Categories
Craft

Eight Things to Look Out for When Editing Your Writing

Editing is an essential part of the creative writing process that allows you to refine and polish your work. While writing is the act of putting your ideas onto paper, editing is the art of shaping those ideas into a coherent and engaging piece of literature. It involves revising, proofreading, and fine-tuning your writing to improve clarity, flow, and effectiveness. Unsure what to look out for when editing? Read on.

The primary goal of editing creative writing is to enhance the reader’s experience. It’s about creating a seamless and immersive journey through your words, where readers can fully connect with your story, characters, and ideas. Whether you’re writing a short story, novel, or poem, the editing process plays a crucial role in transforming your initial draft into a polished and impactful piece of writing.

Ready to get started? Here are eight things to look out for when editing:

  1. Eliminating Repetition: Read through your piece and identify any repeated words, phrases, or ideas. Replace them with synonyms or rephrase the sentences to make them more engaging and varied.
  2. Strengthening Verbs: Look for weak or generic verbs in your writing and replace them with stronger, more specific verbs. This will make your sentences more vibrant and impactful.
  3. Removing Unnecessary Adjectives and Adverbs: Scan your writing for excessive use of adjectives and adverbs. Consider whether each one is essential and contributes to the overall meaning. Remove any that are redundant or don’t add value.
  4. Enhancing Sentence Structure: Vary the length and structure of your sentences to create a more dynamic and engaging flow. Mix shorter, punchy sentences with longer, more descriptive ones to add rhythm and keep the reader interested.
  5. Consistency in Point of View: Check that you maintain a consistent point of view throughout your piece. If you’re writing from a specific character’s perspective, ensure the narrative stays true to their voice and experiences.
  6. Tightening Dialogue: Review your dialogue and remove unnecessary tags or speech attributions. Make sure each line of dialogue serves a purpose, reveals something about the characters, or advances the plot.
  7. Show, Don’t Tell: Identify passages where you tell the reader something dramatic instead of showing it through action, dialogue, or sensory details. Reword these sections to bring the story to life and engage the reader’s imagination. Remember – there is a place for telling in your story. Click here   to find out how to differentiate between show and tell, and when to do either.
  8. Proofreading for Grammar and Punctuation: Finally, carefully proofread your piece for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Pay attention to commonly misused words, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure.

Remember, editing is an iterative process, so don’t be afraid to revise your work multiple times. Each round of editing will help you refine your writing and make it more polished and impactful.

Want to read something similar?

5 Things to Consider When Hiring an Editor
How to Edit Creative Writing for Clarity, Style and Substance
How to Find and Fix Plot Holes

If you have any questions about editing, feel free to get in touch and ask me. To learn more about the editing packages I offer, click on the editing page on my website! As a writer with a PhD, MA and BA in Creative Writing and a previous CW lecturer, I’ve done my fair share of high-level fiction editing, and have very happy testimonials. Get in touch today for dates, questions, and information. I’m always happy to chat! 

Categories
Productivity

How I Wrote 12,000 Words in Six Days

I have just finished running the Writing Week Retreat with my fellow writer, editor and coach, Isobelle (of Inspired Creative Co.), and it was wonderful. We had some fantastic writers join us from around the world, and overall, the final word count for the week was over 50,000 words between us. That’s an amazing achievement for six days! Let’s talk about how we did it.

1 – Community

For me, there is nothing as powerful as community support when it comes to writing. I thrive when surrounded by writers, whether in real life or virtually, and I have witnessed the impact on others, too. During the retreat, we had two hour-long writing sprints a day. Having that dedicated time meant we could focus on our words with others.

Your Task: Find your community. 

2 – Goals

My goal at the start of every hour-long writing sprint was to write as much as I knew I could – 1000 words in one hour. I know that I can write this because this is my creative data (if you’re not sure what I mean, check this blog post out!), and so I pushed myself to achieve this goal. This meant that my 12000 word achievement was my goal all along, and I am delighted to have made it!

Your task: Discover your creative data and set realistic goals. 

