5 Tricks That Will Make You a Better Writer

Halloween is almost upon us, but I don't remember the last time one of my grandchildren was asked to do a trick at someone's door over getting a free treat.

With writing, however, tricks remain one of the greatest treats of creating your best work.

Allow me to share 5:

1. Getting out. Like the ghouls and boys at Halloween, you must venture out to get that well-craved treat. You can't expect to stay home (unless you're the parent) and receive your favorite chocolates. The same is true with the better writers who go out - not just to work or to the grocery store - but on a planned visit. Taking a walk is good, so is visiting the park, taking in a movie or dinner alone, or purposely planning a weekend at a favorite hotel or destination to write your heart out.

Our annual Halloween party. From left to right: Bekah as Nancy Drew, Chris as Neighborhood Watch guy, Me as Carmen Sandiego, Doug as Sherlock Holmes, Jacob as Scooby Do.
WE LOVE OUR GRANDKIDS!  

2. Writing when you don't feel like it. Writing, for me, is like breathing. Some days, all I can do is write in my journal, but I write every day. When it hurts the most is the best time to write. I have found when I write when I hurt I heal that much faster.

3. Reading what other writers have written. I know, I know, you've heard this for years, but it remains true. I still talk to writers who love to write but they never read. There is something life-changing about reading what someone else has written and paying attention to how and what they have written about, especially if the book is in the same genre as the one you are writing or wish to write. We can learn a lot about characters, setting, dialogue, and plot by reading someone else's work.

4. Editing! Editing, at least for me, is a dreaded task until I think about the end result. Always, always, the end result is a better representation of what I have written. Always! How many drafts does it take to get to the end of your [book]? The world may never know, but you should.

"How many licks does it take to get to the end of a Tootsie Pop?"

 Photo by Nagesh Badu on Unsplash

5. Taking in feedback. This is hard! I still struggle with this one! Especially after I've worked hard to make the work my best and there are still issues! Sometimes the feedback is someone's opinion. You hear it once and no one else makes the same comment. I take a look at these and often let them go. Then there are the times you hear the same comment over and over. That's when you really take a look! That's when changes for me are often made.

Becoming a better writer doesn't happen in a moment as you know. But a howling night, maybe five or ten years down the road, you'll look at your earlier work and really see something! The best treat of all...

Improvement.

6 Tips on Teaching a Writing Class (Part 1)

So, you're thinking you have some things to share--some writing tips and tricks you'd like to pass on to other writers. How do you get your name out there? How do you set up a class? How do you get interested writers to sign up?

I am also in the running for teaching some writing classes. I've taught them before, but for the last few years I've been focusing my time on mentoring and attending college, and from what I hear, some things have changed in the "teaching" department.

Here are some things I am either re-learning or learning for the first time:

My backyard is small, but I was able to hold a
small class for teens here last year

• Start small. Your classes can be held at home; even in your back yard. My first few classes for teens were held this way. The library is a free venue though they usually don't allow you to sell your book(s). Places like art centers are also good to host your first few classes--and you CAN sell your books here.
• Because you're going to have varied students in your class, with different learning styles and different levels of writing, it's a good idea to teach with more than one method in mind. For example, you may use hand-outs at the appropriate times (more about that later), but you may not have an idea for experiential exercises that would engage students a different way. Experiential exercises include talking to a neighbor about your writing, sharing with the group your writing style, or being given an opportunity from the instructor to share your work. 
• I focus on 3 areas when I am teaching:
• 1. Hands-on opportunities--this includes music, writing and drawing
• 2. Experiential sharing exercises
• 3. Learning--information is given from the instructor to expand the writer's thinking

• Workshops work better if your numbers are under 25 students; over 25, you're looking at a lecture type of presentation.
• Your first few classes may need to be free. Until your name is out there and enough people have taken your courses, you might find it difficult to fill a room. Or you can try piggy-backing on other writers through conferences that have been successful. Teach a class at a conference, and if it's well received, there's no doubt that future numbers will improve. 
• Advertising is BIG but it is also expensive. Use your already established resources first when advertising your class. Social networking sites are excellent but so are your church related resources as well as those people you associate with within the community. Fliers don't usually work to bring in writers. What brings them in (until you're established as a speaker) is others talking about what you do. 

Guidebook I use for "Conquering Your Writing
Goliaths Workshop"

• Hand-outs are great for a class, but use them only when you'll be discussing the hand-out. If you bring the hand-out out too early, students might be reading over the hand-out instead of listening to you. If you're using a manual or workbook like I am, this makes things a bit more tricky. (If anyone has a suggestion for this one, please let me know).

Teaching tips and tricks in teaching are abundant on the Internet. What's important, is that you try a few ideas on the first class, see what works, and use the same tips in the future. Not every tip or trick is going to work for you and that's okay. The best presenters, present themselves as well as the material. People continue to take their classes because they are not only informative, but the class is fun and engaging. 

Tomorrow, I'd like to talk a bit more on setting up a class, how long your classes should be, and what you can expect from writers in a writing class.