- I made space in my schedule for writing. Start by setting aside an hour every week day for writing. I didn’t write a whole hour every day, but I made the time. Sometimes I write for a lot longer.
- I found a writing community. Your writing community will read your writing, give you tips on how to improve your writing, and walk with you through the writing process. You might be able to find a writing community at your library. I am part of the ACFW. The ACFW has online critique groups, local chapters, and online classes.
- Read as a writer.
- Read writing craft books.
- Attend a local conference. You will go away bursting with knowledge and connections. There are some conferences that even have special classes for teens.
What can you do this week to improve your writing?
Focus on showing versus telling. This means you are writing in a way that makes you feel you are in the character’s shoes. Instead of saying the character is angry, you show the vein bulging on their forehead and show the character clenching and unclenching their fists. You might show the character’s thoughts or have snippy dialogue.
Read a couple blog posts about showing versus telling.
#5onFri: Five Ways to Improve Your Description – Sacha Black (diymfa.com)
Showing vs. Telling in Your Writing – Writer’s Digest (writersdigest.com)
Pick up a writing book like Go Teen Writers: Write Your Novel.
Read like a writer. When you read, pay attention how the author made you feel you were part of the story. What details did the author include?
Practice showing versus telling or edit your story. Find places where you tell the reader what a character feels. Rewrite it to help your reader see and feel the character’s experience, like if you have a camera filming the scene.
