Writing Magic

1. Writing is a Skill Best Honed Through Practice

The best way to write better is to write more.

Practice makes progress. Like any skill, writing improves with consistent effort. The more you write, the more comfortable and proficient you become. This isn't about achieving perfection, but about developing fluency and confidence in your craft.

• Regular writing exercises, even short ones, are more effective than infrequent, long sessions.
• Don't be afraid to write badly; the goal is to get words on the page, not to create masterpieces every time.
• Think of writing as a muscle that needs regular workouts to grow stronger.

Quantity over quality. In the initial stages, focus on writing as much as possible rather than worrying about the quality of your work. The more you write, the more you'll learn about your own style and process. This approach allows you to experiment and discover what works best for you.

• Set aside dedicated time for writing, even if it's just for a few minutes each day.
• Don't get bogged down in editing while you're writing; save that for later.
• Embrace the process of writing as a journey of discovery, not a destination.

Reading as a teacher. Reading is an essential part of becoming a better writer. By reading widely and deeply, you expose yourself to different styles, techniques, and perspectives. This helps you develop your own voice and learn how to craft compelling stories.

• Pay attention to how authors use language, structure, and character development.
• Reread books you love to understand how they work on a deeper level.
• Let the words of other writers inspire and inform your own work.

2. Silence the Inner Critic to Unleash Creativity

You can tell that grumbling, griping chatter to shut up! It’s not an authority.

The inner critic's origins. The negative voice in your head that tells you your work is bad is often a result of past criticisms and self-doubt. This voice can stifle your creativity and prevent you from taking risks. It's important to recognize that this critic is not an authority and doesn't represent your true potential.

• The inner critic often stems from external criticisms that we internalize.
• It feeds on self-doubt and fear of failure.
• It's important to recognize that this voice is not an accurate reflection of your abilities.

Shutting down the chatter. You have the power to silence your inner critic. When you hear that negative voice, tell it to be quiet and let you finish your work. You can acknowledge its presence but refuse to let it control your creative process.

• Tell the inner critic to wait until you're finished before offering its opinion.
• Focus on the joy of creating rather than the fear of judgment.
• Remember that every creative person faces self-doubt; it's part of the process.

Embrace imperfection. Perfection is an illusion, and striving for it can be paralyzing. Instead, embrace the imperfections in your work and see them as opportunities for growth. The goal is to express yourself authentically, not to create something flawless.

• Every piece of writing has flaws; it's part of the human experience.
• Don't let the fear of imperfection prevent you from creating.
• Focus on the process of writing and the joy of self-expression.

3. Ideas Arise from Observation and Repetition

Relaxation, repetition, and rhythm let the mind fly free.

Ideas from everyday life. Ideas for stories can come from anywhere: your experiences, books, movies, dreams, conversations, and even school assignments. The key is to be open to inspiration and to pay attention to the world around you.

• Keep a notebook or journal to jot down ideas as they come to you.
• Be curious and ask "what if" questions about the things you observe.
• Don't dismiss any idea as too silly or too strange; it might be the seed of a great story.

The power of repetition. Repetitive tasks, like showering or peeling potatoes, can free your mind to wander and generate new ideas. The rhythm of these activities can create a space for your subconscious to work.

• Engage in activities that allow your mind to relax and drift.
• Don't try to force ideas; let them come to you naturally.
• Be patient and trust that your mind will eventually come up with something.

Free writing as a tool. If you're struggling to come up with ideas, try free writing. Just start writing whatever comes to mind, without worrying about grammar or structure. This can help you unlock your creativity and discover new possibilities.

• Write about anything that comes to mind, even if it seems silly or irrelevant.
• Don't censor yourself; let your thoughts flow freely.
• Trust that your mind will eventually lead you to something interesting.

4. Beginnings are for the Writer, Endings for the Story

When you start writing a story, all the beginning needs to do is get you into the story—only you and nobody else.

Beginnings as a starting point. The beginning of your story is primarily for you, the writer. It's a way to get yourself into the story and to start exploring your characters and their world. Don't worry about making it perfect; you can always revise it later.

• Don't get bogged down in trying to write the perfect opening; just start writing.
• It's okay if your beginning changes as you develop your story.
• The most important thing is to get yourself engaged in the writing process.

Skip if necessary. If you're struggling with the beginning, skip it and start with a scene that excites you. You can always go back and write the beginning later. The key is to keep writing and to follow your instincts.

