Writing Tips

Writing Tips

Getting Started

I have heard of many people joining creative writing classes. They can be very constructive in advice and often help improve your hidden talent which you are trying to nurture.

Saying that! It is not something I have ever been interested in, for me I paid little attention at school, something I perhaps regretted later in life. Until now; becoming a writer and author has taught me much over the past few years. When I think of a new novel, I open up word document and let my imagination go, tapping at the keyboard as the brain juices flow. Some people are just pernickety when it comes to grammar and punctuality. Unless you are a competent author with many books under your belt, just Jot down what comes into your head. Losing an idea through concentration of perfect grammar can be off-putting; remember this is a draft, the novel comes later. You will have plenty of time to correct any spelling and grammatical errors later on. If you think of an idea jot it down on a notepad, or your phone, most phones nowadays have a voice recorder app.

Many times in the past I thought I had the next chapter idea, especially at bed time; thinking I would remember it in the morning for sure:  I think you’ve guessed what happen there?

Title

Think about your ‘Title’ you may think you have hit on a title that describes your book and will grab your audience; now type it into ‘GOOGLE’ or ‘AMAZON’. Is it still unique or has someone else used it?

If another author has used the same title and you are still adamant you still want to use it, make sure it has not been trademarked.

Words to avoid using: 

Good structure to a novel is to keep your reader informed; using some words is not just lazy writing, but non-descriptive to the reader.

Got

Got is a verb with little clarity and meaning.

Lazy is “I got home” you could have used “I arrived home” the mere fact you are say you “arrived home” allows you to give the reader a description. “I got into a fight” instead “ A fight broke out in which I became involved” this allows you to describe how the fight began. “ I got it” instead “ I obtained it”. Try to think of other instances you could use  which will replace “Got”

Just

Just is one of those words which has little clout or meaning in a sentence. “Just as it was about to rain” instead “The sky showed signs of rain” “Just then they walked through the door” instead “The door opened and in walked (their names)”. Many people use just as though it holds meaning or suspense; it doesn’t.

I will be adding more words to avoid in due course, you may suggest one you find which have little or no relevance, please feel free to join in.