M.R. Bryant's Blog
June 3, 2013
An Author's Advice for Practice
Like everything in life, practice is key in good writing. In my experience, what you can learn in a creative writing class may be interesting and helpful, but there are some things you can do that will help that you might not have thought of! As such, here are my top five unusual things that will help your writing!
One: Study Literary Analysis.
Creative writing classes can be helpful in teaching you the basics, but many people who pursue a creative writing major have told me that they either feel that they spend their time competing with each other for grades or their personal writing style is molded into something more like their professors'. Either way, this is not a good way to increase your personal writing skill. Instead of devoting all of your classes to creative writing, focus on literary analysis. This teaches you the hallmarks of great writers. How are you supposed to avoid over-done tropes if you don't even know what they are?
Two: Write Fanfiction.
Let me be more specific: write good fanfiction. You have already been given a world and multiple characters! This is your chance to learn how to think up a new scenario with the stage already set. However and more importantly, it teaches you how to write different personalities and keep the characters separate and unique. Once you've practiced with fanfiction, you're ready to try your own!
Three: Study Your Vocabulary.
the most common thing you hear about in school is that you must know your grammar. This is an extremely important part of writing, but because of this focus, vocabulary lessons tend to get pushed aside. A grevious mistake! Which sentence is more interesting to read?
1. "I ran down the street, trying to keep my shoes on."
2. "I raced down the avenue, floundering as my shoe-laces attempted to make a bid for freedom."
Number 2, right? They say the same thing and are both grammatically correct, but Sentence 2 is much more engaging and creates a richer visual. Get out those dictionaries and read every word!
If you don't want to do that, you can order workbooks such as VocabularyWorkshop. (order here ) They will help immensely, I promise!
Four: Write Like Yourself
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, but in writing, this can be called plagiarism. I know I just told you to write fanfiction, but this is for PRACTICE ONLY. When you actually start getting ready to share and publish your work, find your own style. Write however makes you the most comfortable. If it's similar to someone else or you take influence from another author, that is fine. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and happy with your own style and you think it sounds like you, not the carbon copy of someone else.
Five: Let Yourself Take Breaks
There is absolutely no shame in stopping your writing, whether it is for an hour, a day, or even a month. It's completely unrealistic to expect yourself to be constantly writing and producing exceptional work. Personally, I try to write everyday and it often makes more problems than it solves. Don't do what I do! You don't want your story or poem to go stale, so while you're on break, keep thinking about it! Just don't type or scribble anything until the kinks have gotten worked out!
Good luck everyone! I hope some of this helps!
One: Study Literary Analysis.
Creative writing classes can be helpful in teaching you the basics, but many people who pursue a creative writing major have told me that they either feel that they spend their time competing with each other for grades or their personal writing style is molded into something more like their professors'. Either way, this is not a good way to increase your personal writing skill. Instead of devoting all of your classes to creative writing, focus on literary analysis. This teaches you the hallmarks of great writers. How are you supposed to avoid over-done tropes if you don't even know what they are?
Two: Write Fanfiction.
Let me be more specific: write good fanfiction. You have already been given a world and multiple characters! This is your chance to learn how to think up a new scenario with the stage already set. However and more importantly, it teaches you how to write different personalities and keep the characters separate and unique. Once you've practiced with fanfiction, you're ready to try your own!
Three: Study Your Vocabulary.
the most common thing you hear about in school is that you must know your grammar. This is an extremely important part of writing, but because of this focus, vocabulary lessons tend to get pushed aside. A grevious mistake! Which sentence is more interesting to read?
1. "I ran down the street, trying to keep my shoes on."
2. "I raced down the avenue, floundering as my shoe-laces attempted to make a bid for freedom."
Number 2, right? They say the same thing and are both grammatically correct, but Sentence 2 is much more engaging and creates a richer visual. Get out those dictionaries and read every word!
If you don't want to do that, you can order workbooks such as VocabularyWorkshop. (order here ) They will help immensely, I promise!
Four: Write Like Yourself
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, but in writing, this can be called plagiarism. I know I just told you to write fanfiction, but this is for PRACTICE ONLY. When you actually start getting ready to share and publish your work, find your own style. Write however makes you the most comfortable. If it's similar to someone else or you take influence from another author, that is fine. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and happy with your own style and you think it sounds like you, not the carbon copy of someone else.
Five: Let Yourself Take Breaks
There is absolutely no shame in stopping your writing, whether it is for an hour, a day, or even a month. It's completely unrealistic to expect yourself to be constantly writing and producing exceptional work. Personally, I try to write everyday and it often makes more problems than it solves. Don't do what I do! You don't want your story or poem to go stale, so while you're on break, keep thinking about it! Just don't type or scribble anything until the kinks have gotten worked out!
Good luck everyone! I hope some of this helps!
