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

  1. Goal: What does the character want in this scene?
  2. Conflict: What stands in their way?
  3. Disaster/Resolution: How does it end?
  4. 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