Letters at age four. First short story at age six. First published letter to the Editor at 7. Did book readings and presentations at age 11 and 12. Edited HS paper for two years. Lots of awards for short stories in HS. I stopped in college - mainly because I did not think my ideas were good enough - my writing did not measure up to the best in my class so I had to stop and think about my direction.
Journals are the way to go. A good work, a really good work, will consist of many, many ideas jotted down over weeks and weeks of thinking.
Writers and book club groups ( ie at your local book store) are A LOT of fun, too.
Plays and operas are good. HS plays are especialy good.
