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Creative Writing Tips for Writers

"These creative writing tips will make you a better writer!"

Writing fiction or creative writing...what is it exactly?

Well, the definition of creative writing is the exercise of creating imaginative drama, fiction, or poetry.

The big question that I hear is, how can I learn to be a better writer?

My answer is simple...keep writing!

I know, I know, it's not that easy. Writing comes very easily to some, and not so much for others. It can be very frustrating for those who must work so hard but never feel they have written well. My thoughts, if you feel it in your heart, you can do it!

Yes, writing is a process and although there are skills and techniques that can be learned in order to develop talent, writing creatively is a gift and like any gift, not everyone has it.

Sure, anyone can write, put words to paper, just like anyone can sing, but not everyone has a voice like Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston.

So here are some creative writing tips that can get your energy flowing and put your enthusiasm for your project into overdrive. Here are my best creative writing tips!

  • First, to be a good writer you must read a lot and spend time observing, listening, and soaking in your surroundings. Write about what you see, hear, smell.

  • Writers have good imaginations and love stories. Telling a story is what the creative writer does, so you must become a storyteller.

  • Writers do their best work when their creative writing ideas come from their own interests. Write what you know.

  • Choose creative writing topics you understand deeply and have a passion for.

  • When stretching your writing muscle, use creative writing prompts. It's not easy to write about what someone else wants you to write.

  • Readers of fiction want very much to find the writer's work to be believable. Know your characters intimately and a conceivable plot.

  • Characters drive the plot. (One of my best creative writing tips.)

  • Include the major components of a story -

    1)Plot is the organization of events that will take place in the story.
    2)Characters are the people or animals who will be in the story.
    3)Setting is the physical time and place in which the story takes place.
    4)Dialogue is the spoken words of the characters in the story.
    5)Point of view is the relative identification of the narrator with the characters.
    6)Theme is the main idea or meaning behind a story.
    7)Style is the writer's use of the language.

  • Find your own voice. (One of the creative writing tips ignored by beginners.)

  • Editing is vital so just do it!

  • Details in the story make the story more interesting.

  • Take detailed notes of your characters, plot and setting so your story moves forward.

  • Tie up all loose ends by the time your story ends.

  • Write what you like to read.

  • Don't tell what happened, recreate what happened as it's happening.

  • Have a compelling first sentence and an exciting first chapter so your reader gets sucked in right away.

  • Let someone you trust read your work.

  • Be kind to other writers and learn what you can from them.

  • Understand that it's tough to make a living writing fiction and be prepared to find additional freelance writing opportunities.

  • It can be tough to get published traditionally, but if you believe in your work, and want to consider publishing it yourself, take a look at Writing ebooks for fun & Profit. It's a step by step guide on how to write and publish your own e-book. I like it because it puts you in the drivers seat and run the whole show. And e-books have become very popular!

    I also really like Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self Publishing Manual) and The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living By Peter Bowerman. These are my top two books on self-publishing. I use them both and highly recommend them.

    But you can also find many great self publishing books here.

    Whatever rules or creative writing tips you read about writing, you will always be able to find some published work that violates them.

    I believe writers are life long learners. Read books, write what you enjoy and the most important of all the freelance writing tips you've read here...enjoy the process of writing. That is what it is all about!





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