It’s hard to be creative. Even though it is difficult to create an original idea, it is even more difficult to make sure that the reader will be entertained and engaged. Many people believe they lack the creativity to become a writer. Many people believe that writing is a talent only possessed by certain people. This is not true. If you learn to use your creativity and follow practical writing tips, anyone can become a great author.
Our creative writing summer school gives students 1:1 tutorials from creative writing experts to help them discover their inner potential.
This guide will provide you with practical tips on how to write more effectively and creatively.
Tip 1. Tip 1. Hook readers with your character’s “why” at the very beginning
Great stories aren’t wild inventions. They follow a formula that is proven to work. Did you ever notice that the motivations and dilemmas of main characters in record-breaking stories are often revealed within the first few moments?
- Simba has been declared to be the next King of Pride Rock. There is still one person who will not bow down to this recognition. Will Simba be able to take his rightful position in the Circle of Life?
- In the Bennet family, Mr Bingley is welcomed. He is a young, single man of good fortune. Will the Bennet sisters be able to convince him to marry them, saving them from poverty?
- The “Tesseract” is a powerful rock that threatens the human race. Are there any heroes strong enough to save it?
- Elsa accidentally hits Anna using her frozen power. She must hide forever to protect those she loves.
- The Earth is dying because of overpopulation and dwindling natural resources. Jake Sully replaces his brother on a mission to steal a promising source of energy from another planet. Will Jake let the genocide against an innocent native race save his world?
Your readers will lose interest if they are confused and wonder why I am reading this. They may be intrigued, but they will not form an emotional attachment to your main character because they do not understand the reason why they should.
If you make your characters’ motivations clear and relatable, your readers will want to follow them through their ups and downs.
Tip 2. If you haven’t already, get into the habit of reading.
You need to read and write constantly. To improve your writing skills, you should also keep reading. Reading can help you:
- Learn how to read different stories written by different authors.
- Learn how to use new words in sentences.
- Familiarize yourself with sentence structure, grammar rules and punctuation.
- Consider different ways to begin and end your story.
- Understanding what works in a story and what does not.
Good readers are also creative writers. Goodreads is a great way to keep track of progress.
Tip 3: Use good stories to imitate best practices! Tip 3.
You’ve read a book. You won’t forget it after you finish it. You ruminate on it for days and weeks after.
What is the secret sauce to success?
You can only find out by dissecting it. Answer these questions to create your inspiration board.
- What is your favourite character? What are the main points of character development?
- What are your top 10 favourite sentences/lines? Why did you like them? Why are they different?
- Write down your three favourite scenes. What was their contribution to the storyline? Why is this your favourite?
- What metaphors and similes did you find most effective in the dialogue?
- What is your favourite side character? What are their human characteristics? What was their method of revealing it?
- What were your favourite chapters? What was the structure?
- Notice a similar formula at the beginning and ending of each chapter. Do they flow seamlessly from one chapter to the next?
- What are the first and the last sentences of the whole story? It helped to hook the reader and deliver a lasting impact. If so, in what way?
You will be able to detect subtle patterns, formulas and combinations that bring characters and stories to life the more you answer the questions. This will be your very own completely original set of creative writing tips. Browse the top UK creative writing universities if you want to expand your knowledge.
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Tip No. 4. What would you do if you were to rewrite a bad story?
You’ve given up on a novel. You are frustrated that the character isn’t as well developed as you would like, or the ending is too illogical for you to understand.
Feel like you wasted a number of hours by reading mediocre stories? You don’t need to waste your reading time! Why? Learn from the mistakes of others.
It’s better to read bad books than learn the hard way by making your errors. That’s how we included them in our list of tips for creative writing! You can use these guided questions to help you with this task.
- What would you do if you had the chance to rewrite an entire scene, character or story?
- What details would you have added if you had the chance?
- Are you of the opinion that there are too many characters or subplots in this story? What would you have done to reduce the storyline so that it focused on the most important plot points?
- The author tried to cram in too much info at once without properly pacing the story. What would you do differently to improve the flow of the story?
- Do you think the story is too predictable or even unbelievable to you? How would you have made the story more interesting and credible?
Tip 5. Tip 5.
We enjoy reading stories because we feel empathy for the characters. We can relate to the characters and their struggles and joys.
Write your characters so that they are relatable. Make your readers want to root for them.
Your characters can be animals, objects or aliens. It’s the humanity in their hearts that matters. Here are some attributes that make characters relatable:
- They are believable in their flaws and strengths.
- As the story develops, your characters should grow and evolve (e.g. they must overcome their weaknesses or make amends for their mistakes).
- Are they able to express human emotions? Are they able to express human emotions (e.g.
- Give your character goals and motivations that are realistic. You must have a compelling reason for them to risk their life.
- Make sure the character’s interactions with the world are realistic and consistent. Do not make them walk for long distances if they don’t show signs of fatigue, thirst, etc. If they are able to overcome such weaknesses.
- Even if you do not share the backstory with your audience, each of your characters should have one. Your characters will come to life without you!
You can use our 308 writing prompts to start a project if these tips inspire you.
Tip 6. Tip 6.
Even the most creative writers in the world do not publish their first draft. Remove the fear of the empty page.
Acts as if the first draft was the final version for publication, even though everyone knows it’s not. This paralyzes us because we want it to be perfect.
First, you need to write your story on paper or computer. Later, you can correct all errors. Let the words flow without worrying about grammar or spelling.
You can always return to it later, during the editing stage. Keep writing and allow your story to unfold in your imagination.
Tip 7: What if you have an incomplete idea? Even if you have an incomplete idea, write it down!
