Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #writetip
Most recents (6)
Once as a baby writer I told a CP about where I was going with a story and they said
"No, you can't write that, it's way too dark."
I felt shame. Dumb, maybe, but it's true.
"No, you can't write that, it's way too dark."
I felt shame. Dumb, maybe, but it's true.
I decided to write it anyway, but consciously or otherwise I spent years trying to write to please CP's, imaginary audiences, imaginary agents
My writing got way better when I started getting deliberate about quitting that.
My writing got way better when I started getting deliberate about quitting that.
Write to please yourself.
Find people who love your premise, your tone, your writing style, your darkness and humor.
They're the people who will help you improve, because the goal should be to more perfectly refine what you've already got going on
Find people who love your premise, your tone, your writing style, your darkness and humor.
They're the people who will help you improve, because the goal should be to more perfectly refine what you've already got going on
Alrighty, folks. I'm still sick in bed, so it's time for another #RevPit #RevThread and today we'll tackle "Show, Don't Tell" (quit ur eye-rolling!)
For the purpose of today's thread, I'll be referring to it as SDT for short. Buckle up!
#writingcommunity #writetip #writingtips
For the purpose of today's thread, I'll be referring to it as SDT for short. Buckle up!
#writingcommunity #writetip #writingtips
Let's address a common misconception that gets people ALL kinds of riled up:
SDT is NOT about mundane description. I REPEAT: SDT is NOT about mundane description.
When you start describing the scene, and every little thing your character is doing...that's all "telling." #RevPit
SDT is NOT about mundane description. I REPEAT: SDT is NOT about mundane description.
When you start describing the scene, and every little thing your character is doing...that's all "telling." #RevPit
Your faces right now:
So @Bibliogato asked a great question about setting yearly goals. I do that along with an end of year review of my work. I share all this & discuss with my agent.
So in case it's helpful to you, a quick thread on the major topics I include in my review/look ahead. 1/
#writetip
So in case it's helpful to you, a quick thread on the major topics I include in my review/look ahead. 1/
#writetip
I modeled my end of year review on my reviews when I worked in non-profit & as a classroom teacher. And they loosely follow SMART criteria: specific, measurable, assignable (all me!), realistic, time related. 2/
I do it like an outline (roman numerals, etc). And yes, I title it: Samira Ahmed 2020 End of Year Review/2021 Look Ahead.
I. Accomplishments: Books, sales, presentations, media summary
Look, it's good to pat yourself on the back & remind yourself that you're awesome! 3/
I. Accomplishments: Books, sales, presentations, media summary
Look, it's good to pat yourself on the back & remind yourself that you're awesome! 3/
Strap in #writers - it's time to talk about developmental editing and my thought process when I'm reading over manuscripts.
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
Let's start with what is a developmental editor? This type of editor - which differs highly from a line editor or proof reader - looks at big picture elements of your story.
Think structure and content.
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
Think structure and content.
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
When I'm hired for a developmental edit, I'm keeping an eye on four major elements of a story:
1. Plot
2. Character
3. Worldbuilding
4. Pacing
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
1. Plot
2. Character
3. Worldbuilding
4. Pacing
#writingcommunity #pubtip #writetip #ontheporch
THREAD: How can I create a better pitch while not also killing myself mentally, aka Pitching is tough, please help.
#ontheporch #writerscommunity #writerslife #amquerying #amwriting #writetip #iamaneditor #thisishowitworks
#ontheporch #writerscommunity #writerslife #amquerying #amwriting #writetip #iamaneditor #thisishowitworks
I think the first thing we have to cover today is that not everything you want to say about your story is going to fit or belongs in your pitch. Many things you think are critical to "understand" the story don't have to come into the pitch.
And this reveals the point of the pitch - not to understand the story (that's what reading the manuscript is for), but to become interesting in it, so that the pitch-audience says "I want more information, I will go check out this manuscript."
Craft Tip (YMMV): When I'm struggling w/ a scene, especially one that has to do a lot of emotional heavy lifting, I ask myself what the goal/purpose of the scene is ("to get the character to realize X"), and then I open a *new document* and write the scene from scratch. #writetip
The new document part is crucial, because it gives me permission to play around, to experiment. It's not a part of the "official manuscript," you see, so it's okay if it's garbage!
In other words, writing is 10% skill, 90% tricking yourself into doing the thing.
