DAILY WRITING TIPS!

---

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

Write about something you care about so it affects you emotionally. If you are working on a scene where someone is feeling an emotion, you should be feeling it as well. If you aren't feeling the emotion, it may not come through in your work and your reader won't feel it either.    

Tip sent in from RWL...instead of turning your phone to vibrate, set up a pre-written reply via text message stating that you will return their call or text within an hour. Then just check your phone once an hour. You won't miss anything urgent and you will have 60 minutes at a time with no interruptions!    

Some people keep post-it notes at their desk to jot down quick ideas or specific phrases they don't want to forget. They can give your desk a bit of color, and are easily disposable when you finish the task!      

Resolutions are not just for New Years Eve! Don't forget to set writing goals for the new year! Do you want to publish a book? What is your timeline? Do you need to hold yourself accountable to writing a set number of hours each day? Each week?        

Be mindful of the tense you are using! If you story is written in past tense, the action words must stay past tense. This can be tricky sometimes, but if you switch to present tense, which is easy to do, it won't make sense in the story and the reader will notice! And possibly comment on it in their review!   

No head hopping! Make sure you maintain the same point of view throughout your novel! If you story is written through the main character's perspective, you can't hop into other the heads of other characters to explain their reasoning or what they are thinking... unless your Main Character can read minds!   

Tip sent in from Darren L... Make sure you eat and drink throughout the day. Working for hours straight with no breaks is not a good long term plan to stay healthy. At minimum, keep water on your desk.   

If it's the day AFTER a special day... get busy writing! Don't let yourself get out of your regular writing habit just because you missed one day!    

If it's a special day, spend that time with your family! Even if there is open time on a holiday, family members can be left feeling hurt if you disappear into your office for hours to write! Put the time in with them, then start back writing the next day! Family is everything!    

Keep a small dry-erase board on your desk. It's a great way to jot down notes, specific phrases or questions. Then you can easily erase it once you include it in your writing! It's also a great option for the environment!     

Clean up your desk area! Writing with clutter in your line of sight is the opposite of productive. Make your writing area a serene location where you can concentrate!    

Select only meaningful items for your desk. They should be items that inspire you without distracting you from important work... such as a special cup with pens in it.    

Put your phone on silent! This may sound obvious, but phones can be the biggest distraction you face. If you need to be available, a silent buzzing phone is much less jarring then one that suddenly chimes out, causing you to fly out of your chair.    

When you begin writing, don't be afraid to show your work to a trusted friend or family member. It helps to get feedback on your plot and characters as you write, instead of writing the entire story before anyone has a look at it.    

Remember that it is normal for writers to develop a love/hate relationship with their Work in Progress (WIP). On days when you are feeling pessimistic about your work, consider stepping away for the day and go back to it tomorrow. Often a break will provide a renewed perspective.  

Remember that it is normal for writers to develop a love/hate relationship with their Work in Progress (WIP). Some days they love it and can't wait to get it published. Other days, they hate it and feel like they are wasting their time. Experienced writers say to simply trust the process and finish it!    

Writing can be a very solitary experience and writers can feel isolated at times. Ask around to friends or family if they are writing a book (you'd be surprised at how many are) or if they know anyone who is writing a book. Even if the person is writing a different genre, it can help to interact with other writers to support each other during the many phases of writing.  

Writing can be a very solitary experience and writers can feel isolated at times. Be sure to spend time with others, even if its via social media. For example, Twitter has a writing community that is very supportive and encouraging.  

If you are having writer's block, some people suggest any type of exercise. Going for a walk. Hiking. Lifting weights. Push ups or sit ups. Any type of physical exercise that is medically safe for you may help - even if only for a few minutes. Might be worth a try!   

If you are having writer's block, some people suggest changing up your writing routine. Get up earlier to write, stay up later, or write at different times of the day than you usually would. Might be worth a try!   

