Essential Writing Tips
Practical advice for crafting compelling stories
Show, Don't Tell
Instead of Telling:
"Sarah was angry."
Try Showing:
"Sarah's hands trembled as she crumpled the letter, her jaw clenched tight."
Pro Tip
Use sensory details and physical reactions to bring emotions to life.
Use Active Voice
Passive Voice:
"The book was read by John."
Active Voice:
"John read the book."
Crafting Strong Dialogue
Dialogue Tips
- Give each character a distinct voice
- Use dialogue to reveal character
- Avoid overusing dialogue tags
- Include body language
- Keep it natural but purposeful
Character Development
Character Building Questions
- What does your character want most?
- What are they afraid of?
- What's their biggest regret?
- How do they handle conflict?
- What's their typical morning routine?
Scene Structure
Essential Scene Elements
- Goal: What does the character want in this scene?
- Conflict: What stands in their way?
- Disaster/Resolution: How does it end?
- Sequel: How does this affect what comes next?
Self-Editing Tips
Editing Checklist
- Let your draft rest before editing
- Read your work aloud
- Check for consistency in voice and tense
- Eliminate unnecessary words
- Vary sentence structure and length
- Look for repeated words or phrases
Quick Reference Guide
- Start scenes late, end them early
- Every scene should move the story forward
- Use specific, concrete details
- Cut unnecessary adjectives and adverbs
- Make every word count