Okay, these tips are of my opinion.

So, you don't really have to follow these/one of these if you are not comfortable with it. I just wanna give pointers to help enhance your story. So, don't get mad at me please? :)

TIP#1

Don't condense your story/chapter in only one paragraph.

-Look, I know that many (I think?) of us thinks that writing your story (whether this is a one-shot or chaptered) in only ONE paragraph looks cool, to your readers, it doesn't.

Because, if my trainer told me something I realized I was wrong, was this. She said that as a reader, your story must be seen light. Meaning add a little more spacing and make more paragraphs, its not a crime!

Because if you only write down your 3 000+ word chapter in only one paragraph, it will look heavy to the eyes and there will be a 76% chance that your reader will get lazy just looking at those monstrous condensed-into-one-paragraphed words.

Your story needs to be as eye-catching as possible even just by looking at those paragraphed words. Just like this answer thingy of mine. :) I separated it into four paragraphs, you see?

TIP#2

Make the chapters a little longer.

-Okay, maybe I am guilty of this too because of the lack of time, but as much as possible give your readers something worth reading.

Okay, I write short chapters, I admit it. But not that short. Like the types that only contain about 20 words? No, sweeties. That is awkward. Espacially when the update is kinda slow (no offense, I'm guilty of this one too LOL)

But if ever your that type of writer that can't do the long 1000+ words, then I advice you to update more than one of it. 2 short chaptered updates is cooler than 1 short chaptered update you waited for 10 years, don't you think? Haha.

Look at My Last Romance for example, it is a short-chaptered story I accidentally wrote (but am proud of), but how many chapters did it reached? 37? Yeah. Those are short chapters. Gosh, now you know that I am sometimes lazy too, I'm telling you. Haha.

Anyway, all in all, give them a chapter worth their wait.. ^_^

Ps. If your a one-shot writer, do the same! You should exert more effort because yours is a one-shot. Meaning all the ideas and event/s are in one update. So, give it all you got! Go get 'em tiger! Haha.

TIP#3

Think out of the box.

-This, is a must. If ever you want your story to be discovered and/or read by many, then I suggest you to think out of the box. Meaning, you have to be unique! Think of twisted plotlines and genres!

Instead of another romance, write an adventure! Or even a horror or fantasy story! I, myself get lazy (sometimes) to read love stories with the same plot over and over again.

An author was right, when you read romance and then you got to the part where the girl protagonist bumps a cute guy in the hallway, you'll get the idea and can predict the events clearly! "Yup, they'll be together." That is what you'll think.

One more common event, is the start of a story. She/He walkes up with the alarm clock. No offense honeys, but this is really common nowadays. Try something new to start it up! Like, she was being chased by a wolf or accidentally kissed John Cena! Or maybe it started with a break up! Oh, the lights of betrayal!! And, and---

O____O ...Okay.. Sorry about that. Haha. I am a weird author, I'm warning you guys. Lol. I scare myself sometimes -___-'

But anyway, its all up to you! If you're that classic type of writer then, you could always use the irony thingy or something alike.

Ps. Always remember that the START of a story, whether that is a prologue or Chapter one, is the soul of the whole plot. It carries the readers to read and read until he/she finds himself/herself loving your work. It acts like a gateway!

Just make sure that your work stands out, okay? ;)

TIP#4

Choose words.

-Yes, choose words. Why? Well, think of this as a challenge. You write the same word, over and over again, until you realized that that word existed 35 times in just one chapter!

Okay, I'm not talking about "I" or "his" or whatsoever. I am talking about the words like "remember". Why would you use remember all the time if you could use an alternate word with the same meaning? Like "recall" get the point?

Limit your usage of the same word and widen you vocabulary!

(of course this has an exception sometimes, depending on the stage of emotion expressed like when you use this sentence:

Ex. He dislikes me

Is clearly different if you use

He hates me.

See the difference? Dislike and hate does not go alike. Maybe in meaning slightly yes, but the thing is, it depends. So be wise.)

Oh, and one more thing, try to use figure of speech. You know, like:

He's as sweet as sugar
Cat caught your tongue
Eyes follow him

And stuff alike. It'll make the story more fun to read. It adds color! :)

TIP#5

Try to stay with the genre/category.

-I know how it feels when you're suddenly in the mood for writing and then you start to think of outrageous events and stuff, BUT, try to limit it guys. I am not asking you to stop it, because imagination and ideas are the core of a story, but try to not go over the edge to much.

For example. Your genre is ROMANCE

But because you like to rock n' roll, you made it into a HORROR, COMEDY, SUSPENSE, DRAMA, and even emerged it into a SCI-FICTION.

-___^? Get it?

I mean, look, you could just change the category to OTHERS or RANDOM. That way, the readers know that your plot is really unexpected. Hahaha. Don't make your reader expect you write a Love genre because its in the title and cover of the story, then you suddenly shift to Mystery Murder type.

TIP#6

Edit.

-I am so guilty of this. Lol. Haha. Yeah, but I suggest, as much as possible, try to check these things in order:

GRAMMAR: it is understood if you have typographical errors in spelling or something.

Ex: I lovr her.
(The e became r. Understood. Its a qwerty keypad, okay.)

But if ever you write like this:

Ex: Me is loving her.
(Oo?) I think you get my point now..

But, if you're not the grammar freak type and just an ordinary like me, then its completely okay too. Well, like they say, its always about the content of the story. :) this is just a little spice up.

WRONG SPELLINGS: like I said, its kinda more okay than grammar errors, but still need to be treated.

SPACING: Yeah, just like in tip#1, don't condense, okay?

CONTENT: Haha. I know that writing wrong contents is just not that common, and a very rare case at hand but, just make sure.

TIP#7

Have your own writing style.

-All of us has one. These tips are just a simple add up to enhance it, so don't get me wrong, okay? Just don't and never compare your works to others and you're on the go!

TIP#8

Find a reason.

-We all have reasons for everything. So, think about it for a bit and ask yourself, Why do I write? What is my reason?

Just have self-assessment and find that passion/inspiration that would keep you writing on the go!

Always remind yourself why you do this, because sometimes, there will be a point when you feel all lazy and have second thoughts in writing. So, its best if as early as possible, you find your reason and keep reminding yourself that this is your goal.

TIP#9

Enjoy.

-This is the mother of all tips, sweeties. Enjoy! You write because you write! You love/like what you're doing. Just feel the moment and connect it with your emotions!

I have many (cute) commenteers that say that their heart ached because of some of my works. Haha, I still apologize for that! Anyway, the readers feel what you write.

A writer, for me, is an amazing person that can connect with his/her readers through words.

So, let that enjoyment out and feel each moment of writing your story!

Me? Well.. I gotta admit, I cry at some of my SasuSaku stories while writing it. Weird. I know.

But, like I say, I AM WEIRD. Its my middle name! Haha.

Anywho, these, are again just some add ups to improve your writing. I am not perfect. Neither of us are. But we should always keep in mind that we should:

STOP BEING PERFECT AND START BEING YOU.

If you think that life is unfair, then I gotta tell you this, LIFE is UNFAIR to EVERYONE. So that makes it fair! Sense?

Whews. So, just follow the tips that you think are handy and all in all make a story worth reading!

Upnext, Part 2: Advice!

-Misty ;)