The internet can be a tricky thing to write about, terms change frequently. The world wide web. The internet. The net. The interweb. Google. Be sure to do a search and check how internet-related terms are used!  Some are outdated. People confuse the difference between a web page and a website. Website is the actual site you are going to, web page is one page on that site.  

The internet can be a tricky thing to write about, terms change frequently. The world wide web. The internet. The net. The interweb. Google. Be sure to do a search and check how internet-related terms are used!  Some are outdated. Some are for humor purposes only. Some are trendy. For example, using "Google" as a verb did not start until 2006. So do not use the term "Google it" if your book's time period was before 2006.  

The internet can be a tricky thing to write about, terms change frequently. The world wide web. The internet. The net. The interweb. Google. Be sure to do a search and check how internet-related terms are used!  Some are outdated. Some are for humor purposes only. Some are trendy. For example, people don't use the word "interweb" seriously. It is used in a joking way or to be funny when talking about the internet.  

The internet can be a tricky thing to write about, terms change frequently. The world wide web. The internet. The net. The interweb. Google. Be sure to do a search and check how internet-related terms are used!  Some are outdated. Some are for humor purposes only. Some are trendy. For example, people don't say "world wide web" anymore... many websites don't even require you to write www at the front of the website address anymore.   

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

Always be mindful of what tense you are using and stay consistent. It will confuse the reader if you switch from past to present sporadically during the story. If you are writing in the past tense and really need your sentence to be in the present tense, have the character "think it" by writing in italics.   

Many editors suggest trying to replace specific words from your manuscript because they are overused. One of those problem words is: basically. This is a very commonly used word in our culture, and it's important to avoid overusing it. Often the word can be removed without changing the sentence at all. Other times, a more accurate word can be used in it's place. Check out these examples: The choices were basically vegetarian ... the choices were primarily vegetarian.The choices were basically vegetarian ... the choices were vegetarian. The choices were basically vegetarian ... the choices were essentially vegetarian.   

Many editors suggest trying to replace specific words from your manuscript because they are overused. One of those problem words is: actually. It is a useful word to emphasize something that has happened. However, you have to be careful not to overuse it. Often the word can be removed without changing the sentence at all. Other times, a more accurate word can be used in it's place. Check out these examples: I am actually happy ... I am happy.I am actually happy ... I am surprisingly happy. I am actually happy ... I am sincerely happy. 

Many editors suggest trying to replace specific words from your manuscript because they are unnecessarily overused. One of those problem words is: very. Often the word can be removed without changing the sentence at all. Other times, a more accurate word can be used in it's place. Check out these examples: I am very happy ... I am happy.I am very happy ... I am ecstatic. I am very happy ... I am extremely happy. 

Many editors suggest trying to replace specific words from your manuscript because they are unnecessarily overused. One of those problem words is: really. Often the word can be removed without changing the sentence at all. Other times, a more accurate word can be used in it's place. Check out these examples: I really wanted to be there ... I wanted to be there.I really mean it ... I sincerely mean it. I am really tired ... I am exhausted.  

Many editors suggest trying to replace specific words from your manuscript because they are unnecessarily overused. One of those problem words is: just. Often the word can be removed without changing the sentence at all. Other times, a more accurate word can be used in it's place. Check out these examples: I just want to see you ... I simply want to see you. He just wanted to say goodbye ... He only wanted to say goodbye.  I just told you I would be there ... I told you I would be there.     

When writing fictional dialogue, try not to use too many melodramatic dialogue tags in your sentences. This can come off as unrealistic and overdone, unless your story is intentionally using this type of hyperbole. Compare the two sentences: "Don't look at me like that!" she screeched.   "Don't look at me like that!" she ordered. Which one sounds more relatable? The second one. The first one seems overly dramatic and unrealistic. Say your dialogue lines aloud to hear how they sound. That will help avoid the melodrama and your conversation will be more believable.  