3 – Plans

I’m a dedicated plotter, but during the retreat, I tried something completely different. I had an idea of where I wanted my story to go, and I discussed it with others, but overall I allowed myself to be a discovery writer. This means that the characters took me where they wanted to go, and out of that came a story I absolutely love. While it does differ from my original idea, I am loving the new tale, and the process is exciting and really fun.

Your task: Don’t be too rigid in terms of plans, allow yourself to discover too!

4 – Vision

To help visualise my finished book, I played with title ideas and covers on Canva. The mocked-up image is below! This sort of thing really helps when it comes to picturing the finished novel, which helps motivate me to create and write more.

Your task: Give your work in progress a title and a cover. It doesn’t have to be final.

5 – Craft 

Despite having spent eight years in higher education learning the craft of Creative Writing, there is always more to learn. That’s why one of my values is education! During the retreat, Isobelle and I ran classes on everything from character arcs to raising the stakes, and our focus on that craft element helped tighten up my prose.

Your task: Don’t be afraid to improve your craft and take a class. 

Are you looking for community, creativity, and craft advice? Well, stay tuned. We have more planned and can’t wait to share it with you.

If you still need to grab your copy of the Story Development Workbook (unfortunately, we have had issues with Etsy on their end!), it is now available. Click here to learn more because this workbook is jam-packed with help, and you don’t want to miss it!

Categories
Craft Productivity

Eight Writing Exercises to Get You Out of a Creative Slump

Are you in a creative slump at the moment, finding it hard to write? I hear you; something about the start of the year makes it hard to be creative. And yes, although it’s April, I’m still seeing frost on the trees on my morning dog walk, so spring hasn’t quite sprung yet. Anyway, back to the point – creative writing exercises inspire, spark creativity, and give you fresh ideas. Here are eight to kick-start your writing:

  1. Freewriting: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write continuously without stopping or worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Write down whatever comes to mind, even if it seems nonsensical.
  2. Writing prompts: Use a writing prompt (like the ones I sent in my newsletters!) to inspire your writing. Write for 10-15 minutes using the prompt as a starting point.
  3. Character development: Create a character profile for a fictional character. Include details such as their name, age, appearance, personality, and backstory.
  4. Dialogue practice: Write a conversation between two characters. Focus on making the dialogue sound natural and authentic.
  5. Rewriting: Take a piece of writing you’ve already written and rewrite it from a different perspective or in a different genre.
  6. Setting Description: Choose a setting (such as a park or a beach) and write a detailed description of it. Use all your senses to bring the scene to life.
  7. Point of view: Write a scene from two different points of view. For example, write a scene from the perspective of a character who is in love and then write the same scene from the perspective of a character who is angry.
  8. Word association: Choose a word and write down all the words that come to mind when you think of it. Use those words as inspiration for your writing.

Remember, practising regularly and experimenting with different exercises to find what works best for you is key to improving your writing.

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

11 Ways to Get Ideas When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
3 Steps to Your Writing Management Plan
10 Ways to Grow as a Writer

Categories
Publishing

What Does It Mean to Find Your Ideal Reader?

As every writer of fiction knows, there’s nothing quite like finding the right reader for your stories. A reader who understands your world and characters and can appreciate your artful craftsmanship is worth their weight in gold – but how do you find them?

The first step in finding the right reader for your work is identifying the audience you want to target. Are you writing a fantasy novel? Then you likely want to find readers who are fans of that genre. Or maybe you’re writing a historical romance? If so, then look for people who are already interested in this type of story. Having an understanding of who your readers are and what they want will help you craft a story that has a better chance of finding success with its target audience.

Once you know who your target audience is, take some time to do research on them. Read reviews, follow blogs and forums dedicated to their reading interests, and get familiar with the types of books they tend to enjoy or dislike. This way, you’ll understand what kind of reader experience they’re looking for when it comes to fiction writing, which will allow you to tailor your own work in such a way that meets their expectations but still remains unique and fresh enough for them to be interested in it.

Another key aspect of finding the right reader for your work is knowing where to find them. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook can provide valuable insights into what readers look for when it comes to new stories and where they hang out online, allowing you to better target your marketing efforts towards those who will most appreciate your work. Additionally, creating relationships with bloggers or reviewers who specialise in covering books in your chosen genre can also be helpful; these professionals often have strong networks within their communities, giving them access to more potential readers than what general marketing campaigns alone could reach out to.

