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Writing Tips

• Don’t force yourself to write. If you do, you’ll never be able to write. If you want to write badly, but can't get ideas, just start free-writing with a single sentence, for example, As she walked down the street.... Before you know it, you'll be writing a fabulous story.

• If you want to be a good writer, read more. The more you read the better you write. Also, read the types of books you intend to write. If you want to write mysteries, read mysteries....

• If something interests you very much, that’s the thing you should write about. Because you like the subject, it’ll be easier for you to get “into” it.

• If you get a great story idea when you’re in the middle of the highway, however tempting, don’t think about the story. This way you’ll be able to write it later. It will come to your mind afresh. But if you think about it, the story will be made without being written. You will never be able to write it like the original.

• What happens if you can’t write? If you can’t get any ideas?

One way to start writing is to think of different subjects. When you come to the one that interests you the most, you’ll automatically get a story idea. For example, you can think of the following subjects:

History

Archeology

Oceans

Dinosaurs

Real mysteries…

The ones that interest me the most are history, archeology and real mysteries. And of these three I love archeology the most. So ideas for stories on archeological remains start brewing. One other favorite subject of mine is ghost stories. And what better thing than to combine these two and write about a haunted archeological excavation site.

• What if you have a perfect story idea but can’t get started? The important thing is to be able to get absorbed in your writing. You have to relax and focus on the story and nothing else. If you’re sitting with a pen and paper or keyboard in hand but can’t start writing, leave the pen and paper/keyboard, go to your bed, lie down, relax, and start thinking/daydreaming about your story. When you get a perfect start, jump up and start writing/typing.

Do you have a writing tip? Send it to writestufffiction@yahoo.com with "writing tip" in the subject and we will publish it here with your name/email address (anonymous, if you like).

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