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Fonkou Djoendia

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I want to write a book! Any advice?

Hello:) First of all, thank you again so much for taking your time to help me. Your gratitude means a lot to me. I am still not very experienced and so I tend to ask a lot of questions. I'm sorry if that bothers anyone. I started a thread a while ago named "What are 5 things you have learned that has completely changed your life?" that now has 290 posts, thanks to all of you amazing people! And I have been really inspired lately. I love writing, and I believe that I have the potential to write something great! I love helping people, and I believe that I have life sort of figured out. I don't want to sound arrogant because I am truly not. But I helped a lot of people in my community already. I spoke with this elderly woman once who had cancer, and we talked for hours about deep stuff. And a week later she send me a letter telling me how much I inspired her, and how much I changed her life. And so, I really do believe that I can inspire a lot of people. I want to be a motivational speaker and a writer. I JUST WANT TO HELP. Now my questions are. Should I wait, get older before I start writing or should I start now? I don't like the idea of a teenager telling adults how to live their life. People will not take me seriously. And also, I feel like I need to wait and really experienced life first. I don't know what to do, or what direction to take. I trust you guys. You people are amazing. Joining the Ted community is one of the best things I have ever done, so I really do have a lot of respect for you guys! And so if you have any advice, please share them with me! Merci!

Fonkou.

Topics: book creativity education help life teenager
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Jun 26 2012: If there is a message, there is usually a messanger.
    If there is that idea that you truly believe in, that idea that comes from conviction, which you have tried, tested and are not afraid to defend if the need arises; the write. Share it.

    Even though this doesn't seem to apply to you, but a writer must be prepared to suffer persecution or even death, for his or her ideas.
    Steve Biko,an anti-apartheid activists and the writer of 'I Write What I Like', was killed for his ideas; Salman Rushdie, the author of 'The Satanic Verses' was persecuted for his book.

    If you have the courage to share your innermost thoughts with the general public; then, go for it!

  • Rhona Pavis 50+

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    Jun 26 2012: Now is the best time to start writing. Express your true feelings and thoughts about anything at all. You are just the right age. Wisdom is located in people of all ages. Assume there are people who are eagerly waiting to read what you want to write. Write. Right on! Write on! When the real you writes and others read it, you are blessing them. Right now you are everything you need to be to write what you want to write. Start right now, please. Thank you.
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    Gerald O'brian 50+

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    Jun 26 2012: Be honnest, write about what you know. And start with your own secrets, let them drive you.
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    Sue Hu

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    Jun 26 2012: why not start wrinting now? Age shouidn't be the problem in your way. if you not confident enough you can just write but not publish it. Don't give yourself too much pressure, just enjoy writing.
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    Rafi Amin 20+

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    Jun 26 2012: The way you ask your questions & describe them is amazing. This itself proves you are a good writer. The number of thumbs ups (31 so far) that has been given to your mentioned conversation is a also a prove that everybody approves you & has nothing do with the age.

    Good Luck.

  • Barry Palmer 50+

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    Jun 26 2012: I shouldn't, but I love to give advice, especially to young people.

    First, if you want advice about writing, ask authors.

    Second, I have read some advice from authors, and some of them say that if you want to become a writer, write.
    Write something every day, and not just a diary. Write a story or an essay or a poem. Write a letter of complaint to some corporation. Write a love letter to your dream girl. Whatever you write, write it well, and keep improving your writing. Seek criticism, but remember that the criticism refers to your product, not to you.

    Becoming a good writer is hard work. Good luck.
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    Fritzie Reisner 100+

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    Host
    Jun 26 2012: If you feel you have something to say now, go ahead and write. Writing takes practice anyway.
    If you feel better prepared to provide advice to kids your age than to older people, why not start there?
    You could start with a blog in which you offer weekly ideas.
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