By taking some time beforehand to properly research both the types of stories that meet your intended audience’s needs and where best to find these individuals online, authors can greatly increase the chances that their stories will be read and appreciated by exactly the right people – making all their hard work worthwhile!

Want to know more about finding your ideal reader? Check out this blog post! 

Categories
Craft

The Difference Between Information Dumping and World-Building

You might have clicked on this blog post out of curiosity, wondering what one thing (information dumping) has to do with another (world-building). Well, information dumping is often confused with world-building, leaving the reader swimming among complex and difficult-to-read background narratives and setting information. So, how can you pull back from information dumping while creating complex worlds for your reader? Let’s dig in!

What is information dumping in creative writing, and why should writers strive to avoid it?

Information dumping in creative writing is the act of including excessive amounts of information all at once, which can be overwhelming for readers and detract from the overall story. It may take the form of long descriptions, explanations, or conversations that provide an unrealistic amount of information. This is especially problematic when it comes to backstory or world-building, as it can make readers feel like they have to “catch up” with the story in order to understand what’s happening.

Rather than dumping large amounts of information into one scene or conversation, writers should aim to spread out this information throughout their work in a more natural way. One approach is to introduce these details gradually over time as part of the narrative, allowing readers to absorb them as they go along. For example, rather than explaining a character’s entire backstory in one dialogue exchange, writers could interweave bits of that backstory into multiple scenes and conversations so that it feels more organic. This way, readers will be able to better follow along with the story and engage with it on a deeper level.

Another way writers can avoid information dumping is by focusing on characters instead of heavy description and exposition. Instead of relying on lengthy descriptions about settings or plot points, use characters’ actions and emotions to convey key elements of your story. By doing this, you can maintain your reader’s interest while still providing enough detail for them to build a mental picture without feeling overloaded or bored by too much information.

Another benefit of avoiding information dumping is that it allows for more natural dialogue between characters. When there’s too much exposition and detail given by one character to another, it often sounds forced and unrealistic. By introducing new ideas slowly into conversations, writers can craft more believable interactions.

Finally, if used effectively, withholding excess information can create tension and excitement while providing insight into characters’ true motivations and histories. If done right, readers will be eager to learn more about each character as they experience their journey firsthand instead of having everything revealed all at once—which would likely lead to disinterest or apathy towards their struggles over time.

Ways to Avoid Information Dumping

Use the senses:
Focus on creating vivid settings. Rather than simply stating facts about a setting, provide enough details about it that readers can visualise it in their minds as if they were really there. Describe the smells, the sounds, the sights, and textures that make up the character’s environment – these kinds of descriptions will help capture the reader’s imagination.

Introduce your characters slowly: 
Ensure characters have distinct voices and personalities. Instead of introducing characters with huge info-dumps full of traits and facts, create dialogue between them within their own scenes that convey who they are while also keeping things interesting for readers. Providing subtle details like accents or speech patterns can help bring characters to life and add depth without being too obvious or expositional.

Finish the puzzle:
Finally, tie up any loose ends you create in your stories without resorting to info-dumping them near the end. Ask yourself: What questions did I raise throughout my story? How am I going to answer them? Make sure your readers don’t feel like anything was left unresolved or that you simply rushed through certain plot points just so you could wrap everything up quickly at the end – instead, strive for a satisfying conclusion where every part fits together nicely like puzzle pieces.

Building Complex Universes to Create Captivating Experiences for Readers

Now we know how to avoid information dumping and why, how do we build a complex world?

Focus on Setting and Character
By constructing intricate settings and dynamic characters, authors are able to open up windows into new worlds that captivate readers into staying within these fictional realms. A well-crafted universe can make all the difference between a good story and an exceptional one.

A great example of how a fantasy world can be built is found in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series (you knew I would fit it in somehow!). From the language of Middle Earth to the detailed histories of Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits, Tolkien created an entirely unique world full of hidden secrets and remarkable characters that readers are still discovering today. Not only did he construct an incredibly detailed world, but he also filled it with intense battles and complex political struggles, which added even more layers to his imaginative universe.

