Tricks of the Trade

Writing is an art that, like any other, requires attention, focus, and a constant improvement based on appreciation and attention to other’s work, and a greater awareness of abstract ideas like human nature and purpose, and the nature of the world.  Even a very amateur writer knows this, and as such, points, and ideas from other writers are invaluable to development.  Here are a few of my personal tips.

1.     Don’t be afraid to put yourself in any story.

I say this not in the sense that you should literally write yourself as a character in a story, but in the sense that you shouldn’t be afraid to let your personal nature, personality, and struggles show through in the plot and characters.  In fact, if you avoid this, your tale will undoubtedly fall flat as you try to create something to which you can’t very well relate, and which you cannot empathize with.  Being able to do this, though exposing it may feel, will add an inherent drive and passion to your story or poem, or whatever it is you are penning at the time, as, like I said, you put a bit of yourself down on the paper

2.     Be deliberate in the tone of the writing.

By this, I mean that you should decide what latent, not necessarily spoken emotions you wish to communicate prior to the start of the story.  Even if you can’t decide 100%, have a general idea.  Then, be sure to keep the tone consistent.  If you want a wearied, wandering tone, be sure that the interaction and flow of the story and thoughts communicate that.  If you want a hopeful, expectant tone, be sure that you add some excitement underlying the dialogue and events so that your characters don’t seem flat. Often times this is easy if you write based on mood, though choosing to pen a story with a currently foreign emotion can prove challenging.

3.     Be sure to use plenty of synonyms.

This one is fairly self-explanatory.  Simply avoid using the same set of words over and over.  Remember that in art, color is the key to capturing your subject, and each different word carries a different hue.

 

4.     Keep your verbs active.

This is one that you have probably heard before, but I’ll explain it briefly.  Almost all of the time, it is crucial to make sure that your actions are clearly, and powerfully communicated.  Sometimes this is not the case if there is a certain tone that you wish to communicate, but that is the exception.  Remember that actions are the spice that create the very drive of the plot, so do not neglect them.

5.      Write as though writing for a publication.

 

Lastly, I just address the attitude behind writing.  Make sure that you don’t view writing just as an assignment or as an insignificant spatter of words that will never see the light of day.  Write as though everything you’re writing is being sent to an editor for publication.  There will be times that you just need to write something for school or whatever is the case, but let that be the exception.  Remember, your attitude will be reflected in your writing, whether you intend it or not.