Writing Tips

Updated: Dec 3, 2023

Being a writer, I'm always looking for ways to improve. Reading tips from other authors is one way. With this in mind, here are some tips to help you improve. If I left anything out, please feel free to add in the comments below....

Don't compare your writing with other writers. It's like comparing a two-year-old with a twenty-year-old. The things a twenty-year-old can do, the toddler isn't ready for. We didn't come into this world knowing how to tie our shoes. This concept is the same for writing. We're all at different levels in our writing careers.
Write at your own pace. Every word you put to paper (computer, typewriter, phone, etc) is one word closer to the end. Some writers can finish the first draft in a month, others may take years. There is no wrong timing so work at your own pace.
The first draft is just you telling the story to yourself. This copy no one will see, so just let your mind wander. Get the story out before worrying about editing. Then you can take things out or fill things in--but get the story out first.
Normally, there is the wrong way and the right way to do things, but that's the beauty of writing--there is no wrong way. You can write the ending and work your way to the beginning if you want to. Or you can start in the middle and fill things in as you want. As long as you end with a finished book, how you get there is up to you!
Plan or write at the seat of your pants. You can do either or you can do both. Try both to see which works best for you. Neither is wrong.
Always work on improving your skill. Reading is a great way to do that. Read outside of the genres you normally write to pick up on new things. Read the genres you write to hone in the skills you already have. Keep learning. That way, with each book you write, you will be better than the last book, and you can pick up new fans.
It is okay to ask questions.
It isn't okay to tell someone the best way to do things is how you do it. We're all different. What works for you may not work for them, and vica versa. I'm not going to tell you, you have to write on your laptop at three in the morning if you want a best seller. Because you may write better in the afternoon using your cell phone. THERE'S NO WRONG WAY.
Stay true to who you are as a writer, but work on growing.
Don't rely on spell check. Even if the word is spelled correctly, there could be words that were used incorrectly--won, one...to, two, too...son, sun.... is, in, it...etc.
Be consistent. Did you say Brad, when you meant Todd? If you spelled one thing out and used the number, that's not being consistent. Small numbers can be spelled out while using the number for larger ones. Three.....405. 205, 781, etc.
Pay attention to the commas and other punctuation marks.
You don't have to say, "she said, he said" all the time. Use action to show who said what. When you have two people in the room, you know one of them said this and that so use action instead of saying he said "watch out for the ball"
Less is more. If you understand the sentence without using a word, delete it.
Use the senses. What does it smell like, feel (touch) like? What do the characters hear? The reader can learn what's going on in the scene by using the senses. Don't overdo it.
Show, don't tell. Ties in with using the senses. How did he walk? Instead of using "walk", you can use another word like "sauntered" or "slumped" She inched toward him instead of she walked slowly toward him.