Another example is George R.R Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire series, which tells a gripping tale set on the continent of Westeros where seven powerful families fight for control over the Iron Throne. Martin’s world is populated by fascinating characters with opposing goals, relationships rife with conflict and betrayals that keep readers glued to their seats until they reach the end of each book.

Building complex universes gives authors the opportunity to establish unique cultures, environments and societies, which add depth to their stories. It’s no wonder that some stories have captured public imaginations for decades – by giving readers access to worlds previously undiscovered by them before immersing themselves within these fictional realms; new experiences await! Do you need help with creating your world? Head to grab my freebies here – you’ll find world-building and character questions to help you build an amazing universe!

It’s important that writers find ways to avoid information dumping in their work if they want to create captivating, complex universes for their readers. Information dumping can hinder the flow of a story and ultimately result in a disappointing experience for the reader. By understanding what information dumping is and taking steps to avoid it, writers can hone their craft, produce better-quality work, and give their readers a world they love to read about.

Want to read something similar? Check these out:

How to Edit Creative Writing for Clarity, Style and Substance
5 Tips for Writing Trilogies by Carly Bennett

 

Categories
Craft

Can Creative Writing Be Taught?

It’s a question that I’ve heard throughout my writing career. As you know, I am an author, writing coach and editor, but I have also been a university lecturer in creative writing and have taught adults in this field for over seven years.

There are different types of creative writing classes. There is the type that allows you the time to write, essentially putting writers in a room together and giving them a theme to create with for an hour or so. There is also the type of class I teach, focusing more on the theory and craft of creative writing. From dialogue to characterisation, I teach writers everything from finding the time to write to creating a realistic character and plot.

In my experience, creative writing can be taught. Of course, talent is a huge part of anything creative, and some people find it easier to write and have a natural flair for the written word. But, I believe that anyone can tell their story with the right support.

Taking a creative writing class is the perfect way to get your creative juices flowing and hone your craft. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, want to refine your writing skills or brush up on some techniques, creative writing classes are a great launching pad.

Creative writing classes offer invaluable opportunities to learn new concepts while surrounded by like-minded writers. You can bounce ideas off each other and learn from different perspectives in order to expand your creative horizons. Not only will you become inspired by fellow students’ work, but you will also find motivation within yourself to develop further as a writer. Creative writing classes also offer networking opportunities with other writers who share your interests. Connecting with like-minded individuals can help open up possibilities for collaboration or even just making new friends within the creative circle.

The teachers of creative writing classes provide helpful advice and tips that guide you through the creative process. They often have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which can help you get the most out of your creative writing class. With their guidance, you’ll be able to explore various topics and find creative ways to express them in your writing.

Overall, creative writing classes can be an invaluable part of any writer’s journey. Such a course will inspire ideas and enhance your process, helping you build essential skills and connections that will benefit you as a writer. So why not give creative writing classes a try? You’ll be surprised at how much your creative work can benefit from it.

Looking for a creative writing class? If your preference is online, I offer a Masterclass, It’s Time to Write Your Novel. Here’s what my student Hannah had to say about it:

The Novel Writing Masterclass is a resource that I just keep coming back to. The flexible lesson structure and topic-focused videos mean that I can come back to Rachel’s valuable insight when I’m stuck or battling with a certain area of my writing. It is a dream of mine to write a novel, and although life sometimes gets in the way, I know that I have the knowledge, expertise and compassionate guidance of Rachel always behind me through her Masterclass resources and material.”

If you favour real-life classes, reach out to your local hubs for more information, workshops and further resources. With the right guidance, you may find yourself improving as a writer in no time! So why wait? Take that creative writing class now and start developing your craft today.

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

5 Things I Wish I Had Known before Writing My First Novel
10 Ways to Grow as a Writer

Categories
Craft

3 Ways to Help a Reader Connect with your Characters

Crafting believable characters is a key element of successful fiction writing. To create vibrant and engaging stories, authors must develop their protagonists and antagonists in ways that draw readers into the narrative with carefully crafted dialogue, motivations, backgrounds, goals – all these elements allow us to relate to the character’s journey on an emotional level. By infusing their protagonists and antagonists with individual characteristics, writers provide immersive narratives in which readers can identify themselves within the character’s journey. This helps to create a lasting impact, which can define the success of a book.

