Shutterstock©I thought it would be good to highlight some handy, easily overlooked tips to help improve your writing skills. With some foresight, story writing practices can become second nature.
Write regularly
It sounds simple, but a daily writing habit can boost creativity and momentum. Whether it’s 15 minutes or 1500 words, you will value the precious times when it’s just you, your characters and story worlds.
You will learn to crave those daily writing sessions. Entire stories can flow on to the page during such times. Some days you might only jot down a couple of lines. It doesn’t matter – you are writing and engaging your imagination on a regular basis.
Find a practice that works for you. I’m a morning person and therefore prefer to write during the first part of the day. Some people are night owls; find a time that suits you and your circumstances.
Don’t get bogged down in correct syntax at this stage – that can come later through editing. Write regularly and with freedom.
Know your market
Are you writing for young or mature readers? Does the reader expect storyline adventure or romance? In the “Friend”, the reader requires traditional family values – not old-fashioned, but morally sound.
Naturally, as a writer you will have all sorts of ideas on the stories you want to write. But stories should reflect the market they are aimed at.
Look at the types of stories that work for you. For example, genre, story length, first or third person. Of course you can deviate from this method, but having a solid writing formula to work with, especially for new writers, can be both reassuring and productive.
Boost your creativity
Write with your imagination engaged – hear the sound of characters’ voices and watch scenes unfold before you. Picture it all and transfer your thoughts on to the page. Often, writing is as much an emotion as it is a practice.
Journaling can often prove fruitful, too. You don’t have to write X amount of words a day to be a writer. The writing process takes all shapes and forms, including the jotting down of story ideas and scenarios.
Regular writing practices can help your creativity to shine.
Alan Spink I am a member of the “Friend” Fiction Team. I enjoy working closely with writers and being part of the creative process, which sees storytelling ideas come to fruition. A keen reader, I also write fiction and enjoy watching football and movies in my spare time. My one tip to new writers is “write from your imagination”.
