I want write a good story, but...?

I'm going to tell you right now, there are A LOT of published authors who write poorly. The good news? All your readers really care about is the story. You don't need to be an absolutely phenomenal writer to write a book that sells. You just need a good idea and the will to put it down on paper.

If this really bothers you, however, then you can always use a thesaurus to replace less desirable words. You may also want to read other books and take note of syntax. Take notes and see how other authors construct complex sentences.

Another thing: Make sure not to go too far with the synonyms. Throwing in SAT words and long synonyms that no one can pronounce is difficult for a reader. In reality, using simple, common words makes for an easier, and perhaps even more enjoyable read. Rich words are very effective too. Was he bleeding, or was he "gushing" blood? Was she running or was she "sprinting"? Did he hold her hand tightly or did he "grasp" it?

The answer that I've just written now is a pretty good example of what I'm trying to illustrate. The word choice is substantial without being over bearing, and the syntax is varied, yet simple. Of course, everyone's writing style is different. Find what works for you.

Important to keep in mind: Don't try too hard. Let the writing flow naturally. You can even use slang. Incomplete sentences. What about a rhetorical question? Go for it. Make it natural. Maybe throw in some crazy onomatopoeia. Boom! Your mind is blown.

A good rule to follow: "Less is more, simple is better."

And with that, I leave you with this: If you want to write better, write. That's all there is to it.

Good luck with your writing and have fun with it! :D

In the first place, you don't need a lot of words to write a good story. "The Cat in the Hat" uses 237 words, and it's literature. It's not the number of words, but what you do with them.

In the second place, if you don't know many words, reading is the best way to get new ones. Many times you can figure out what a word means by the way it's used. If you struggle with this, you can guess, then look it up in a dictionary.

And in the third place, your spelling, punctuation and so on are Sooo much better than so many people who think they're writing the next big thing. (Oh, yes. While you're typing in Word, if you type something and then right-click on the word, it gives you a list of synonyms. That can help too.)

Good luck!

Hey, no worries. This can be a good thing! Your vocabulary defines your voice. If you try to learn knew words and broaden your vocabulary (which is never really a bad thing), your writing style will not flow as it may right now. Though you may not know very many words, this contributes to your unique voice and comprehensive style. This is a good thing!

Guess what, I was in the same situation as you. I loved to write, however, I also used a thesaurus and popped in clever words so I sounded like a professsional writer to others (the readers). But, I have learned to write from me-- meaning, using the words I know. Guess what? This is the key. Now, my teacher and others look up to my written works and think I am a great writer. Lesson: Use your vocabulary to your advantage. For me personally, I always like to read stories I actually know all the words. I think you will find people will grow close to your story.

Best of luck!

Tip: Don't worry about words...just let it flow. P.S. I am not saying to disregard word choice. Always try to use creative, interesting words. But, do not force words you do not know.

Happy Writing!

I see that somebody already covered how to expand your vocabulary, and I agree with him/her 100%. So instead of repeating all of that very informative answer, I'll tell you that writers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. So what if you don't have a large vocabulary? Work on it, yes. But don't be discouraged from writing because of it.

Every writer has a different style. I'm in college for writing, and I can tell you that I sometimes look at my own stuff and think it's kind of simple. Sometimes the meaning is strongest when the form is simple. Not saying that I don't like reading big words, but sometimes it's refreshing to read something that is straightforwardly written.

Or just as a side-note, consider writing young adult fiction or children's stories. Those (especially children's) types of writing require that big words aren't used. As a matter of fact, my friend got docked marks for using words that were too complex for a children's story.

My overall point: go for it. Don't hold back because of some preconception of what writing is supposed to be. Make your own style.

When you come across words you don't know simply look them up in a dictionary (either online or a hard copy).

Can always use sites that have a word of the day (the idea is to learn a new word each day).

A thesaurus is also a useful source, as you can type in "simple" words and find other similar words (good for imagery and poetry I find too).

You could start off by writing a story for an audience based on your English skills, as you get better and more confident you can alter your target audience.

Good luck.

Your best friend when writing books should be a thesaurus.

Using the same few words will make your sentences boring and repetitive so using elaborate synonyms help you make you story more lively and helps you learn a few interesting words on the way.

When writing a story and trying to lengthen it, remember to include details, such as smells, sights, sounds, taste and touch. It really fattens a written piece nicely.

Good luck! :)

Try reading a dictionary

read books! read and read and you will get a better vocab