Creative Writing Tips

    • Revision: Write First, Proofread Later

    • When you read over a piece, don't get caught up on fixing grammatical mistakes or poor sentence structure in your first few drafts. Before these details even become relevant, it is important to craft the story you are trying to tell. Most of those poor sentences will likely be cut out before you even reach a final draft, so there's no point wasting time killing them now.
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    • Actions Speak Louder Than Words

    • Also known as show don't tell, the idea here is that you need to convey your message to a reader in more than just the words. Don't just say "Jon was mean" but instead, allow the reader to conclude that based upon Jon's actions in the story.
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    • Let Your Readers Be Cheerleaders

    • To ensure your audience enjoys your book, it's good to provide them with a character they can root for. If your reader feels no sympathy for any of the characters in the book, or never develops an attachment to their cause, then the reader will lose interest.
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    • The Vomit Draft

    • Too often, people get caught up in making the first draft perfect. Forget about it. Instead, say everything and anything in that first draft, just vomit all over the page. That way you can see what you like and dislike and go from there.
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    • Elmore Leonard - Never Start With Weather

    • It's the classic awkward conversation piece. Talk about the weather because you have nothing else to say. It's also an easy thing to describe. However, when opening a story, nothing ostracizes a reader more than starting with the weather. Talk about something relevant to the story, or something that will lure them into it. Don't tease them with useless information.
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