, I am not 100% certain of what is is... Now that I know it is one of the most basic thing about writing, I am wondering if I am not missing something else that could drastically improve my writing.

It is not that I have no notions, but rather that _I do not know what I do not know_. For example, I don't have a _methodology_ when writing. I basically just think of a story layout in my head, begin writing, and make modification on the starting idea as I advance, perhaps with some editting in-between. In this particuliar case, I feel like I am missing the opportunity to use a common methodology that I have never heard of, and that would make my life so much simpler.

**And this also apply to the more advanced concepts.**

If I do a lot of research, there will be a point where I will be relatively certain to _know the basics_, mostly because they are all over the internet. But it's a complete different matter if I want to become more professional, and pass the stage of _beginner_. This is where it becomes extremely hard to find new information. Where can I learn about the methodology of storymaking and worldbuilding? Where can I learn to develop memorable characters? Or how can I even know what to search for? There is plenty to learn about _building a scenery_ in a novel, yet so little information out there.

With a bit effort, I can find paid [courses](https://www.udemy.com/topic/writing/) that threat that sort of things, but I am not willing to spend so much money for my hobby. And, while it might be _okay_ to remain clueless when publishing my writing online, it is a 100% chance of failure faced with an editor.

**Therefore my question is: where can I learn about the basics of writing ? And where can I learn more advanced concepts and techniques ?**

_TL;DR: What's in bold._

Original score: 11