Tips For Better Writing:   

Don't throw it out

Save everything no matter how bad you think it is. Designate a place for the "rejected" ones so you can go back to them. Later on when the inevitable writer's block comes, or you just need some other ideas, looking through the old stash of long forgotten pieces that are collecting dust can be useful. Even if most of the piece is bad, the plot idea or a certain character could be refurbished into a new piece. It might just be helpful to see how far you have come with your skills.

Look for the big picture

In the times when you are inspired, and can put on paper what you see in your head as fast as you see it, keep from becoming engrossed with details. Look for the big picture. For instance, if you have an idea for a piece and you get stuck after the first chapter or somewhere else, move on and return to it later. It's all right to leave blank parts in your work as you go. When you do get back to that area, chances are the writing of the missing middle will come more easily, and at the same time, you will have a great outline for your work.

Scrutinize others

If you like a particular writer, don't just enjoy their work. Few pieces are created by accident. They are molded into shape. If the plot or characters of a favorite piece cause you to cry, laugh or just identify with then study how it was done. Is it presenting an image, holding your feelings, telling a story? How did it do it? What were the griping words that were used and how were they put together? Does it make you think about something that happened in your own life? Study the proven successors to your work. Whether it is Shakespeare or Margaret Wise Brown or a famous short story author. They can help you in your journey.   

Scrutinize yourself

There is a need for developing the ability to view your work as an editor. Some think that all their work is bad or that all their work is great. The truth lies between the lines. Pull yourself away from the piece or the emotion that brought it about and think aloud: Is this working? What am I trying to say? Am I saying too much? Too little? Learn to figure out the good from the bad and separate them.

Mix it up

Keep a look out for ways to vary your work in general. Try writing for a different audience. If your writing is mostly about yourself and your experiences then write about someone you barely know and whose life greatly differs from yours.   

Slow down

When you finish a piece chances are you really love it right away. Try putting it aside for a few days or even a week and then take another look. You might see things differently and reworking will come easily. Don't hesitate from moving stuff around and taking stuff out. Make it tight.

Stay away from clichés

After you slow down, and during your reworking, check for clichés. These are overworked names, places, phrases, sentences or plots that the world can live without ever seeing again. Remove any 'dark and stormy nights', 'Bobby got in a fight at school' or 'He embraced her with open arms'. Work in something more original to your piece.

Go deeper

Look around for inspirations. Search on long-gone, maybe not-so-famous poets and authors. Check out rare movies that have actors that are like characters that you wish to create. You don't have to recreate the old but you can be inspired by them and add your own individualism to the piece.

Ignoring writer's block

Some may say that when writer's block occurs to just do something else for a while until the muse returns. These are people who shouldn't quit their day job either. I think the best medicine for writer's block is to keep writing on a daily basis no matter how bad it is. You will work through it. Keep your faith. Psalms 143:5 says, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands." If you haven't been able to write in months, force the words out of yourself in any order. Articles like this and writer's handbooks will help you through the hot desert sands. See, now, wasn't that easy.

Don't just say it, express it

You may have felt a particular emotion but stating the obvious won't be what makes your reader hang on the edge of their seats, rolling with hysteria or cuddled in a shawl with a tear in their eye. Use the words in a thoughtful form to draw your audience in and keep them there by weaving forth such imagery that they can't put it down.

Copyright © Rhonda DeYoung 2001

Rhonda DeYoung has been married for 11 years, has two children and resides in Littleton Colorado. Obadiah Press recently accepted her manuscript for a children's book for publishing. A short story was selected for an upcoming book entitled "God Allows U-turns". She currently writes for several E-zines on parenting issues and inspirational fillers. Email her at: cog7@hotmail.com

For more by Rhonda:
http://www.obadiahpress.com/
http://www.godallowsuturns.com/