#writing mini-tip

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini Tip: Toot Your Own Horn, Because No One Else Will

Someone once told me this in reference to writing a great resume/CV or cover letter. But I think it can be applied to creative writing as well, especially when it comes to advertising your book to others.

You need to make your story seem like the greatest story ever told. Don’t be afraid to brag about certain aspects that you’re proud of. Remeber to tell people about your achievements as a writer as well.

If you don’t make yourself/your story seem attractive, no one else will.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Alternate Inspiration

Books are a great way to become inspired or to come up with new characters, plot twists, etc. But so are movies, TV shows, video games, and real life. Don’t be afraid to expand your well of inspiration.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Breathe

Just a reminder that when you write it’s important to remember to take care of yourself. Don’t forget to breathe, eat, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Flip a Coin

Can’t decide which direction to take your story?

If you can narrow it down to two choices, flip a coin. The coin won’t make the decision for you, but you’ll realize when it lands which choice you really want.

Disappointed that it landed on heads? Then you know you really want to go with your other option.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Find a Partner

Studies show that working out with a partner can make exercise more fun and keep you motivated to keep going. So why shouldn’t the same be true for writing?

Find a fellow writer and work together. Share your ideas back and forth and review each other’s drafts. If you want, create little challenges for each other such as seeing who can get to 20k words first.

Your story will need beta-readers eventually, why not get a fellow writer from the get-go?

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Write Now, Research Later

You know when you’re writing and all of sudden you need to know the lifespan of a parrot? Save it for later. Don’t let yourself get distracted and stop writing. Avoid procrastination at all costs.

Instead, make a note in your writing that says “RESEARCH LATER”. When you go back to do edits, you can research and write it in.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Bullet Journals

Create and maintain a bullet journal for all your writing-related ideas. Keep this journal with you so you can write down ideas as they come to you and look at it when you need some inspiration.

Ideas for pages to include in your writing bu-jo:

Goals/Resolutions

Word Count Tracker

Social Media Post Tracker

Writing Blog Post Ideas

Story Update/Posting Tracker (For Wattpad, AO3, etc.)

Story/Plot Ideas

Writing Music (with details about what scenes would go best with the songs)

Character Ideas (both appearances and personalities)

Title/Name Ideas

Word/Phrase Lists

Writing Advice

Obviously, you can use any type of journal for this, but a bullet journal is nice for creative formatting. There’re no lines that get in your way, but the dots can help you draw straight lines if you need them or help you frame your doodles, headers, or borders.

[author-in-training-writes]

Writing Mini-Tip: Word Rhythm

Reviewing your draft and find something off with your writing, but you can’t quite figure out what it is? It could be that your rhythm is off. Find the “music” within your words. Change the lengths of sentences, or swap out words with varying syllables to find the right flow for your writing.

This also helps with pacing issues. Have a fast-paced/intense emotion scene? Short words, but long sentences create an urgent feel. Use conjunctions to pull the sentence out even more.

Example:

“Stop everything for the moment he crosses the room and pulls me into his arms and pins me against the wall and I’m spinning and standing and not even breathing but I’m alive so alive so very very alive and he’s kissing me." Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi