Creative Writing Tips

    • Poetry - Cut the Articles

    • In poetry, the articles (the, a) often just slow the piece down and distract from the real visuals. Try removing the articles from your poetry whenever possible.
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    • Writing Ideas - Write Whenever, Wherever

    • The best way to think of things to write about is to constantly write. If you push off an idea you have, it may be hard to get it back later, and it will stall your generation of newer ideas. As such, whenever you thnk of something, at least make a note about it. Then, when you get more time, write it out further to help expand your ideas.
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    • Quality != Quantity

    • A story doesn't have to be long to be good. It can be any length. Supposedly, Hemingway was challenged to tell his life story in six words and came up with: "For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn." Likewise, you can work magic with a page, five pages, ten pages, or a hundred. Don't get caught up in length!
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    • Revising - Writing Groups

    • One of the best ways to keep you writing and finishing work is when you have a deadline. If you don't ACTUALLY have a deadline, having a regularly meeting writing group is a great way to impose a deadline on your work. It also allows people to provide input and give you further insight on your writing. As such, by joining a writing group, you're able to get people to edit your work, come up with new ideas, and keep yourself on task.
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    • Characterization - Build a Backstory

    • As you write a story, take time to build out a sketch of each of your characters. Think about what they like, what has happened in their lives, where they come from. Even if all of these details don't make it into the actual story, they might help influence how your characters act and give you a better understanding of who they are.
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