It's quite the thing of beauty to love your own writing. Lately, I've felt this way. Looked at a completed draft and found myself laughing, crying, and even gasping. This is the mark of a job well done. I am grateful. I am lucky. But alas, there is still editing to be done. What do… Continue reading How to Kill Your Darlings: Advice on Editing
Tag: novel
The power of going slow when writing (and in life)
This week, I started a new novel. I’m very excited about this one as it’s slightly different from the ones I’ve done before, but it is inspired by the last three high fantasy novels I’ve written over the last two years. However, there’s something I need to fight at the moment: the urge to rush.… Continue reading The power of going slow when writing (and in life)
Are you scared to write your novel?
Damn it, I think I'm scared to write my novel! I have a solid story idea that excites me. It makes me think of a Pixar film, which is a good sign immediately! But for some reason, there's a lot of resistance in me to write the thing. I'm off from work on Easter break,… Continue reading Are you scared to write your novel?
How to improve your critical thinking to improve your creative writing
I think part of our jobs as writers is to have a critical eye. We can't just read a book and move on to the next. I need to get into the habit of engaging with them a little more. Questioning it and myself after having read it. Even if it's one I read "for… Continue reading How to improve your critical thinking to improve your creative writing
How to ask for feedback as a writer
Writers need feedback to get better. Whether this is from friends, critique partners, beta readers, an agent, or editors. There’s no avoiding it. But how do we get the right feedback from people who perhaps aren’t in the professional field? What kind of questions do we actually need answered? Here’s some of my thoughts on… Continue reading How to ask for feedback as a writer
What type of writer are you?
It’s important as a writer to know what kind of writer you are. (I mean this in terms of a story writer but it might be applicable to other types of writers, too). It can help you to optimise your writing process, set appropriate goals and expectations, and find your groove. Night, day, morning, all… Continue reading What type of writer are you?
How to create natural tension and conflict in your narrative
Tension and suspense are key to gripping your reader. Conflict is what makes a story interesting but there is boring conflict and then there is natural and tense conflict! You want the latter if you can! I will be talking today about natural conflict and tension using the latest Planet of the Apes franchise to… Continue reading How to create natural tension and conflict in your narrative
Writing my novel this summer
I did it. The first draft of my adult dystopian fantasy is complete. 84,000 words written in 5 weeks (36 days) - not all of which were writing days. Started 26th July and finished 30th August. I got the idea sometime in June I believe. The time has come and gone so quickly. I really… Continue reading Writing my novel this summer
How I’m writing so fast this summer
I started writing my new Young Adult Fantasy Dystopian novel on the 26th July. I am now 20,000 words into the story. That's 20,000 words written in just 10 days. I feel like I'm writing very fast. I already did a post about how I plan to write this summer, which is similar to this.… Continue reading How I’m writing so fast this summer
How I plan to consistently write this summer
I plan on having a writing-heavy summer! This means having a plan and also being flexible. I think that's where we can fall short with any of our goals; not having a clear plan to follow even when tired or confused, or not being flexible enough with our plans so that we can veer off… Continue reading How I plan to consistently write this summer
S. R. Crawford 