As a writer, you’ll hear feedback about your work in many different contexts. Notes from your editor; comments from beta readers or writing group buddies; reviews from readers… There are so many avenues for responses to your writing – and not all of those responses are going to be positive.
tips
All posts tagged tips
Editor Rejects Her Own Story
Published May 22, 2018 by Jennifer Loring
(Click on the graphic!)
Writers@Work: How to Use Poetry to Spice Up Your Writing
Published May 16, 2018 by Jennifer Loring
Use poetry to spice up your writing. If your writing feels dry and boring, poetic elements such as metaphors, images, and juicy language can make it sing!
Read more at Writers@Work: How to Use Poetry to Spice Up Your Writing
5 Must-Try Writing Techniques For Fiction Authors – Writer’s Edit
Published March 15, 2018 by Jennifer LoringWe’ve put together an easy-to-follow round-up of different writing techniques you might like to try out in the search for that perfect routine. Click here to learn more!
Source: 5 Must-Try Writing Techniques For Fiction Authors – Writer’s Edit
How To Find And Fix Plot Holes In Your Novel – Writer’s Edit
Published January 25, 2018 by Jennifer LoringPlot holes. We all know what they are: inconsistencies or gaps that defy logic in stories. And we all know they’re entirely undesirable when it comes to writing a good novel. Plot holes diminish the plausibility of a story and can have a huge effect on the way that story is viewed by readers. Your novel may be wonderfully written with great characters and an engaging plot – but leave one plot hole in there and, sadly, all your hard work may be undone. So how can you tell if your story has plot holes? And if it does, how can you go about filling them in? Let’s dive into a step-by-step process for finding and fixing plot holes in your novel.
How to find plot holes
The first thing you need to do is to determine whether your…
Source: How To Find And Fix Plot Holes In Your Novel – Writer’s Edit
5 Quick Tips for Writing Thrilling Fight Scenes – Writer’s Edit
Published December 1, 2017 by Jennifer LoringFight scenes are common across a range of genres, from action, spy and thriller novels to fantasy and sci-fi. They’re often a physical manifestation of the conflict that’s driving your story – and they’re great for keeping things exciting for readers. Whatever genre you write, knowing how to write an authentic, exciting fight scene is an invaluable skill to have. But why are action and fight scenes so difficult to craft authentically? One of the primary reasons is that the average author doesn’t usually have a whole lot of experience with fighting in real life. And even if they do, it’s not an easy thing to translate to the page! The scene has to strike the right balance between the actual action and the other important elements, like emotion and personal stakes. With that said, let’s dive into some…
Source: 5 Quick Tips for Writing Thrilling Fight Scenes – Writer’s Edit
5 Reasons Novelists Should Write Short Stories – Writer’s Edit
Published November 8, 2017 by Jennifer LoringThe ability to write a short story, and write it well, is invaluable to any author. Novelists in particular can benefit from regularly immersing themselves in short fiction. Writing short stories…
- Develops creative and critical skills.
- Builds portfolios.
- Provides the opportunity to expand experiences with submissions, editors and professional expectations.
- Furthers your understanding of genres and potential readerships.
- Helps construct a strong authorial presence and gets your name ‘out there’ as a published author.
So if you’re wading your way through the umpteenth draft of your novel, or even if you haven’t quite started yet, read on for five reasons you should stop what you’re doing (just for a bit) and start writing short stories.
1. Short stories develop your skills
As a novelist, you’re used to long-form fiction where you have the time, the space and the word count to…
Source: 5 Reasons Novelists Should Write Short Stories – Writer’s Edit
6 Quick Tips For Writing Gripping Scenes – Writer’s Edit
Published October 19, 2017 by Jennifer LoringScenes drive your story forward; without them, there would be no novel. Your scenes need to keep your reader on the edge of their seat with your plot and characters because otherwise, they won’t keep reading. Looking at your novel on a scene-by-scene basis is a critical step in the writing and editing process. Here’s a list of six things you can do to make every scene super engaging for your readers.
1. Structure your scenes to maintain good pacing
You’re probably aware of the importance of structuring your novel, but having good scene structure is equally important. By structuring your scenes carefully, you will ensure your novel maintains a good pace and isn’t full of dull patches.
Creating scenes and sequels
In his book Techniques of the Selling Writer, author Dwight V. Swain highlights the importance of creating scenes and sequels. He suggests that a scene should always be…
Source: 6 Quick Tips For Writing Gripping Scenes – Writer’s Edit
How To Master Setting In Your Novel – Writer’s Edit
Published October 6, 2017 by Jennifer LoringIn our visual world of cinema and photography, setting often takes a back seat in novels. But even when constructed through words, visuals are a powerful story element. Whether creating a fantasy world from scratch or using the current world as your backdrop, it is important to work your setting into your story effectively. The first question is, obviously, where. But to truly master this story element, you need to consider the why, what, when and how as well. So, why is setting such a big deal? The experience of immersing oneself in a new place is becoming the domain of cinema, and it is still a powerful tool for today’s writer. Fiction is all about transporting a reader to another place – making them forget the paper in front of…
7 Useful Tips For Establishing A Writing Routine – Writer’s Edit
Published September 15, 2017 by Jennifer LoringThere are certain things all writers need: inspiration, creativity, dedication, some measure of talent. But there’s one thing that’s perhaps more important than all these elements combined – one thing that’s guaranteed to help you become a productive, prolific writer. And that thing is a writing routine. Every writer who wants to achieve their goals must have a writing routine. Without a routine, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of procrastination, or to disappoint yourself when your writing output isn’t where you want it to be. Without a routine, it’s hard to make writing a regular habit – and making it a habit is something you must do if you ever want to finish that novel! Like most things in life, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution here. Every writer works differently and has different strengths…
Source: 7 Useful Tips For Establishing A Writing Routine – Writer’s Edit
