Before you start a writing session, eliminate distractions, close your eyes and picture the setting your protagonist is in. Visualize the play-by-play action and what the character would see, hear, smell and feel. If you want, set a timer during this exercise. Think about what your character would notice and how he or she would react to the events happening. Then, when you have a good sense of the scene, start writing.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged character development, characters, practical prompts, protagonist, writing tips
As writers, we’re well versed at reading and re-reading our words before we ever let anyone else see them. But proofreading our work is a vital step in the writing process, especially if you’re submitting your manuscript. Today, for National Proofreading Day, we offer these tips to make the proofreading process more effective. Printing your pages in a different font or format is one visual way to spot mistakes you may have missed while drafting. Reading your work aloud also provides a quick way to hear an error you may have previously overlooked. This technique is especially helpful for spotting repetitive wording. Finally, keep track of errors you commonly make. Knowing your bad habits gives you a starting point for fixing misspelled words, incorrect contractions, grammar errors and whatever else you know you consistently do wrong.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged practical prompts, proofreading, writing life, writing tips
It’s a new year and time for a fresh start. Clearing the clutter from your desk will help clear your mind for writing. Don’t forget to share the before and after pictures of your work space. Check @writeowls on Twitter for our own clutter-clearing reveals.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, look up the contact information for a favorite author and send them a thank you email, tweet or hand-written note to let them know how their work has touched your life or inspired your writing.
As you go about your week, whenever you’re in a new place or environment, spend a few minutes thinking about how your character would react to that errand or setting. A child would view a trip to the grocery store differently than an adult would. A person with a limited budget would react to the shopping experience differently than a person with a lot of money in the bank. How can you see your everyday tasks through the eyes of your characters?