Mini writing workshop: Is there a shortcut to good writing?

in #fiction6 years ago (edited)

Thank you for checking out the mini fiction writing workshop -- a series of small, actionable tips for fiction writers. Each workshop starts with a question. In this case, the question is whether there is a shortcut to good writing.

Okay, on to the topic of the day!

Writer's block
Source: Pixabay image by lukasbieri

Is there a shortcut to good writing?


The short answer is no.

IMHO (in my humble opinion), no one except perhaps a genius like... oh, Shakespeare (who may have been multiple writers) can hope to bypass the grind of getting good at this craft. It would be like trying to be a prize-winning body builder without spending time in the gym. Or a world class chef who didn't spend time in the kitchen.

That said, there are some things we can do to get better faster.

Read


Reading is kind of like the kindling under the fire of great writing. It's a little mysterious how it happens, but trust me that it does. If you are a writer who reads a lot, it's going to fuel better writing. I think writers who read a lot of work by others simply have more depth to their work.

Here's what's interesting. The stuff you read doesn't have to be the the best writing out there, and it doesn't even have to be your preferred genre. (Although reading great writing and doing a lot of reading in your preferred genre is very much advised!)

But the very fact of reading fiction is an absolute necessity.

Try this. Start a writing project. Just sketch out your characters and some interaction between them. Maybe you don't know yet what the central conflict of the story is, or how to really make it interesting. That's okay.

Now, take a break from it and read for a while. If you're like a lot of writers, something uncanny can happen in this process. You find your mind drifting off to your own project. Or you might find some subconscious part of your brain working on solving whatever problem you need to solve in your own writing.

I think it's a little bit like watching someone else do something you absolutely love to do, whatever that may be. Maybe it's sailing, or gourmet cooking, or horseback riding. There's some magical thing that happens in your mind that puts you there, in that experience.

The same thing can happen while you are reading someone else's work. Somehow the barriers between you and the craft tend to melt away.

Write


Writing regularly is key. The surest way to halt your progress as a writer is to not write. (Ahem: I say this from experience.) And on the flipside, one of the surest ways to get better is to do it.

That's not surprising. We all know it's true, but it is still worth saying. You can't get great at playing tennis without playing. (A lot!) It's the same with the piano, painting portraits, making pottery and running marathons. There are no shortcuts. You have to do it. You have to train. A lot.

Take classes or join workshops


There are many resources for writers, including several writing groups that are affiliated with the Steem blockchain. (If you are looking for one, let me know. I have several you can check out.)

The importance of classes and workshops is about exposure to ideas and critique. Rubbing elbows with other writers, hearing about techniques from seasoned instructors, and getting feedback on your writing can all support you in your goals as a writer and move your skills and knowledge forward.



Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this mini writing workshop.

The writing workshop collection


You can browse my collection of writing workshop posts in the links below.

Mini workshop series


Short posts on specific writing topics:

Mini workshops within 50-word prompt posts

Brief workshops, typically 3-5 paragraphs, at the top of 50-word short story challenge posts:

In-depth workshop posts

The original writing workshop series: Thank you, as always, for reading, following, upvoting, connecting, HODL'ing, resteeming, laughing, sharing, and being you.Note: The image is sourced from Pixabay.
Animated signature




Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://jaynalocke.com/2019/05/05/mini-writing-workshop-is-there-a-shortcut-to-good-writing/
Sort:  

yes, reading fuels the imagination! Excellent advice! ☺

Posted using Partiko Android

Thanks so much for reading the mini workshop post, @thekittygirl.


We are SO proud to have you as a member of our
FANTABULOUS Power House Creatives family!
uvoted and/or resteemed!

❤ MWAH!!! ❤

Power House Creatives Logos FINAL_float.png

#powerhousecreatives

Posted using Partiko Android

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.21
TRX 0.20
JST 0.034
BTC 99331.95
ETH 3298.98
USDT 1.00
SBD 3.05