Tips List #1: Writing Tips

I thought it would be useful to compile a list of tips and tricks to writing for aspiring writers, or those who would like to improve their craft. I have gone through the depths of the internet for you guys, searching for advice blogs, websites, and so forth. I'll keep it to five tips per list, so it's easy and quick to read.

1. Write First, Edit Later

Obviously, when we write on Wattpad, the vast majority of us, especially fanfiction writers, are not looking to become famous (or maybe you are, more power to you). We do it because we enjoy it, because it's fun and for whatever personal reasons. So, a lot of us don't want to put in the extra time and effort to edit the stories. So they write up their first draft, publish it, and call it a day. And don't get me wrong, this is totally okay! Seriously!

However, I will stress one thing. If you are looking for some recognition, to see your stats rise, or to gain a following (let's be honest, we all want a little recognition for our hard work), then you should edit your drafts before making it public. The more professionally you write, the more people are going to read and vote for your stories/chapters/books. At least, I would assume that to be the case.

So, if you are looking to get recognized, you need to put some extra effort into the editing process. I know, it sucks. Trust me, I edit everything I write, including these posts. Write out your first draft without editing. Now, I don't know how you will take that. You may want to write so freely that you barely edit your basic spelling errors, or you may write a little more tighter than that and make sure the basics are covered. But just write it all out; get it out of your head and onto paper before you get distracted and forget your train of thought. Write your first draft spontaneously.

After, make sure you go through a proper editing process before you publish it.

Even better, try to see if you can get a beta reader (someone who reads your story before you publish it to a public audience). Having another set of eyes to see your writing that you've stared at for hours is really useful. You're overexposed to your own writing. When you write, you see the way you type things up all the time, so you're eyes are trained to miss certain things after a while.

Let's use myself as example. My brain is too fast for my tiny, little squirrel hands to keep up while typing. Sometimes, I misspell words or accidentally miss a word entirely when writing. Other times, I add in extra words because I deleted a part of the sentence, forgot an extra word that needed deletion, and then keep typing. By habit, my fingers type certain words from muscle memory and I don't notice, or I constantly misuse some word because I only recently found out it wasn't what I thought it meant.

Beta readers will catch those mistakes for you, even after you have done your editing. But don't worry, even if you don't have a beta reader and you publish your edited work, it's not a big deal. A few errors here and there in your writing aren't a big deal...although, if you're writing more professionally on Wattpad, those errors will stick out a lot more, in my opinion.

2. Avoid Long Sentences

I will be the first to admit, I DO THIS A LOT!! Even if you know how to use commas and semicolons properly, it's best to keep your sentences to the point and not so long-winded. Try not to overburden your readers with lengthy adjectives and descriptions, as it will bore them or confuse them.

This isn't to say don't write long sentences at all, because then that would just hurt your readers' brains. Imagine reading something like:

"Jane likes John. John likes Jane. Sadly, John and Jane are incompatible."

Or whatever. It's boring and makes reading it difficult. Let the words flow out, but don't use run on sentences that feel like they will never end. Again, I am a perpetrator in this because I like to make sure the sentences sound "elegant" in my head, but end up just being too lengthy.

3. Don't be a Thesaurus Whore!

....I use thesaurus.com a lot. In fact, it's always a tab I have open while I'm writing. However, I only use it when I find myself using the same word to describe something multiple times in a paragraph or within two paragraphs. So, don't litter your entire story with obscure, arcane words that no one understands or don't use in normal conversation or day to day.

Example: Angry is often an overused word. Using a thesaurus is helpful because you can use words like annoyed, enraged, furious, or even indignant. However, using a word like acrimonious or choleric is probably not the best idea, as it just doesn't come across as well as the other words, and most readers don't know what those words really mean.

And for goodness sake, don't use words that you're unsure of the definition. It's one thing to be completely ignorant and not know, but another to just type in a word on thesaurus and think "Yes!! Now this was the word I was looking! It's big and complex and makes me seem smart." Sometimes, the thesaurus will give you words that are similar but have other connotations to it, making the meaning the same, but still slightly different.

For example, I just typed the word "whisper" into Thesaurus.com. It came up with several very similar words. However, it also gave me "gasp." Gasping is not the same as whispering. Yes, both have a sort of "wind-like" sound, but usually when you whisper something, you're trying to be secretive and quiet. Gasping is more often used when a character is surprised and inhales sharply.

I do have a counterpoint to this tip though. Some writers have eloquent writing styles, as in, they write naturally with complex words. Often times, it take a bit more reading comprehension to understand each word they write. They are not in the wrong either. They have a style they like to write in, and that's perfectly okay. However, if you are that writer, you're going to have to accept the fact that many readers here on Wattpad aren't going to understand what you're saying, give you hate for writing so formally/professionally and with the skill level you have, and generally complain about how difficult it is to understand your writing. However, don't be put off by that. If you want to write that way, do it. There will be readers that will adore your writing style.

3. Don't Saturate your Story with Dialogue Tags

Dialogue tags are in reference to the way someone "Said" something. Tags included, but not limited to, are he/she said, asked, yelled, whispered, barked, snapped, shrieked, remarked, explained, etc.

Learn to show the reader who is talking based off of actions they are using.

I sometimes still over-saturate my stories with dialogue tags, so I'm in need of practicing on this too. However, I have come across so many stories that have "blah blah blah," she said. "blah blah blaaaaahh," he said seriously. "Blaha;ldjflk blllll," she snapped. "Whoopi blah blah," he grumbled.

And so on and on and on...and it gets tedious to keep reading over and over. Sure, don't be afraid to use "said" more than you think, because everyone seems to think "said" is such a bad word to use. But I think my point is made; learn to write with actions too.

Example: "Hey, do you mind passing me the salt?" Levi stretched out his hand with an impatient look on his face.

4. Your Space, Your Time

If you want to write, and write well, you really need a quiet and private place to do so. I understand that this may be very hard for some writers but I insist that you be adamant about it if you're serious about writing. I also highly suggest you write things down on paper or on a computer, and not write from your phone. Again, that might not always be possible and it might be more convenient for you, but on the whole, you can type faster on a computer keyboard. Furthermore, when you write by hand, you're mentally more connected to what you've written. (Backed by science, supposedly.)

They always say that you should write every day, no matter what it is. I know that isn't all that possible; I can't even write every day. I get too busy. I have a life. However, I do try to write in silence and as much as I can. I can't stand having people around me when I write. I hate when people hover around me while I write because it's invading my privacy.

So, if you can, I urge writers to find their own space, and private times, to write. It's in the best interest of you own creativity.

5. Know Your Audience

This is a fairly straight forward tip but sometimes, beginning writers let their stories become a mess of strange plot lines and their work runs off into too many directions. Know who you're writing for.

This means knowing what gender, what age bracket, and what culture/fiscal status. Obviously, a romantic reader insert with the subject being KPOP star G-Dragon more than likely is not going to attract a middle-aged male living out in the Midwest.

Having an audience in mind will help you as a writer keep whatever kind of writing you have focused and clear. That way you don't have to explain things all the time for people who may not understand the context.

Well, there will be more tips along the way in the book but here is just a handful. I hope they were somewhat helpful!