Tips to Improve Your Writing Process

I get asked all of the time how I write my novels and my techniques. I am a unique writer in this way. I don't have a specific technique. I write straight from my imagination and allow the words to pour on the page. It's how my brain works. I can't really give "my" method an explanation. I like to think of it like a pipeline from the Universe to my brain. Maybe it's much like those math people who can look at a problem and solve it in their heads. It works in their minds. If I look at a math formula it looks Greek to me.

 

What I do tell writers is to develop their own process - the one that works for them. I can though provide some tips on how to develop "a" process. So, I thought I would share some ideas I've read about that other writers use.

 

Create a cast list and give each character a back-story and history. Describe their lives outside of the book. You don't have to use this information in the story, but it will help guide you how to write that character. What is his/her social economic background? What part of the country or world do he/she come from (it will affect their dialects)? Use this information to figure out how it affects his/her speaking and behavior.

 

Use note cards to review while your working to keep the structure locked in place and help remind yourself of story details. I have a friend who used this method. Each of his projects looked like a shrine. It helped him to track his story-telling process more precisely. I use a notebook with little details about characters so I don't lose track of specifics. Writing stuff down (and I know some people don't even pick up a pen anymore) helps cement information in your brain.

 

Redundancy and over use of some language bogs down writing and makes it repetitive. We all have those particular words and expressions we use too much. You may find you've used an adjective far too many times. I strongly recommend you identify your overused words and do a find/change. Pull up your Thesaurus and find fresh, new words. I've said it before, so I will say it again: Your Thesaurus is your best friend!

 

What if you can't quite see the redundancies? Start reading aloud. The overused words will quite literally jump off the page at you. Now use the aforementioned tip above and start revising.

Reading aloud will show you all your awkward writing, too. Nothing will give you a tongue-twister faster than reading your work aloud. If you can't fluidly and easily say a sentence aloud, rewrite it. Think of it like an audio book. Imagine hiring a voice-over specialist and he/she has to read aloud those awkward sentences. Your book isn't going to sound so great, right?

 

Okay positive quote of the day:

 

The power of persistence is only multiplied by your ability TO persist!

 

Now go take on the day and persist in your dreams. 

 

Looking for someone to help you with your writing? I am a writing coach, and I can be reached at info@3LPublishing.com.