• Start with the part of the story that you're most excited about.
• Don't feel obligated to write the beginning first; you can always come back to it.
• The most important thing is to keep the momentum going.

Endings as resolutions. The ending of your story should resolve the central conflict and provide a sense of closure. It should be a natural outgrowth of the events that have taken place and should leave the reader feeling satisfied.

• The ending should be a logical conclusion to the story's events.
• It should provide a sense of resolution, even if it's not a happy ending.
• The ending should leave the reader with a lasting impression.

5. Sensory Details Bring Stories to Life

When you tell readers what your characters are hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and seeing, then your readers will experience it all, too, and they’ll be drawn into your story.

Engage the senses. Sensory details are essential for creating a vivid and immersive reading experience. By describing what your characters see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, you allow your readers to feel like they're right there in the story.

• Use specific and evocative language to describe sensory experiences.
• Don't just say that something is beautiful; describe what makes it beautiful.
• Pay attention to the small details that can bring a scene to life.

Sensory details and memory. Sensory details can also evoke powerful memories and emotions in your readers. A particular smell, for example, can transport them back to a specific time and place.

• Use sensory details to create a sense of nostalgia or familiarity.
• Connect sensory experiences to the emotional state of your characters.
• Use sensory details to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

Sensory details and character. Sensory details can also reveal a lot about your characters. The way they react to different sensory experiences can tell you about their personality, their background, and their emotional state.

• Use sensory details to show how your characters perceive the world.
• Pay attention to the details that your characters notice and ignore.
• Use sensory details to create a sense of individuality and depth.

6. Character Drives Plot, Not the Other Way Around

A story’s plot is mostly determined by character.

Character as the engine. The plot of your story should be driven by the actions and decisions of your characters. Their motivations, flaws, and desires should shape the events that unfold.

• Don't force your characters to act in ways that don't make sense for them.
• Let your characters' personalities and goals guide the direction of the story.
• The plot should be a natural consequence of your characters' choices.

Character questionnaires. A character questionnaire can be a useful tool for developing your characters. By answering questions about their background, personality, and motivations, you can gain a deeper understanding of who they are.

• Use the questionnaire to explore your characters' strengths, weaknesses, and fears.
• Don't be afraid to change your characters as you learn more about them.
• The questionnaire is a tool to help you understand your characters, not a rigid set of rules.

Character change. Your characters should change and grow as a result of the events in your story. They should learn from their mistakes, overcome their fears, and develop new perspectives.

• The events of the story should have a lasting impact on your characters.
• Your characters should not be the same at the end of the story as they were at the beginning.
• Character change is a sign of a well-developed and compelling story.

7. Suffering Creates Sympathy and Engagement

So be cruel. Make your hero suffer!

The power of suffering. Readers are more likely to care about your characters if they see them struggle and suffer. By putting your characters through difficult situations, you create a sense of empathy and engagement.

• Don't be afraid to make your characters face challenges and setbacks.
• The more your characters suffer, the more your readers will root for them.
• Suffering can be a powerful tool for creating emotional depth and resonance.

Sympathetic characters. Your main character doesn't have to be perfect to be sympathetic. In fact, flaws and vulnerabilities can make them more relatable and engaging. The key is to make them mean well, even if they make mistakes.

• Give your characters flaws and weaknesses that make them human.
• Make sure your characters have good intentions, even if they don't always succeed.
• Vulnerability is key to creating a sympathetic and relatable character.

Never solve all problems. Your hero should never solve all their problems at any point in your story before the end. They can solve one problem, but another one must still be looming. This keeps the reader engaged and invested in the outcome.

• Don't let your characters get out of trouble too easily.
• Always have another challenge waiting for them around the corner.
• The goal is to keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

8. Dialogue Should Mimic Natural Speech

Short bursts of speech seem natural to the reader.

Short and natural. Dialogue should sound like real people talking. Avoid long, formal speeches and use short, natural sentences. Break up long speeches with interruptions, gestures, and thoughts.

• Use contractions and colloquialisms to make your dialogue sound more natural.
• Avoid long, formal sentences that sound unnatural.
• Break up long speeches with interruptions, gestures, and thoughts.

White space on the page. Dialogue should create white space on the page, making it easier for the reader to follow. Start a new paragraph whenever a new character speaks or when a character does something.

• Use short paragraphs to make your dialogue more visually appealing.
• Start a new paragraph whenever a new character speaks.
• Use white space to create a sense of rhythm and pacing.