When character development is done right, it can be compelling. By successfully creating characters that readers can relate to and empathise with, writers will be rewarded with an engaged audience. Although characterisation is often subject to individual interpretations, there are some general tips authors should keep in mind when crafting their own unique protagonists and antagonists.

Firstly, ensure your character’s dialogue reflects their character traits – if they’re supposed to be shy or outspoken, this must come across in their dialogue. Remember that people change as they grow, so your character’s dialogue should change alongside their character arc and experiences. Think of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol and how his language changes as we move through the story. He goes from being a character who speaks in short, angry, monosyllabic bursts of dialogue to being lyrical, ‘as merry as a schoolboy’, when he sees that life’s riches are beyond his wallet.

Secondly, ensure you have provided enough detail about the character’s background and motivations for readers to connect emotionally with them – without these details, characterisation can fall flat. How can you help your reader connect with your character? What motivates them to move forward through the story? It might be love, grief, ambition, or pride. All of these are universal feelings that your reader will be familiar with, so dig deep, and don’t be afraid to ‘write what you know’ (not sure what I mean by this? Don’t worry – I don’t mean write about your life! Check out this blog post here).

Finally, consider how your character develops over the course of the story – do they change for better or worse? How does this affect their character arc? Show the reader your character’s journey and how they have developed along the way.

If you are looking to craft engaging and captivating stories, begin by considering your protagonists’ and antagonists’ motivations and goals, and how your readers will be able to identify themselves within the character’s journey.

Would you like to talk about your characters? Get in touch here. 

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

How to Create a Realistic Character
How to Use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Your Character Development

Categories
Craft

How to Write Conflict in Your Novel: Tips for Crafting Dynamic Drama

Conflict is the backbone of any good story. It makes readers want to keep turning the pages, desperate to discover what happens next. If you want to write a novel packed with conflict, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, I’ll give you tips on crafting dynamic scenes of conflict that will keep your readers hooked from beginning to end.

So, what are some tips for writing conflict in your novel? Here are five to get you started:
  1. Make sure each character has a clear motivation for why they’re doing what they’re doing. Without this, the conflict will feel contrived and forced.
  2. Allow the conflict to escalate gradually. Start with small disagreements and then amp up the stakes as things progress. Conflict doesn’t always have to be big and dramatic. Sometimes the most interesting stories come from more subtle conflicts, like those between friends or family members. Experiment and see what works best for your story.
  3. Don’t be afraid to let your characters make mistakes. This will only make them feel more real and relatable to readers. We need to be able to root for them, and this means giving them relatable goals and motivations. Remember that not every character needs to be involved in every scene of conflict. In fact, sometimes, it can be more effective to have just one or two characters locked in battle while the rest of the cast watches on from the sidelines. This allows you to focus on the emotions and motivations of the characters involved and explore their relationship’s intricacies.
  4. Use dialogue to heighten the tension between characters further.
  5. And finally, remember that conflict should always serve a purpose. It should move the story forward and help to develop the characters in some way. One of the best ways to create believable conflict is to write about universal themes we can all relate to. Love, loss, betrayal, ambition, greed, fear… these are all emotions that we have all felt at one time, so they make for great fodder for conflict in your novel.

With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to writing conflict that is dynamic and engaging. Would you like to talk about writing conflict? Get in touch here. 

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

How to Create a Realistic Character
How to Create Tension in Your Writing

Categories
Coaching Productivity

How to Get Back into Creative Writing: Tips for Returning Writers

Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve written anything creatively. You used to enjoy writing short stories, poetry, and novels, but now it feels like a chore. You can’t seem to find the inspiration you need, and the words just won’t come out right. Creative writing can be a lot of fun, but it can also be daunting to start again after taking a break. These tips will help ease you back into the swing of things so you can enjoy the process and produce your best work.