Try to avoid clichés when you write! This is more challenging than people think, as we use these idioms in our daily language. There's plenty of fish in the sea. It takes two to tango. The problem with clichés is they annoy people because they are overused, or people are confused by their meaning. Either way, the author loses. It is best to avoid using them when at all possible because it weakens writing.  

Most people know Microsoft Word has spell check and grammar features, but it also has a thesaurus feature as well. This tool can be extremely helpful when you have used the same word too many times, or are having trouble finding the right word. Simply go to the Review tab on the tool bar, and the Thesaurus tab is on the far left. 

Most people know Microsoft Word has a spell check feature, but it also has a grammar check feature as well. This tool will underline words that show incorrect use of grammar, or offer solutions if you are using too many modifiers, such as very or really. You can choose to ignore Word's suggestion or accept it.  

If you need a dash longer than a hyphen, where do you find the en-dash and em-dash? In Microsoft Word, go to 'Insert' on the tool bar, then click 'Symbol' on the far right end of the tool bar. Once you are in Symbols, go to 'Special Characters' and you will see the en-dash and em-dash there.   

The em-dash is the longest dash, after the hyphen and the en-dash. It is the length of the letter M and used in place of other punctuation, such as commas, semi-colons and parenthesis. Authors love to use them because they have a flare — they're the most obvious! 

The en-dash is slightly longer than a hyphen ... so when do you use it? You use an en-dash when you are connecting a range, such as dates, ages or numbers. It is the middle length dash in between hyphen and em-dash.    

People frequently confuse hyphens with dashes. The hyphen is the shortest line and meant to join two words or compound numbers. Then, there are two types of dashes; the en dash (the line is the length of the letter n) and the em dash (the length of the letter m).  

Hyphens are very confusing, and sometimes the best way to know if two words need a hyphen is to check with an online dictionary, such as the Merriam-Webster dictionary. There are other choices as well, which may have a different result. When writing a novel, some authors try to stick with the same dictionary throughout so their book for consistency.   

Hyphens are very confusing, but there are a few easy rules to follow when using them. Hyphen Rule #2: Use a hyphen when writing numbers 21-99. Simple! 

Hyphens are very confusing, but there are a few easy rules to follow when using them. Hyphen Rule #1: If you have a double adjective before a noun, such as "Rome is the original sun-kissed city," you use the hyphen. But you would not used it here: "It was as though the sun kissed this bright, vibrant city." 

When you have finished the manuscript of your novel, understand that there will be many, many more versions. You will be reading and changing your story several times, and you may even switch the order of chapters or remove some entirely! Don't be afraid to make drastic changes, even after your story is "complete." 

Do you want to share with your readers the inspiration behind your story or personal attachment to the subject? A preface is sometimes used as an introductory section of your book, which explains what inspired you to write the story, and any personal experiences associated with it. Some readers like to know when an author has personal insight/experience in a subject they write about.  

The rule of three is a common term in the literary world that says writing events or character traits three times is the ideal amount. If you want to show that a character is rude, show rude behavior three times throughout the story. The rule says more than three will be overkill, less than three won't solidify the trait enough. Some experts say when in doubt, use the rule of three.  

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

Sometimes writers want their readers to know more of the behind-the-scenes details of their book writing journey. If this is the case for you, a foreword might be on option. A foreword is a section at the beginning of a book, written by someone other than the author. It usually tells it's own story about the circumstances the book came about, including a specific experience the writer of the foreword had with the author.    

If you truly need a lot of information at the beginning of your story, and you want to avoid an information dump, then add a prologue. This is a relatively short section at the beginning of the book that sets up the story. It explains any large events leading up to the first chapter and includes basic details and facts. It is like a fancy information dump, but is clear and concise and only a few pages at the most. One example of a prologue is the white scrolling word summary at the beginning of Star Wars.   

If at all possible, writers must avoid information dumps, which is the process of dumping massive amounts of background information. This usually happens early in the story and can go on for several paragraphs or a few pages. The tricky part is that the information is necessary for the plot, but it is best to find a way to include it in small bits throughout the story so it doesn't exhaust or bore the reader.   

