5 Ways to Improve Your Writing

I've decided to start a series of "5 lists", in which I will list 5 items related to books/writing, movies, board games and whatever else my fickle little heart fancies. Why fives? Well, five seems to be popular among us humans, probably because it's as many fingers as we have on one hand. At least most of us... Right. Well, here we go!

5 Ways to Improve Your Writing:

I don't pretend to be the authoritative voice on the matter, but you don't spend almost twenty years writing (albeit, sometimes sporadically) without learning something. So here are five things I learned from my own research and experience... and mistakes, as a writer. 

1. Don't bore me on the first page!

I don't know how many times I've picked up a book, read a couple sentences on the first page, and immediately put it down. Why? Because it was BORING. "Janice was sitting at her desk waiting for her client to arrive. She opened her e-mail and sighed when she saw the first one. It was her mother. She and her mother had a precarious relationship at best. It hadn't always been this way. When she was a little girl she remembered the trips to the ice cream store and the park. Then her parents divorced..." 

And... what were we talking about? I was half zoned out while I wrote that. Why??? Because nothing's happening! Some lady is sitting at her desk thinking about her past while waiting for her client to arrive. All of that stuff in the past? That should be woven into the story itself like a beautiful thread to help create the texture of a robust plot. Don't throw it all at me in the beginning- get on with the story, let me learn about the character as it comes out naturally through the story line and interaction between characters. Of course, this rule, like so many others, does have exceptions. So ultimately, stay true to your style, but also keep me engaged in those first pages. Remember, that's where you want to hook the reader! So if you do have a lot of backstory, make it interesting and fresh.

2. Be yourself

Obvious, right? Well, not really. There was a time when I was learning and I found myself imitating whichever authors I was currently reading. Now, I will say that's not a bad thing for the learning process. In fact, it's a fun creative challenge to imitate another author, and chances are we have to go through a little bit of mimicry before we find our own voice. But when it comes to writing a sparkly original story, just be yourself, don't try to be somebody else. Take a little inspiration from a book or author you like here and there, mix it with a lot of your own zest and huzzah! You have a unique voice people will like. Or hate. Depends. Either way, be yourself. Don't know what "yourself" sounds like? That's okay, just write a bunch of fodder until you figure it out.

3. Learn a little

Take the time to do some basic research about the places, practices, people, etc. in your book. And take the time to learn about writing in general. If you have a great idea, then definitely write it down, but before you solidify it into a real, concrete story, make sure you get the obvious facts right.

4. Don't learn too much

Bouncing from the last point, it's great to research, but don't live in research land forever. It's just a stop along the way to the finish line. At some point you actually do have to start writing, otherwise those great ideas and all that head knowledge won't really benefit you much. There's a time to move on. Know enough to sound like you know what you're talking about, but you don't necessarily have to be pro. Note that I'm talking about fictional writing here, if you're writing a how-to or a biography, then yeah, you probably do have to be a pro.

5. Even if it's c#@p, just get it on the page!

My dear BFF and co-author got me a shirt that says this, because in our own writing journey we learned the value of riding the waves of inspiration. Yes, you want to learn your stuff, yes you want to write well, but when those first raw surges of inspiration strike, write them down! Also, when you have a story to write, make yourself sit down and write it- you can go back and edit later (maybe I'll do 5 tips on editing later! Hmm...). Writing ANYTHING is better than nothing. Say it with me: Anything is better than nothing.  Books are made of chapters, chapters are made of scenes, scenes are made of sentences and paragraphs which consist of words. Write ten words a day, or a hundred words a day, or a thousand- just write! If there's one thing I leave you with today, it's that.

Did you enjoy this list? Would you like to see more? Welp, you'll be seeing more from me every Wednesday, so keep them little eyes peeled. And, hey, if you have any suggestions for a "five list" you would like to see from me, let me know in the comments! Maybe I'll condescend from my lofty perch as wisest of wise of everything and write about it. 

Until then, keep writing, keep living, keep happy.