Perfect Your Creative Writing Craft | How To Stand Out

Writing is not a boring craft. It is full of imagination and carefully depicted with flavor. As an author your motivation is to draw the reader in and keep them captivated throughout the story. Make the reader want more by using the fantasy within your noodle. The greatness of each author is individuality, everything is created within the mind and no two minds are alike. That is the reason that writers may have particular style but the story is distinct. By making the reader feel part of the story – you have them hooked. That is every authors dream. Yet being successful is a harder target to hit then one might think. Developing a story takes time, know how and an inventive style that is essential for victory – the hope for all writers.

Sighting words that flow in a poetic way takes skill. Having an overall thought or outline in terms of a story line is the beginning. Then freely write. Constricting the mind to a particular way of writing or being too rigorous about grammar, ones flair is sure to be lost. Let go of all formatting when laying the foundation and write. I have heard many writers say just get the words on the page and worry about details later.

Don’t worry about errors, you will have to edit anyway so just sit down and let it flow without the concern of it initially making perfect sense. Add descriptive words when you can, either originally or later during edits. Realize that editing will always be part of writing. Also, flair does not mean perfect grammar. Artistic writing may not always be grammatically correct. Yes your audience needs to understand your point, but hanging sentences or fragments may be intentional. Remember to write for your audience, it is not a court report and the judge is not looking to see if you have fragmented sentences.

Allow the artistic juices to flow – expose yourself to your senses. Whether you decide to sit outside or close your eyes and listen to nature, expose yourself. Tap into those senses and inquisitively explore.

When writing think in terms of one's senses – what are the characters hearing, seeing, feeling, touching and tasting. When describing those things be resourceful in how you use those words. Think about the writer and work to create your fantasy in their mind.

Think about how you would describe to a person that has never ate a lemon. What is that like? What is the smell of the lemon, the texture, when sliced through with a knife, juice squirting in your face. Next biting into the lemon – my mouth is tingling with bitterness and a smell so sharp that my nostrils are alerted. Wow, not sure if I want to keep this in my mouth, my lips are puckering and said I’ve had enough. My tongue feeling like I’ve dried every bit of saliva from it but now it begins watering. All my senses are immediately over stimulated as my head feels a shock.

Imagine when writing that you are blind and cannot see the world, in a sense that is what occurs for the reader. They are blindly navigating through the material you created. Charismatically bringing them into your mind and fantasy when those words are laid on the page is the number one reason to write. Bring the reader to the places in your mind where the story was created and allow them to envision the story through their imagination.

During down time use quick exercises that help to unleash the ability to describe. Such as sitting outside, exploring the environment and write about what you see. Describe what is around you, are there any animals – describe those, do you see plants or trees – what is going on there, what is the temperature, the smell, what do you hear.

One key way to explore and expand your skills stems from expanding your vocabulary. What better way to do this then by using a thesaurus to swap out words or reading the dictionary? Whether it is a paper version or online application find what best suits you and make it happen.

Using the thesaurus function in Word can be the first go to method but I have found that branching out to an outside program brings an expanded choice of words. I like using www.dictionary.com which has an available dictionary and thesaurus function. Very easy site to use, it is free of charge and there are no daily search limits.

It is recommended to read a new word in the dictionary a day. That is 365 new words per year. More importantly try to use the learned word daily in something you write. Before you know it writing like a flowing ribbon will materialize in no time at all.

Expand your knowledge and learn vicariously.

Read, read, read.

Read different genres but something that interests you. Learn quick tips and tricks from other authors and look find the style that feels authentic to you by trying to use their style until one fits. Through that process you will develop your niche as a writer, nevertheless the style may be similar to another – it will be completely your own.

Never confuse what I am saying with plagiarize. I am not suggesting copying their words, but use their charisma and style to support and influence your own creativity. Don’t worry about reading other’s work from beginning to end, but look for key areas of interest – whether it happens to be sentence structure, flow, transition or development of storyline. Look specifically at how things are described. Some fiction, some non-fiction, however, fiction is likely to depict more originality and vision. Expose yourself to children’s books where descriptions are copious.

I find myself being most inspired when I cannot solidify it on paper. I realize that I cannot take my pen and pad into the shower but somehow that is when I think a lot and have great ideas that go right down the drain.

Write everywhere. Sometimes creativity rears its flowering head when you are not prepared or when it is not optimal to write. Take notes if possible. If you are using a tablet, download a note taking software such as Evernote. Never leave home without a pen and pad or tablet because without fail your next big idea will enter your mind and probably will be lost.

So if you have contemplated getting an IPad or other tablet, well this will be the perfect way to rationalize a new shiny toy. But more than a toy an IPad can bea powerful writing companion. If looking at an IPad or you already have one, research writing applications that suit your needs. Some I have found that are top rated for an IPad include Editorial (4.99), Quip (free), Pages, ($9.99), Day One ($4.99), Phraseology ($3.99), Evernote (free), Penultimate (free), and iA Writer ($0.99).

Recognize when the juices are flowing and exploit that natural edge. If early mornings work for you than schedule yourself to write every morning. Finding a schedule that allows you to write on a regular basis is ideal. Find what environment supports your creativity. Does that mean for you a cup of coffee early in the morning on the patio watching the birds and smelling the early morning dew. Or rather, late night under the stars with the cool breeze blowing and crickets in the background. Think about noise, do you need peace and quiet or does some sound assist.

Inspiration often boosts the creative flow. Many find inspiration through writing about ideas of interest. I find when I am passionate about something I can write for hours on end and the words just keep coming. That is a true fire way to start writing and to stay writing. Letting your imagination run loose when expressing what exists close to your heart and mind. Don’t forget, just write – edit later.

Writing when the mood is right is optimal but may not be realistic. If you are hoping to pump out your next manuscript, waiting for the stars to align may make you miss an important deadline or storyline in your mind. Creativity is not always natural for everyone, but it can be developed. Find how creativity works for you and practice that ritual. The most important part of writing is to continue doing it and to try new things that can improve your style while finding your calling. Even when in doubt of your talents and abilities, write anyway. Do not constrict your dynamic nature by trying to remain focused on a tight outline or with a fantasized outcome, that limits imagination.

As you practice using new words and allowing yourself the freedom to write without judgment options become endless. Allow those creative juices to flow while captivating your reader equals a recipe for success.