Some people consider adding an Afterword to the end of their story. This differs from the epilogue in that it is not about the story itself. It is typically written by someone other than the author, and it is about how the story came to be.  

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

When writing time in a book, use word form instead of number form, the way it would sound if a person was speaking versus reading. Otherwise, it comes across as too much detail and can throw off the reader. "He arrived at the meeting at 3:00 p.m." sounds too formal and specific. A better example would be: "He arrived at the meeting at three."   

Some people struggle with whether or not to include an Epilogue at the end of their story, which is a final section that ties up loose ends or tells the fates of the characters. It is strictly up to the author, but make sure the epilogue serves a purpose if you do use it. If your story is summarized well and feels final, it may not need one.  

Some writers struggle with what point to begin their story. They know an inciting incident will happen in the first quarter of the book, but they don't know where to begin before that. One theory is to start the book right before the inciting incident, leaving time for world building and to introduce your character and their life. Then change it all with the inciting incident. If you start too far in advance, readers may state your book started slow and should have moved along faster. 

It's great to describe the setting of the book, but remember to briefly mention the character's immediate surroundings throughout the story, usually after the identifiers (like he said and she said). This helps the reader place the character in the scene, and avoids "floating head syndrome," where characters have a conversation and there is nothing happening around them. For example: "We're leaving for the park in ten minutes," she said. Second example: "We're leaving for the park in ten minutes," she said, as she placed her backpack by the front door.  

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

The term "story beats" refers to the emotional shifts throughout a story. Some people outline their novel's beats to ensure their characters have clear emotional arcs throughout their novel. That gives them the opportunity to change or add content as necessary for the characters to have things to react to.   

When trying to decide if you should give your chapters individual titles or simply number them, turn to your favorite novels for inspiration. Consider whether you like the titles throughout those books, or if any made a difference to you at all. If you liked them, examine what you liked and use that approach to title the chapters in your own story!       

There isn't a hard rule about adding titles to your chapters; some people like it, others don't care. If you are creative and can add titles with intrigue that don't give away the plot of your chapters, go for it! If not, it is perfectly fine to simply number your chapters throughout the book.     

Sometimes as authors write their story, they realize their plot has holes in it that need to be filled. One way to accomplish this is to be as logical as possible when writing a sequence of events. For example ... if you need your character in the right place at the right time for the next series of events to unfold, the character needs a valid reason to be at that spot at that moment. If not, the readers may not believe it and have doubts about the story. 

Some people have a detailed outline of their story before they begin writing, others just start typing and the story unfolds as they go. Whichever type of author you are, it helps to at least have some basic plot points of the story to guide you. This will help keep your plot on track as you fill in the empty spots along the way.    

When do you introduce the inciting incident in a story? This is up to the author, but some people like to introduce it on page one to get the story rolling right away. Others like to show the character's regular life for a short time before everything is turned upside down. Readers are usually happy with either strategy, as long as the incident happens in Act 1.   

The inciting incident is one of the most important parts of your story. This is the point of the plot when your character's life or path suddenly changes, and they have to deal with the new reality. Make sure you have one and a solid plan for what the character will do when forging ahead with a different strategy.  

The very first sentence in a story is extremely important. It is recommended to include a feeling or idea of the characters, the mood, part of the plot, and a hook that will propel the reader to want to continue on to the second sentence, paragraph and chapter. It helps if the sentence leaves a question in the reader's mind, making them want to know more.   

Don't forget the importance of foreshadowing in your story. This is where you drop hints about something that could happen in the future. Readers do like to be surprised by plot twists, but can be left feeling confused if there were no hints whatsoever. Significant shifts in the plot or characters have to make sense or the reader won't believe them. Shocking events that come out of nowhere, with no previous clues, will feel more like literary whiplash without at least some foreshadowing.  