You can get a great story from an article that you read in the morning. You can also use a writing prompt to stimulate your imagination. Always keep a notebook or an app handy.
Note down any ideas that come to your mind. No matter if it’s good or bad, write down the idea. It’s not the best time to judge. It doesn’t matter! It’s always possible to revise your work. You can always add it later.
Inspiration can strike at any time, and you may be able to complete your story.
Tip 8: Identify Your Purpose Tip 8.
What is the message you are trying to convey? After reading your story, readers want to take away something. If you wish to promote a cause or raise awareness of a social problem, then your story must have a goal.
It doesn’t have to be obvious. The message could be subtle and woven into the story.
A story that lacks a clear message is hollow. You might feel flat when you write it because it lacks personal conviction. Self-reflection, therefore, is essential when writing creatively. This tip is different from our other tips because it can be used outside of the writing space.
Tip 9. Decide Your Audience
It is important to think about your audience as you write. This will allow you to determine:
- Your story’s tone
- Include as much detail as possible
- What type of language should you use?
- What to include (and what not to)
Who is your target audience? You should use simple language when writing for children and refrain from violence or any other mature themes.
If you are writing for a general audience, you can explore different topics and use a variety of language styles.
As you write, keep your audience in the forefront of your mind to help them connect with your story. If you write for everyone, you will end up writing for no one!
Tip 10. Tip 10.
Getting feedback from an expert is one of the best ways to improve creative writing. Creative writing tutors are able to help with the following:
- Get inspired by other writers
- Develop your ideas further
- Structure your story
- Create your characters
- Find the right words to express yourself
- Create tension and turning points for your plot
- If you plan to publish your work, please do so.
Consider seeking professional help if you are serious about improving your writing skills. Check out our Creative Writing Summer School.
You’ll be able to experience 1:1 tutoring in prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
Your creative writing journey can be greatly accelerated by a tutor who specializes in this area.
Tip 11.
Feedback from family, friends and other writers, as well as professional feedback, is also beneficial. When getting feedback, here are some tips to remember:
- Open yourself to constructive criticism. Do not take criticism personally. Use their feedback to improve your story.
- Ask for specific feedback. Ask your reader to concentrate on one aspect of your story if you are unsure which areas require improvement. ).
- Beware of bias. You may find that someone close to you is more likely to compliment your work rather than provide constructive feedback. Take their feedback with a pinch of salt.
- Do not delay in revising. It’s important to respond quickly after receiving feedback. You may forget what you heard or lose motivation if you wait too long.
- Selectively choose who you ask for feedback. Some people will not have anything helpful to say. It’s crucial to select the right people when you are looking for feedback on your story.
After receiving feedback, you’ll better understand your audience, allowing you to make any necessary revisions. Our Creative Writing Summer School is built around feedback.
Tips for Creative Writing to Become a Better Writer
Here are three easy and practical tips to help you become a better creative writer.
- A great creative writer practices regularly. Like any skill, writing takes practice and time to master. You’ll get better at writing the more you do it. Use creative writing exercises to improve your skills!
- A creative writer must love to experiment. Do not be afraid to explore new styles and try out new ideas. You can only find your voice as an author by writing.
- An excellent creative writer will always be learning. This can include attending workshops, reading writing books, and taking online courses.
If you want to become a great writer, commit to lifelong education. Writing creatively is not an endpoint but a journey. You can always improve!
Six More Creative Writing Tips for Better Writing Quality
1. Clarity is the key
The first characteristic is the focus. A good writer can focus on the story. Remove anything that does not contribute to the plot.
They know how to cut out “fluff” and get right to the point. It can be hard to do, especially if your story is important to you. If you want to improve the quality of your writing, learn to focus on what’s essential.
They also know what is important to their readers. They know how to prioritize information in order to make their story clear and concise. It is important to do this when writing for an audience or market.
2. Write with Emotional Appeal
Emotion is the second quality of a good creative piece. A good writer can evoke emotions in the reader. They create characters and scenarios that readers can relate to.
Also, they use descriptive language in order to create a mental picture for the reader. The reader will feel as if they are a part of the story. The reader feels like they are in the shoes of the characters.
The story is memorable and entertaining.
3. Create a captivating read with creative development
Development is the third characteristic of creativity. A good writer understands how to develop characters and stories so that the reading experience is engaging and satisfying.
To do so, they create well-rounded, believable characters. Also, they create a compelling plot. They also use dialogue and descriptions to make their story come to life.
4. Coherence for Smooth Flow
The fourth creative writing characteristic is flow. A good writer can create a story that is cohesive and flows from the beginning to the end.
This means that you need to use transitional phrases, sentence structures, and other techniques effectively. It is also important to choose the right words in order to convey your ideas and thoughts. The story should be logically arranged so that readers can follow it.
5. Learn to Improve Your Language
Language is the fifth creative writing characteristic. The fifth characteristic of creative writing is language use.
They also know when and how to use certain words. Also, they know how to create creative and exciting sentences. The writer can communicate his thoughts and ideas more clearly and engage readers on a deeper basis.
6. Write Creatively and Error-Free.
Accuracy is the sixth and final characteristic. A good writer pays attention to details and strives for perfection. Proofread carefully and check for grammar or spelling mistakes.
The quality of your finished product will reflect this attention to detail. It’s important to spend time revising and editing your work before publishing it.
With practice, creative writing can be learned and honed. It is not necessary to be a born storyteller. You need patience and a willingness to learn. If you want to pursue creative writing, check out A-level requirements at the top UK universities.
You can also write engaging and entertaining stories by following our creative writing advice and practising regularly. What are you waiting for? Start writing!