Avoid unnatural language. Avoid using overly formal or complex language in your dialogue. Your characters should speak in a way that is consistent with their personality and background.

• Use language that is appropriate for your characters' age, background, and personality.
• Avoid using words that your characters would not naturally use.
• The goal is to make your dialogue sound authentic and believable.

9. Point of View Shapes the Reader's Experience

When you read a story or a book, you see the events through someone else’s eyes, hear them through someone else’s ears.

Third-person omniscient. In third-person omniscient POV, the narrator knows everything about all the characters and can enter their minds at any time. This POV is powerful but can feel detached.

• The narrator can reveal the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.
• The narrator can show the reader what's happening everywhere.
• This POV can feel detached and less intimate.

Third-person limited. In third-person limited POV, the narrator focuses on one character and reveals only that character's thoughts and experiences. This POV is more intimate and allows the reader to connect with the character on a deeper level.

• The narrator reveals only the thoughts and feelings of one character.
• The reader knows only what the POV character knows.
• This POV is more intimate and allows for greater emotional connection.

First-person. In first-person POV, the narrator is a character in the story and uses "I" or "me." This POV is the most intimate and allows the reader to experience the story directly through the character's eyes.

• The narrator is a character in the story and uses "I" or "me."
• The reader knows only what the POV character knows.
• This POV is the most intimate and allows for the greatest emotional connection.

10. Voice is the Unique Fingerprint of a Writer

Voice is everywhere. Voice is everything.

Unique style. Every writer has a unique voice, a characteristic way of writing that sets them apart. This voice is a combination of their word choices, sentence structure, tone, and perspective.

• Your voice is a reflection of your personality and experiences.
• It's what makes your writing unique and recognizable.
• It's important to develop your own voice rather than trying to imitate others.

Finding your voice. To find your voice, pay attention to the way you write. Look for patterns in your word choices, sentence structure, and tone. Experiment with different styles and techniques to see what feels most natural to you.

• Read your own writing and look for patterns and tendencies.
• Experiment with different styles and techniques to see what works best for you.
• Don't be afraid to be yourself and let your personality shine through.

Voice and POV. Your voice can change depending on the point of view you're using. A first-person narrator will have a different voice than a third-person omniscient narrator.

• Be aware of how your voice changes depending on the POV.
• Use different voices to create different effects.
• The goal is to create a voice that is appropriate for your story and your characters.

11. Revision is Essential for Growth

Revising is my favorite part of writing.

Revision as improvement. Revision is not about fixing mistakes; it's about making your story better. It's an opportunity to refine your characters, strengthen your plot, and polish your language.

• Revision is a crucial part of the writing process.
• It's an opportunity to make your story stronger and more compelling.
• Don't be afraid to make big changes to your story during revision.

Cutting and adding. Revision often involves cutting unnecessary words, sentences, and even entire scenes. It also involves adding new material to fill in gaps and strengthen the story.

• Be willing to cut parts of your story that don't work.
• Don't be afraid to add new material to improve your story.
• The goal is to make your story as strong and effective as possible.

Distance and objectivity. After finishing a draft, put it aside for a while before revising. This will give you some distance and allow you to see your work with fresh eyes.

• Don't revise your work immediately after finishing it.
• Give yourself some time to gain perspective.
• The goal is to be as objective as possible when revising.

12. Writing is a Journey of Self-Discovery

When I write, I make discoveries about my feelings.

Writing as exploration. Writing is not just about telling stories; it's also about exploring your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It's a way to understand yourself and the world around you.

• Writing can help you process your emotions and make sense of your experiences.
• It can be a way to explore your identity and your place in the world.
• It can be a journey of self-discovery that leads to greater understanding and growth.

Writing for yourself. Sometimes, the best writing is the writing you do for yourself, the writing that you'll never share with anyone. This kind of writing can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth.

• Don't be afraid to write about your own experiences and feelings.
• Writing for yourself can be a way to process your emotions and gain clarity.
• It can be a source of comfort, solace, and joy.

Writing as a lifelong journey. Writing is a skill that you can continue to develop and refine throughout your life. There's always more to learn, and the journey of writing is just as important as the destination.

• Embrace the challenges and setbacks that come with writing.
• Be patient and persistent in your pursuit of improvement.
• The goal is to enjoy the process of writing and to continue to grow as a writer.

Last updated: January 26, 2025