It is important to get as much feedback as you can from your beta readers. The problem is that they are not experts, so they may not know how to give that information. "It was great!" is not detailed enough. Make sure you ask specific questions to get the information that you need. Examples: Were there any parts of the story where you were confused? Did you have any lingering questions that weren't answered?   

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

Once you have finished the editing process of your book and your beta readers have provided their feedback, one final reader to consider is a proofreader. This is a last step quality check for grammar errors, typos, spelling and punctuation. Not everyone hires a proofreader, but others swear by them for their eagle eye attention to detail.  

 Where do you find beta readers? Most people ask friends or family to read their books in order to get feedback about the plot, characters, and any questions that may remain. If you want to increase your chances of an honest review, ask friends or family to find a beta reader that you don't know as well to read your book and give feedback.    

When self-publishing, you will need beta readers to read your manuscript before it is published. This type of reader is useful to get an idea of what the average reader will think of your story, the plot, the characters, etc. If they point out inaccuracies or have unanswered questions, you can still make adjustments as needed before publishing.  

When self-publishing, writers can hire a copy editor to review their manuscript for grammatical and punctuation errors, as well as an overview of the structure and flow of the story. This tends to happen toward the end of the editing process, once the developmental editor and line editor have completed their work.  

When self-publishing, writers usually hire a line editor after they finish the developmental editing process. In addition to other tasks, a line editor reviews the entire manuscript line by line, adjusting the wording so the novel has a smoother, more polished style of writing. 

When self-publishing, the first editor an author usually hires is a developmental editor, sometimes called a structural editor. This person is responsible for many things, including finding holes in your plot, errors in sequence and logic and can potentially change your manuscript drastically.   

When self-publishing, you will need to hire a variety of editors, who all have a different focus. Some people do more than one type of editing, but most do not. Some examples are: developmental editor, line editor, sensitivity reader/editor, copy editor, proofreader and beta reader.  

What should you include in a query letter to literary agents? This formal, professional letter should be extremely well-written and approximately 1-2 pages long at the most. This letter is your chance to introduce your book's storyline, and highlight the most exciting parts of the story in your attempt to interest the agent. You should also include a flattering author biography (interesting things about you!), including any credentials you have.    

What is a query letter? This is a formal letter that you submit to literary agents that states the summary of your story. The hope is that an agent will request your entire manuscript to review, then accept you as a client (if you agree and accept them and their contract.)    

If your goal is to publish traditionally, your first step after completing your manuscript is to reach out to literary agents. Once a literary agent accepts you on as a client -and if you agree to be represented by them- then that person will submit your work to publishing companies.      

If your goal is to publish traditionally, hiring editors is not usually recommended as publishing companies will not expect to read a polished manuscript.   

If you are self-publishing your novel, writing the manuscript is just the beginning of the process. Next you will need multiple editors to help you with your finished product to ensure it is ready to publish.   

Make sure each chapter of your book unfolds as a complete scene with a beginning, middle and end. It doesn't mean everything has to be resolved, but needs to be complete and worth the reader's time. 

Many people agree that each chapter in a novel should be around 2500 words as a general rule. Others argue that chapters can vary from 1000-5000 words, depending on the genre. Our opinion is that whatever your chapter length is, try to maintain that approximate average throughout the book. If your reader is used to your average chapter being 3000 words in length, then it suddenly drops to 300, then back up to 6000, it could throw off the flow of the book. Consistency with whatever you choose is best. 

Semicolons (;) are used to separate two independent clauses that are related to the same subject. My mom likes pie; my dad prefers cake.    

There is a current trend right now to overuse exclamation marks! Sometimes even one isn't enough... people use two!! Exclamation marks are meant to show a strong emotion... fury, surprise, etc. Use them sparingly, if at all, or it can make your writing seem overly dramatic.    

Try not to overuse capitalizations! Many people overuse capitals and then pay an editor lots of money to fix them. Unless it's a name or the beginning of a sentence, double check (i.e. google) if it really needs to be capitalized.   

