- Taylor Louise
- Feb 12
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Writing Tip #010 - Add Character Desire
Make sure each of your characters, especially main characters, want something. Desire leads to character action. It also creates drama in your plot as your character is driven to get whatever it is that they desire. Even if a character is super powerful, hilarious, or attractive, if they don't want anything then the audience won't know how to root for them.
Writing Tip #009 - Conceal Information
The key to keeping audiences engaged in your story is keeping information from them. Think of writing a story as creating several small mysteries. Find a balance between telling the reader everything at once and keeping them in the dark completely. Use clues and foreshadowing to leave a breadcrumb trail of your story's biggest secrets. Let the reader in on more and more information as your story goes on.
Writing Tip #008 - Skip Ahead
If you have writers block, skip to the part of your project that you're most inspired to write. Don't feel pressured to start at the beginning. Jump ahead to a dialogue scene that you're excited to write or an action scene that feels dynamic in your mind. You can put things back in order later. This will help you gain progress in your project.
Writing Tip #007 - Find a Beta Reader
Enlist the help of a beta reader. A beta reader is someone who reads the prototype version of a written project before it is released. Beta readers help the author by marking areas of improvement in a work.
For my first novel, I chose a group of friends and loved ones whose feedback I trusted. Chapter by chapter they read the unreleased version of my novel and offered their perspective, often suggesting improvements. My book would not be as polished as it is without the help of my beta reading team. Thank you all!
If you're looking for beta reading services, then look no further. I offer beta reading services $75 per 3,500 words or roughly 15 pages. I'm happy to read over your work and give feedback in the form of written notes.
Writing Tip #006 - Speak Your Dialogue
To make your dialogue sound more natural try saying it aloud after writing it. The way people speak to each other is often less flowery and less eloquent than the way certain dialogue is written. You may be inspired to cut down your dialogue or remove it entirely if, when saying it aloud, it doesn't sound as natural.
Writing Tip #005 - Read Old Work
Read your old work, especially when you have writers block. Something I do to encourage myself during a dry period of writing is I read my old material. This is usually stuff that I've edited and maybe even published so I know it's of a caliber that I'm proud of. Reading my old work helps me to remember who I am, especially during times when I feel lost and discouraged as a writer. On the barest of days I'll even count the reading and editing of my old work as my writing for the day. It's better than nothing and it gives me a way forward.✨
Writing Tip #004 - Use FadeIn
Use FadeIn for writing scripts. FadeIn is a professional screenplay writing software that can be used for free. If you struggle with the formatting of screenwriting, FadeIn is a helpful resource that has screenplay formatting built into the software. It will save you so much time. You can download it and use it for free, though for projects ten pages or above, you'll get a pop up message every few minutes asking if you want to buy the pro version. You can always say "no thanks" and continue using it for free. Furthermore, on the free version, it'll include a watermark in the heading, This is something you can easily block out before printing the document.
Writing Tip #003 - Tips to Restart a Writing Routine
If you're returning to writing after some time away, here are some tips to get some good words on the page.
Curate your space --> put on lo-fi beats, light a candle, or use a favorite pen
Set a timer --> keep your mind from wandering and keep yourself focused for a few minutes at a time
Start with a stream of consciousness or brain dump --> takes the pressure off and gives you the clarity to write whatever comes to mind
Writing Tip #002 - Read Similar Content
When working on a particular project - like a novel - it's always a good idea to read content that's similar to what you're writing. This isn't for you to bite the writing style or ideas of a different author but it allows you to further research the genre you're writing in. It allows you to get a glimpse into what readers are expecting when they pick up novels of that genre. This way you can go with or completely subvert expectation.
I'm writing a Queer love story and so I've been reading tons of Queer romance novels (TJ Klune's House on the Cerulean Sea, Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles, and Everina Maxwell's Winter's Orbit to name a few). This research clues me into the wide breadth of what's out there. It also helps me to have a more singular and unique voice, standing out within the genre.✨
Writing Tip #001 - Write By Hand
Write by hand. Studies have shown that your brain is more involved in the processing, prioritizing, and consolidating of ideas when you write by hand. This study was in reference to class note-taking, but the findings relate to regular writing as well. Your brain is activated in a different, more profound way when you write by hand. Also, there is no room to "backspace" when writing by hand, which urges you forward and helps you get more words on the page when you're writing a first draft. Personally, I wrote and edited my college essays on my laptop so I correlate laptop writing with editing. I find writing by hand to be more organic. I make myself write neater so that I can later type it all up and edit it.
If you want to challenge yourself and have a screen-less writing session, pull out a nice pen and a crisp sheet of notebook paper and try your hand at writing a first draft. You can always edit it later.✨
