Tips for Novice Writers

You may be wondering why a novice writer such as myself is writing a short list of tips for new writers, well I’m not particularly sure to be honest seeing as it is unlikely to be seen by many but if it proves useful in even the slightest way or somehow entertaining then I suppose it’s justified. Note that some tips may appear hypocritical if one where to look at some of my own stories but I encourage you to take the advice anyway.

Number One – While knowing how to include various complicated and ‘fancy’ words is good, it doesn’t mean that it can replace good ideas, good pacing, good storytelling or any other of the numerous things that go into writing an enjoyable story.

Number Two – A story shouldn’t include exposition equivalent to the way a toddler would include paint over a piece of paper. Having too much detail may lead to a very dull and dragging story, some things should be left to the readers imagination, case in point is that in the short story “Hills like white Elephants”, the most description you get of the main protagonist is that they wear a hat. You see, readers don’t want to be told every last detail about a place or character because a story is supposed to excite the imagination not bludgeon it with a pan labelled exposition.

Number Three – Speaking of metaphorical pans, a mistake some early writers tend to make is telling the reader exactly what’s going on, making it blaringly obvious of where the story is going and what’s coming around the next corner which removes the much loved element of mystery and dulls the readers sense of wonderment ever so slightly more.

Number Four – Writing a story takes more than one five hour session contrary to what some believe. Rushing your writing will only leave you with a train wreck of a story and a sour taste in the reader’s mouth.

Number Five – Never try to force ideas. Ideas both good or bad can take time and trying to force them onto paper will end with a list of poorly thought out ideas that don’t stand up to your better ones, if you’re having trouble coming up with the next piece in your growing story then take a break, relax and come back to it later, ideas will come if you are patient.

Number six – Possibly the most important one, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite and rewrite again. It is almost guaranteed that your initial draft can be improved significantly by going over it again and don’t be afraid to replace things as you go, sometimes you reread a part of your story you’ll find that you have no clue as why you wrote what you did and will wish to replace it immediately.

And that’s it, six tips for new writers looking to someday be great ones, hope it helps.