When writing symbols, such as °, $ and %, spell them out so the readers’ eyes easily flow over them. Twelve degrees, Two dollars, twenty percent. One exception is when it's a large dollar amount.  

This tip came in from Cora T... When writing numbers in your story, spell out numbers zero through one hundred. For numbers larger than that, you can use the numeral form. 

Be sure to write in small paragraphs of only 4-5 sentences at the most. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing to see plenty of breaks on the page, it can mentally tire out readers  to wade through a dense paragraph that feels unending. Shorter paragraphs also give the reader a mental break to process what they just read before moving on to the next few lines.  

When checking grammar and spelling, remember that some words can have a hyphen or not, depending on how they are used. Always check hyphenated words to be sure. For example: My teacher is well intentioned. (Noun does not follow adjective.)  My well-intentioned teacher gave us extra credit homework. (Noun follows adjective.)  

Many words that used to have hyphens don't have them anymore. During your grammatical editing process, double check each hyphenated word to be sure. Some examples of words that tend to be written without hyphens now: weekend, mini fridge, comeback. 

If you feel stuck in your story, make an outline. Sometimes the plot can begin to get lost as you along. If you can make an outline of your major plot points and add the beats of your story as you go, that will help you fill in the rest.   

One current trend is to write more short sentences than long, eloquent ones. Too many long sentences with multiple commas can tire out the reader as they fight to get to the end of each phrase. Make sure you use both types, but aim to use short ones whenever possible.    

One current trend is to write more short sentences than long, eloquent ones. Too many long sentences with multiple commas can tire out the reader as they fight to get to the end of each phrase. Make sure you use both types, but aim to use short ones whenever possible.    

Sometimes a book is too short and you need to increase your word count. Look for places in the story where you have made a statement, and add a scene where you can show your readers instead of telling them. One example, if the character doesn't get along with her parents, instead of just stating that fact, write out a few scenes showing their arguments (dialogue/location/event).  

While you are writing your manuscript, pay close attention to any meaningful phrases or themes as you write. At some point you will have to choose a name for your book, and sometimes the name will simply come to you by the end.    

If your book is too long and you need to decrease your word count, look for areas where you see long paragraphs and try to thin them out. Use only the details needed to get the point across. Extra sentences every few pages can add up to thousands of words!  

Dialogue tags are not always needed on every line of a conversation. Try to word your statements and responses in a way that the reader can tell who is speaking without writing he said and she said at the end of every line. 

Dialogue tags are the small phrases used around the sentences when characters are talking. They show who is speaking and in what manner. Be sure to use a variety of these tags to give the reader a feeling of the mood, as well gives a needed pause in between or around statements."Don't forget your coat," Julie whispered. I don't need another mom, Todd thought to himself.   

IF YOU HAVE ANY DAILY TIP SUGGESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US THROUGH OUR CHAT MODERATOR- LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCREEN! 

If your readers are having trouble connecting with your characters, add more dialogue/conversation where connections are made. Sometimes too much summarizing  can distance the reader from the characters and story in general.     

Your scene has too much dialogue if the chapter feels slow and drug out. That means you need to thin the characters' conversation and be sure every word pushes the plot forward.  

A recent trend shows current readers prefer to read short paragraphs and short sentences.  If you have a paragraph with five or more sentences, try to consolidate to make four sentences or less. Usually you can get your point across just as effectively with less words. 

It's important to learn how to use correct punctuation for writing dialogue. Editing and correcting the dialogue through an entire novel at the end will take hours and hours of time, or thousands of dollars to pay your copy editor. Take the time to learn the rules early. Commas and periods go inside the closing quotations.  Example: "I have a few questions about that," he stated.   

When you are on a roll with writing, such as creating the details of a scene or dialogue in a conversation, don't worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation. Simply get the words out as quickly as possible, the way you envision them in your mind. You can edit the pages once you finish the scene! The content is the most important part of creating a story.   

