Writers' Hotline

The Basics, from our Queen ~@sajmra

Do we need to introduce this girl? The one and only queen, sajmra. Her books Captured Hearts and Unlocked Hearts have reached millions of reads and won Wattys as well.

❣

1. Write what you know.

What does this mean? It doesn't mean you can't write a story about fairies or vampires because obviously they aren't real.

What it does mean is make the storyline something you know and can relate to. If you are in high school, have your characters be in high school.

If you are studying medicine, incorporate it into your story. If you are interested in painting, let one of your characters like to paint.

Use your own experiences to form your story.

2. Use your imagination.

Yes, this totally contradicts what I just said above 😁 and that's okay. There are so many ways to use your imagination in regards to your story. Use your imagination with your character's names, with their descriptions, what they might say or do. Where they live, if they have any powers or special attributes.

If you want your character to be the world's best basketball player, do it! You've never been the world's best basketball player, but research basketball itself, and you are using what you know as well as your imagination. 😊

3. Research.

Make sure that things make sense. If you are going to — let's use this example again — have one of your characters be the world's best basketball player, research the NBA so it's credible. Research how much they may make, how much they are on the road, and other things they do so your story has facts.

4. Plot twists.

Plot twists are very important to keep your readers captivated. But be careful that the twists not only fit in with the plot, but that they are believable. If there is a bad guy chasing the hero for the entire story, and then suddenly he reveals that he wants to be good and become a kindergarten teacher . . . it's a plot twist, but it's not believable. 🙂

5. Stay true to your characters.

Eventually your characters become real to you. You start to think about what they would or wouldn't like, what they would or wouldn't do or say. It's almost as if you know them and their personalities, and stick with them!

6. Know the difference between constructive criticism and malicious comments.

When you put up your writing on Wattpad — or anywhere else for that matter — you are potentially subjecting yourself to receive criticism. 

And that's okay.

I have had many great tips from a reader who left a comment about something. However, when someone leaves a comment being rude, that is not beneficial, and try to delete it without letting it get to you. These kinds of comments will get to you, especially the first time you receive one, but just know the difference between someone who has something constructive to say, and someone who has too much time on their hands and hate in their heart.

7. Know the ending of your story.

So, this one is actually my own personal secret, and it might not work for everyone, but don't write in order.

I almost never write a story in order. Meaning, if I can see the ending of a story, if I can have a really good heart touching ending, then I write a story. If I can't write the ending, then I can't write the story. So, I'll have the ending, start the beginning, and fill in the middle. 😊

8. Write what you enjoy!

If you aren't enjoying a story, don't write it! You should look forward to your story, be filled with ideas to the brim, and imagine what is to come!

9. Write everything!

If you have an idea for a chapter, but it doesn't really fit in with what you are writing right then, write it anyways, and maybe you can fit it in to the story somewhere else. For every story I write, I have another document just titled 'scraps' where I keep random scenes that I thought of and usually I can add them into the story later on (this is my biggest tip/writing secret 😁).

10. Write when inspired.

Try to write as much as possible when you are struck with inspiration. One time I was so motivated that I wrote sixty pages in one sitting! And another time I had writer's block and couldn't even write a paragraph!

11. Most importantly? Just write.

All the time. Carry around a notebook with you and jot down ideas and thoughts and things that you may have. Those things might help you with your stories. But no matter what, even if you don't write a whole chapter, even if it's not even part of your story, write. 😊