By Carol Lynch Williams
Over the years, I've come up with tips to become a better writer. Some of these took me years to figure out. There are lots of things you can do to make your stories stronger and it doesn't take that much effort.
Better Writers:
Learn to write.
You might have a fantastic idea but if you don't know how to write, you're not going to get the attention you could. So learn the craft. Lots of today’s suggestions can help you improve as a writer.
Come to conferences where professionals speak.
Listen to what they say and use their advice to help you become an expert. Our 26th annual conference is coming June 16 - 20, 2025 in Draper, Utah. Registration opens January 1. So save the date so you can pick the class that best suits your writing.
For me, emotion is the most important part of a novel.
It goes back to writing what you know. If you understand a specific event then you can put the emotion of that event on the page. What is it like to lose someone you love? What is it like to break up with someone you thought you would be with forever? What is it like to laugh so hard you can't breathe? What is it like to be mortified? We’ve all felt these things.
As a writer you do all the work that a camera in a film does. You capture dialogue, place, and emotion. Always ask yourself, “What does this character feel?”
This means you have to mine the emotion they experience, not be a surface level writer. Instead, dive into the heart of the event, into the heart of the character. When you do, you connect with the reader.
Make Your Words Work.
Every word needs to drive toward the climax of the novel. Anything that is extra, filled with fluff, or is an aside, etc. etc.? It’s time to get rid of it. Structurally, you want to get in, get out, and get it over with.
Spend your words like money. My mom was a writer. She never published a novel, but she wrote like crazy. Often, in her classroom, she would tell her creative writing students to spend their words like money. Imagine you're paying five dollars for every word you put on the page. If you're writing a 40,000 word novel, that means you would pay $200,000 to write the book. Save "money," and your story, by cutting the extra words.
Ask yourself questions as you write.
Why is this happening?
Why is my character doing this?
Why is this story headed in this direction?
Why am I the best person to write this book?
Ask:
Why do I want to be a writer?
How important is this to me?
What matters most to me when I write?
Keep asking yourself questions through the whole novel.
What does my character want?
What does she want more than anything?
What will she do if?
What is the hardest thing for her to lose?
Make time for what you love.
I've renewed an old habit: writing first thing in the morning. For the last 20 days of November I've written everyday.
I'm challenging Scott, and I'm only seven thousand days behind him ;)
Give yourself the gift of writing. We are worth this gift, doing what we love.
Let us know if these tips have helped you. Or share tips of your own.
Also join us for the free online event January 8th, 2025, for the WIFYR January Kick-off.
Carol Lynch Williams is the author of more than 30 books for young readers including Waiting, Messenger, and The Chosen One. She's been working with Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers since its inception. She teaches creative writing at a local university and is a mentor. The best part life are her five daughters and her incredible Baby Bubs.
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