𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍'𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃 ☕︎

Writing Tips 1

Hey, it's Ashima here! (AutumnDahlia5)
Today I'll be talking about ways to improve your writing. I hope this helps you guys, and I hope you enjoy it!

Show, Don't Tell!

Show, don't tell is a writing technique in which the story and characters are related through sensory details and actions rather than exposition. It fosters a style of writing that's more immersive for the reader, allowing them to "be in the room" with the characters.

So, for an example take this:

Showing would be something like this: He looked down as he walked with her to avoid showing her the tears welling up in his eyes. He felt a deep ache from the bottom of his stomach and felt empty inside. Without his mother, he was nothing.

Telling would be like this: He felt sad from his loss as he walked with her.

Now, re-read both of these. Which one is more interesting to you? Which one allows you to visualize what the character is doing and feeling better? The first one, right? With the first one, it's almost like the reader is in a room with the character, and is observing the action from above. The reader can deduce the same information they'd get from the "telling" example but in a much more compelling way. Writing like this engages your readers in the story and will make them want to continue it.

Use a Thesaurus!

Another thing you can do to improve your writing is to use a thesaurus when writing! Doing this will help to not be too repetitive when writing. Using a certain word/words too many times can make the writing seem boring or dull. Using a thesaurus to find synonyms for certain words will eliminate this and will make your writing more interesting to your reader. With a thesaurus, you can avoid word repetition and monotonous overuse of a term in writing. In fact, I'm even using a thesaurus while writing this right now!

Stop Procrastinating!

Another one: stop procrastinating! This one is difficult, but you can do it! If you don't stop, you'll never get a start on your book and you'll never be able to continue or finish it. It's okay to take breaks from a book if you really need them, but make sure to continue working on them! Try to identify your reason for procrastinating, and reward yourself for working hard and writing a lot!

The Reason for the First Draft

This is another important one: the reason for the first draft is not to get it right but to get it written. You do not know how many times I've gone back to other paragraphs when writing my first draft! And it's especially annoying when I end up forgetting good ideas because I've been dwelling on previous paragraphs. When writing the first draft, focus on getting your ideas onto the page. If there are grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, there isn't enough description, etc., it's fine! You can always edit and revise later. Write first, then focus on making it better after you're done writing.

Additionally, if you end up dwelling on little details, the story might end up getting boring. "In many cases when a reader puts a story aside because it 'got boring,' the boredom arose because the writer grew enchanted with his powers of description and lost sight of his priority, which is to keep the ball rolling."― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Like said in this quote, focusing on little details in the first draft will make the story dull and boring to you. Your priority in the first draft is to continue writing and is to get all your ideas on the page before you forget them. AFTER DOING THIS, you can spend time on each scene, adding details and editing. Just make sure to finish writing down your story first! So once again, write first, THEN edit!! Aim to get it finished, then revise and make it better!

Edit Ruthlessly

Last but not least, when you do edit, edit ruthlessly. Seriously, do it! Feel free to remove unnecessary words and phrases. Re-read the chapter/story/book multiple times, and change and remove phrases every time you do. Feel free to take as much time as you need to make it perfect! It's your book, you can do whatever you want with it. Don't be afraid to remove a lot of things! Change things so that it's more intriguing, make it concise and easy to understand, and make the point you try to convey clear through the text. (This is especially important if you're trying to write a story with a moral!) Annihilate words, sentences, even entire paragraphs! Check to see if your protagonists are likable, and the antagonists are evil! You can even make a checklist with some of these questions (And many others as well!):

Is the whole story intriguing?

Have you conveyed the essence of your characters?

Do you need more backstory? Less backstory?

Do the characters have quirks and flaws like real people?

Can your reader picture your characters and the setting? Can they smell the smells? Hear the sounds? Feel the tension?

Does it read like an essay or like a friend telling a story?

Is the plot clear?

Will your reader get lost or confused?

Is there suspense? Tension?

Are your characters true to their personalities and beliefs — in dialogue, in thought, and in action?

Are you overwriting? Repetitive?

These are not the only questions you can ask yourself, there are many more! Either way, check the whole story and make it exactly how you'd like it. Make sure it's interesting! Make sure you have correct grammar, spelling, and it flows well. And please, please make sure that you actually like it! If you're not satisfied with your work, then don't publish it! Take as much time as you need to make it exactly to your liking, and change it to shape and form the plot and it in general! Make sure that you are content with the story and its climax and its characters and everything!

Final Thoughts

Know that these aren't the only things that make your writing better! There are many other tips and tricks to know. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this, and I hope this helps all you authors out there! Have a great rest of your day/night, and stay safe!

-Ashima ❤