WRITING TIPS 📚
I sometimes get this message:
"I want to write but I don't know how to..."
My Reply: "Just start, it gets better as you go..."
I'm sharing a few writing tips in this thread.
Always remember, it's not a one size fits all and I'm not an expert 😁
I sometimes get this message:
"I want to write but I don't know how to..."
My Reply: "Just start, it gets better as you go..."
I'm sharing a few writing tips in this thread.
Always remember, it's not a one size fits all and I'm not an expert 😁
WRITE 📝
To be a writer, writing has to be a habit. Practice makes perfect after all. Create a writing ritual that works for you.
Write often.
I personally think it's best to type it out instead of writing on paper then typing it out later, but do whatever works for you.
To be a writer, writing has to be a habit. Practice makes perfect after all. Create a writing ritual that works for you.
Write often.
I personally think it's best to type it out instead of writing on paper then typing it out later, but do whatever works for you.
FIND OUT WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
Writing is like studying. Some people study with music, some in complete silence, some in a library, some with wine or coffee, some at night…
Do the same with writing. Find out which environment works best for you and go with it.
Writing is like studying. Some people study with music, some in complete silence, some in a library, some with wine or coffee, some at night…
Do the same with writing. Find out which environment works best for you and go with it.
SAVE AS YOU WRITE 💾
If you can, please use an App that saves your work online (Internet) as you type. Losing work hurts like a mother!
I use Docs on Google Drive. I can access the documents from any device.
Enable 'Offline Editing' for when you don't have a connection.
If you can, please use an App that saves your work online (Internet) as you type. Losing work hurts like a mother!
I use Docs on Google Drive. I can access the documents from any device.
Enable 'Offline Editing' for when you don't have a connection.
GRAMMAR
Use a tool like Grammarly that checks grammar and spellings as you type.
Spell Check on normal MS Word is terrible! 🚮
On Google Docs, the spell check works automatically as you type. Right click as you would on Word 👌
When done, run a Spell & Grammar check again.
Use a tool like Grammarly that checks grammar and spellings as you type.
Spell Check on normal MS Word is terrible! 🚮
On Google Docs, the spell check works automatically as you type. Right click as you would on Word 👌
When done, run a Spell & Grammar check again.
WRITE FIRST. EDIT LATER 📝
Try not to edit as you write otherwise you will take forever to finish. Plus it might discourage you and make you doubt yourself and you end up giving up.
So try this: "Write - Finish - Edit"
Try not to edit as you write otherwise you will take forever to finish. Plus it might discourage you and make you doubt yourself and you end up giving up.
So try this: "Write - Finish - Edit"
FORGET THE RULES
Rules are made to be broken!
Depending on what you're writing, you can bend the rules or completely break them.
You can add slang, vernac words, start sentences with conjunctions etc. Pick your style BUT consider the reader.
Or you can stick to the rules 😇.
Rules are made to be broken!
Depending on what you're writing, you can bend the rules or completely break them.
You can add slang, vernac words, start sentences with conjunctions etc. Pick your style BUT consider the reader.
Or you can stick to the rules 😇.
TONE DOWN ON BIG WORDS
Too many big words can spoil a good story. Having to look up the meaning of words in every page, breaks the reading flow.
So if you can help it, go easy on bombastic words.
'Big words' is relative so decide what's big and what's not.
Too many big words can spoil a good story. Having to look up the meaning of words in every page, breaks the reading flow.
So if you can help it, go easy on bombastic words.
'Big words' is relative so decide what's big and what's not.
TENSES
Choose a tense - Past, Present, Future?
Also, 1st person or 3rd?
Take a pick and try not to mix them too much and end up confusing the Reader or yourself.
You can use more than one in a story. Just don't mix them up and end up with sentences that don't sound right.
Choose a tense - Past, Present, Future?
Also, 1st person or 3rd?
Take a pick and try not to mix them too much and end up confusing the Reader or yourself.
You can use more than one in a story. Just don't mix them up and end up with sentences that don't sound right.
BLOG
Polish your writing skills by writing... Blog, Facebook pages, Wattpad, Visionary Writing, etc
Write on those platforms and read your readers' comments and inputs. Embrace criticism and use it to grow.
Mina I write on my Facebook Page.
Polish your writing skills by writing... Blog, Facebook pages, Wattpad, Visionary Writing, etc
Write on those platforms and read your readers' comments and inputs. Embrace criticism and use it to grow.
Mina I write on my Facebook Page.
...Blogging/Writing online for your readers will help you meet improve your craft and grow your readership.
PLUS it will give you a platform to market your book when you publish.
If your readers like your free stories, chances are they will buy your published books.
PLUS it will give you a platform to market your book when you publish.
If your readers like your free stories, chances are they will buy your published books.
OPINIONS ARE CHEAP
Ask more than one person to read your work as you write. You don't want to bury your dream because one person said it's not a good read.
Get different opinions and accept the criticism.
Take their comments as suggestions, to accept or reject.
Ask more than one person to read your work as you write. You don't want to bury your dream because one person said it's not a good read.
Get different opinions and accept the criticism.
Take their comments as suggestions, to accept or reject.
VALIDATION IS FOR PARKING 📟
Just because someone doesn't like your story, doesn't mean no one else will. So don't be discouraged when you get negative feedback... Unless everyone gives you negative feedback 😬
Make peace with the fact that not everyone will love your story.
Just because someone doesn't like your story, doesn't mean no one else will. So don't be discouraged when you get negative feedback... Unless everyone gives you negative feedback 😬
Make peace with the fact that not everyone will love your story.
ASK! RESEARCH! READ!
Self explanatory, right?
Good writers are good readers. Read extensively. See how other people write. Just be a reader!
If you plan to publish, read up on it, ask those who who have done it. Watch videos, read Twitter threads like this one. LOL 😜
Self explanatory, right?
Good writers are good readers. Read extensively. See how other people write. Just be a reader!
If you plan to publish, read up on it, ask those who who have done it. Watch videos, read Twitter threads like this one. LOL 😜
SPEAKING OF PUBLISHING...
Before you ask for advice from people about publishing, read up and get an overall idea of the process so that the person advising you doesn't have to explain from zero, you know what I mean?
Ask: How do I get an ISBN?
Not: What's an ISBN?
Get it? 😁
Before you ask for advice from people about publishing, read up and get an overall idea of the process so that the person advising you doesn't have to explain from zero, you know what I mean?
Ask: How do I get an ISBN?
Not: What's an ISBN?
Get it? 😁
SUPPORT OTHER WRITERS
Support others as you would like to be supported!
For example: Read their blogs/pages/books and comment, like, share etc.
You are a reader, so be a fan of other writers. It won't dim your shine at all. There is enough sky for all the stars to shine 👏
Support others as you would like to be supported!
For example: Read their blogs/pages/books and comment, like, share etc.
You are a reader, so be a fan of other writers. It won't dim your shine at all. There is enough sky for all the stars to shine 👏
LASTLY
Writing is not easy!
Be kind to yourself.
Don't compete.
Find your own voice and style.
When it feels like you are not getting anywhere, take a break. Or start another story and revisit the one you left when you feel better
Just don't give up if writing is your dream 🙏
Writing is not easy!
Be kind to yourself.
Don't compete.
Find your own voice and style.
When it feels like you are not getting anywhere, take a break. Or start another story and revisit the one you left when you feel better
Just don't give up if writing is your dream 🙏