When writing your story, make a conscious effort to show, not tell. Don't say your character is tired... write that she is yawning. Don't say your character is studious, include a scene where he won't take a break from studying.  

When having writer's block, some people have found luck by changing their font! Thriller writers sometimes try out the creepier fonts, just long enough to get more thoughts going. Romance writers change over to a flowery, feminine font temporarily. Once the writing begins to flow, they switch back to the font that is easiest for them to read!      

A common rule is to try to write between 500-2000 words a day when working on a novel. To give an idea of how long that is, one 8.5 x 11 inch page is about 230 words.    

When you decide to write about a topic, take time to research and read about it, even if you are already familiar with the subject. It's important to know your content from all perspectives so you have a deep understanding before you explain it in a novel.   

The most common adverb people overuse is just. In most cases, when you remove it, the sentence meaning doesn't change at all! So do a Find search on your novel and see how many times you used the word just, then take most of them out! Example: He just wanted to get a drink. He wanted to get a drink.  

One way to immediately improve your writing is to avoid using modifiers, such as really and very. Modifiers usually don't improve your story, and won't affect the sentence when they are removed. He isn't really tired, he's exhausted! They aren't very mad, they're livid!    

It's worth your time to learn the grammar rules for using correct punctuation with dialogue. Once you understand how to use commas, quotation marks and punctuation properly, it will be second nature. This knowledge will save you from spending untold amounts of time redoing it, or untold amounts of money paying an editor to redo it for you.  

New writers tend to overuse capital letters to emphasize important words. There is also a misconception that directions (north, south) or seasons (summer, spring) need to be capitalized as well. Aside from the first word of a sentence, only proper nouns need to be capitalized... such as names, places or things. For instance, you would capitalize South America, but not the word south when it's by itself.    

Consider joining a writing group. You can find them on social media, author websites, or even your local library! Having other writer friends can be motivating and uplifting!     

If you are lacking the motivation to sit down and write every day, set a timer for ten minutes and start there. Once you get used to a routine, the inspiration to write will come easier!   

Learn the meaning of unique words, just to know them. You don't necessarily need to fit them into your story, but you will be more well rounded and understand them when you read them. Example: behest  / bi-ˈhest  /  Meaning: a person's orders or commands At the behest of her drama teacher, she agreed to try out for the school play.   

Remember to check the recommended number of words for your genre of book! Each genre has a different suggested word count, and you should try not too go too far over or under that number.  

Editing scenes can be mentally taxing. If possible, take breaks in between chapters so you can start again with a fresh mindset. Even a five minute walk around the house will make a difference. 

Tip sent in from RWL... An outline can be a useful tool when planning your novel. It’s an easy way to see your plot points in order, and can alert you to gaps that need exciting events to move the story forward.   

Read out loud slowly to yourself when reviewing a scene. You will hear it, see it and imagine it at the same time. This will help you catch typos as well as developmental missteps or issues with continuity.   

Learn the meaning of unique words, just to know them. You don't necessarily need to fit them into your story, but you will be more well rounded and understand them when you read them. Example: albeit   / alˈbēit /  Meaning: even though or although It was a great story, albeit short, but still a fun read.    

The first sentence of your book is extremely important. It is not only the beginning of your story, but your chance to lure in your reader. It is important that they want to know more!   

When you start developing your story, select a a few major plot points along the way... at least a beginning, middle and end. You don't necessarily need a set timeline, but you need some type of story format before you begin writing. If you don't have an end in mind, you might end up with a story that goes on and on, but leads to nowhere!   

Don't 'thesaurus' yourself to death when writing your story! It is natural to want to change up your wording and vocabulary, but make sure the words you use make sense. Your readers won't enjoy what they don't understand.   

Learn the meaning of unique words, just to know them. You don't necessarily need to fit them into your story, but you will be more well rounded and understand them when you read them. Example: apropos   / aprəˈpō /   Meaning: In regards toApropos of your desire to write better, it is helpful to read these daily tips!