5 Tips for Taking Your Writing to the Next Level

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Whether you’re published or unpublished at this point in your writing journey, you’ve probably discovered by now that, as much as you wish you could, you can’t write a story that pleases everyone. Family, friends, critique partners, contest judges, reviewers and readers all have an opinion—sometimes a vastly differing opinion. If you don’t believe me, just go to Amazon and read the reviews of the works of bestselling authors.

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An author must tell the story they need to tell, not a story that someone else wants them to tell, or that someone else might choose to tell differently had they been the author. As hard as we may try, for one reason or another we will miss the mark with some readers. That’s okay. It’s normal.

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I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn, however, by stating that most of us, even the New York Times bestselling authors, have room to grow in the understanding of storytelling and skillful handling of the nuts and bolts of the craft of writing. That’s the beauty of being a writer—the opportunity to get better and better. To take our writing to the next level.

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Tip #1: Perspective: See growth as a positive challenge. It hurts deeply when we’ve put our heart and soul into a story that is criticized. We don’t claim to be perfect or to write perfectly, yet sometimes we can lose our enjoyment of writing when someone feels we should have written a book the way they would have written it.
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As a traditionally published author, I can’t go back and rewrite a story once it’s in print even if I totally agree with the inputter’s perspective. It is what it is. But remember, as I do, if you feel there’s merit in a “criticism” or there’s something that’s personally niggling at the back of your mind demanding growth attention, you can look ahead to the next book…!

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Tip #2 - Evaluate: Where have you missed the mark? Maybe a contest judge or reviewer has pointed out an area for potential growth and you agree it warrants further exploration. Or maybe it’s an area you personally wish you’d had more time to explore in the last book, but time constraints or word count limitations or whatever, held you back from giving it the attention you felt it deserved.
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Keep in mind that there may be MANY areas in which you’d like to grow in your mastery of the writing craft, but don’t bite off more than you can chew. Take one or two areas you feel mostly strongly need attention at this time and focus on those.

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Tip #3 – Make a plan. Once you’ve settled on an area of your writing that you’d like to strengthen, decide how you’re going to move in the direction of that goal. Are you going to take an on-line class that addresses the topic? Download or attend a conference workshop? Maybe you’ll search out a writing craft book, articles or blogs on the subject. Pay a free-lance editor for input. Or perhaps you’ll read the works of fiction writers you admire with an eye to studying how they deal effectively with the area you’re most wanting to grow in. Make it a priority to work further development into your next book.

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Tip #4 – Apply and assess. All the theoretical head knowledge in the world won’t make much difference until you make the effort to apply it to your own writing. Consciously evaluate as you revise. Read it aloud. Ask a friend or critique partner to read it and provide feedback on the area in particular that you’re stretching yourself in. Send it to another contest to see if scores and comments that previously sunk you improve in your targeted area. (This is something I did frequently as an unpublished writer to see if I was starting to “get it.”)

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Tip # 5 - Commit: To never stop learning. Keep in mind that when you select an area for growth and begin to work toward it, that’s just a first step. You won’t master it immediately, but over time, by revisiting it again and again with each book you write, the techniques will gradually become a part of your instinctive writing style.

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With every book I try to focus on at least one element of storytelling or craft that I’d like to get better at. Maybe dialogue. Or pacing. Or description. Perhaps a greater awareness of story arc or goal, motivation, and conflict. Relationship dynamics. But again, the trick to pursuing growth is persistence coupled with a recognition that it isn’t usually an overnight process. So be diligent in your efforts, but realistic and kind to yourself as well.

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Share with us today which area or areas of the writing craft you’d like to take to the next level. How was it brought to your attention? What is your plan to pursue and apply this needed growth? How will you assess your progress? Is there an underlying fear you need to set aside in order to move ahead?

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If you’d like to be entered in a drawing for a copy of my November Love Inspired release, “The Pastor’s Christmas Courtship,” mention it in the comment section, then check the Weekend Edition to see if you’re a winner!

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Glynna

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GLYNNA KAYE treasures memories of growing up in small Midwestern towns--and vacations spent with the Texan side of the family. She traces her love of storytelling to the times a houseful of great-aunts and great-uncles gathered with her grandma to share candid, heartwarming, poignant and often humorous tales of their youth and young adulthood. Her Love Inspired books--Pine Country Cowboy and High Country Holiday--won first and second place, respectively, in the 2015 RWA Faith, Hope & Love Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards. Her November 2016 release, The Pastor’s Christmas Courtship, is available for pre-order now (click here)!

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Jodi Thorpe’s childhood vacation cabin seems the perfect place for her to heal her broken heart…and avoid Christmas cheer. After twelve years, nothing in Hunter Ridge has changed--except Garrett McCrae. The bad boy who was once her secret crush is now the town minister. And Garrett won’t let her miss out on all the hope and joy the holiday brings.  With every day he’s drawn to the vulnerable woman Jodi’s become, even as he’s about to leave for a mission halfway around the world.  But as they grow closer, their plans begin to change. Can Garrett make it a season to remember, with a love they can’t forget?