Here are some tips for returning writers that will help get your creative juices flowing again:
  1. Assuming you haven’t written anything in a while, the first step is just to start writing again. Set aside some time each day, or even each week, specifically for writing. It doesn’t matter what you write about – just get words on the page. The important thing is to keep the momentum going and not let yourself get too discouraged. Making time for regular writing sessions will help train your brain to think creatively again.
  2. Pick up a pen and paper instead of typing on a computer. Sometimes the physical act of writing can help jumpstart your creativity.
  3. Start with prompts. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, try using prompts to get started. You can find them in my newsletters, prompts online or in books designed specifically for writers. Once you get started, the ideas will begin to flow more easily.
  4. Join a writer’s group or take a writing class. Connecting with other writers can help jumpstart your creativity and give you some constructive feedback on your work. If you want to take a Creative Writing class online, check out my Creative Writing Masterclass here!
  5. Read, read, read! When you’re not writing, fill your time with reading material that inspires you. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, reading will help.
  6. Set small goals at first. Trying to tackle a massive project right off the bat can be daunting and lead to writer’s block. Instead, start with something more manageable that you know you can complete. This will help build your confidence and keep you motivated to keep going.
  7. If you’re having trouble getting started, it can also be helpful to lower your expectations. Write for yourself first and foremost, and don’t worry about whether what you’re producing is good or not. The goal is simply to get back into the habit of writing regularly.
  8. And finally, don’t forget to have fun! Creative writing should be enjoyable, so find a topic or genre you’re passionate about.

Taking some time for yourself is essential, too. Make sure to schedule some downtime to relax and recharge. Once you’ve taken some time to refresh yourself, you’ll be ready to start writing again with fresh energy and ideas.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting back into the swing of things when it comes to creative writing. Just remember to take things slow, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun!

Do you have any other tips for getting back into creative writing? Share them with me here. Want to talk about you can get back into writing? Book a Discovery Call today!

If you want to read something similar, check out the following:

Don’t Know Where to Start Writing? Try The Triptych Method
10 Ways to Limit Writing Overwhelm

Categories
Productivity

5 Tips for Writing Creatively in the Morning

Do you ever struggle to find the time or energy to write creatively in the morning? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it hard to get into the creative mindset early in the day. In this blog post, I’ll discuss some tips for establishing a morning routine that will help jumpstart your creativity.

1) Get up early. 

This may seem counterintuitive, but getting up earlier can give you more time to focus on your writing. Plus, there’s something about the quiet of early morning that just feels conducive to creativity. So set that alarm clock a little earlier than usual and see how it goes. Personally, I baulk at the idea of getting up an hour early, but I can manage twenty minutes. Those twenty minutes make a huge difference to me and my writing life.

2) Take some time for yourself. 

Before you start writing, take a few minutes to do something for yourself. This could be anything from taking a quick walk around the block to reading a few pages of your favourite book. The important thing is to take a few moments to clear your head and get into the right mindset for creative writing.

3) Find a comfortable spot.

Make sure you’re comfortable before writing. Find a spot where you can sit or stand comfortably. You might also consider playing soft music in the background to help you focus.

4) Try journalling or free writing before turning on the internet.

Set a timer for five or ten minutes and just write whatever comes into your head, without stopping to edit or worry about spelling or grammar. This can help get the creative juices flowing and warm up your brain for writing later in the day.

5) A change of space. 

If you want to write in the morning, but you’re struggling, try writing in a different location each day, or at least mix things up a bit. If you typically write at your kitchen table, try taking your laptop outside to the porch or park or working at a coffee shop instead. A change of scenery can help jumpstart the creative process!

If you’re not a morning person, don’t despair – there are plenty of other times during the day when you can get your creative juices flowing. Try setting aside some time each day to brainstorm new ideas or work on developing existing ones. If you can’t seem to get started, try brainstorming in the evening before bedtime or whenever you have some free time during the day. The important thing is to find a routine that works for you and stick with it! Want to know more about your writing routine? Click here for my fun quiz.

Do you have any other tips for jumpstarting your creativity in the morning? Share them with me here.

If you want to read something similar, check out the following:

How to Find the Time to Write
How To Set Effective Writing Goals