For a while, finishing university meant I felt like an expert. Or at least, like some of my expertise had been validated by society. But this isn’t true. I’ve always said, but I guess I forgot, that learning is never done. It’s not a destination to be reached, like now I am knowledgable or an… Continue reading How to be a master of your craft
Tag: Writing Tips
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 Make Writing Fun Again
When I was younger, writing was more fun. Pure creative expression with no limits. Yes, in adulthood I've become more serious and I've learned more about the craft, but that doesn't mean the fun should be lost from the process. There are a lot of benefits to making your writing feel fun again, most importantly,… Continue reading How to Make Writing Fun Again
Writing Goals for 2024 – that aren’t basic
Next year, I want to look at my writing differently. I don’t want to do what I’ve tried to do years before which hasn’t quite worked. I don’t want to set the same boring goals: Write 100,000 words Write two completed first drafts of novels Look for an agent Publish a book Query a book… Continue reading Writing Goals for 2024 – that aren’t basic
Writing goals and aspirations: do I want to be an author anymore?
I’ve been thinking about my journey as a writer lately and I’ve shared some of that already, but I want to go a bit deeper. Next year, I am not setting the goal of pursuing a good story for publishing. I don’t want to think about publishing anymore. I think I need to forget that… Continue reading Writing goals and aspirations: do I want to be an author anymore?
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
How to support writers in your life (when you’re not one yourself)
I wanted to write a list of ways you can support your writer friends, spouses, siblings, or colleagues when you aren’t a writer yourself. I have writer friends and non-writer friends and sometimes, especially if you’re not a big reader, either, it can be hard to talk to a writer and show you care about… Continue reading How to support writers in your life (when you’re not one yourself)
Writing and Reading Revelations – changing the way I do things this autumn-winter
I’ve realised a number of things about my writing and the books I’m reading that I thought I’d share in case they resonate with any of you, too. Writing the wrong way I think that I really enjoy writing in notebooks, but I rarely write my actual stories in them anymore, just notes. This is… Continue reading Writing and Reading Revelations – changing the way I do things this autumn-winter
Finishing your novel and feeling unsure about it
Last week, I finished writing another novel. Yay! I feel really good about this one. It’s definitely my strongest work and I felt sure I would pursue it for publishing. Now, I’m not so sure… Debut considerations Even though I have self-published three books in my early twenties, this next book will be my official… Continue reading Finishing your novel and feeling unsure about it
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?
S. R. Crawford 