Tag: writing tips

Today’s writing tip (let it go) is one that I have only recently understood. By trying different types of prompts and working on beloved ideas, I’ve realized that my best writing comes when I’m able to get out of the way. It sounds counterintuitive, but the work I don’t...

The biggest secret to worldbuilding is knowing that it’s more than a backdrop. Yes, scenery and fantastical weapons and costumes are part of it, but if that’s all you include, your story will fall flat. That’s because worldbuilding is more than mountains and trees and cityscapes or fun pops...

One of the most common pieces of writing advice I hear is to join a writing group. And while I wholeheartedly agree with this, it’s a lot easier said than done. First, let’s start with the benefits. Writing groups are a community Writing is a solitary practice. However, by...

Writing tips often focus on the technical aspects of becoming a better writer. And sometimes the abstract. But what is often overlooked is the practical precursor—curiosity. Writing is more than getting words down in the correct order to tell a compelling story. Most of us don’t open a blank...

Writing advice is never absolute. It often changes with circumstances and sometimes, like now, it’s a straight up contradiction. Of course you’re going to hide information. If the reader already knows what will happen, there’s no incentive to keep reading. Even when the reader expects the ending, like with...

What does this image have to do with writing? It’s a good visualization of a basic story structure. Let’s break it down. The colored balls are stationary representing the status quo. This is what the day to day life is for your main character at the beginning of the...

We’ve talked about When to Give Feedback, How to Give Feedback, now let’s talk about how to receive it. Out of all three, this is the hardest, but a necessity on the path to improvement. We learn so much from feedback. But it’s not always natural at first. I’ve...

I had an epiphany while writing the blog post about imposter syndrome. The last section about believing compliments made me think about the first time imposter syndrome showed up in my life. I can’t believe this connection just popped into my head. It was a compliment that made me...

Notice in the title I used the word ‘ease’ instead of ‘overcome.’ That’s because I don’t have a crystal ball, and I haven’t overcome imposter syndrome. There are many days where I feel like I’m a big fake. As much as I’d like to get rid of it, I...

One of the first assignments I’d give as a writing teacher would be to have my students write a journal entry on why they want to be a writer. I encourage you to do this now. Remember back to when you first wanted to be a writer before you...