Author Kelli A. Wilkins Shares 15 Fun Writing Tips!
Welcome to Mary's Garden. First we have a garden tip. Great shrubs.
Planting Tip
Most, if not all, shrubs and vines thrive best in soils described as "well-drained."
This means that the soil texture should be loose enough so that rain or irrigation water drains through quickly rather than allowing the roots to soak in standing water. Most average soils are naturally well-draining, but drainage can be a problem with dense soils high in clay content. If you have this kind of soil, the best way to improve its texture and drainage is to thoroughly blend in compost or other organic amendments before you plant. A regular top-dressing of additional compost will keep the soil texture ideal for sustaining plants.
Now, welcome Kelli A. Wilkins.
romance novels, 6 non-fiction books, and 2 online writing courses.
Her romances span many genres and heat levels, and she’s also been known to
scare readers with her horror stories.
Planting Tip
Most, if not all, shrubs and vines thrive best in soils described as "well-drained."This means that the soil texture should be loose enough so that rain or irrigation water drains through quickly rather than allowing the roots to soak in standing water. Most average soils are naturally well-draining, but drainage can be a problem with dense soils high in clay content. If you have this kind of soil, the best way to improve its texture and drainage is to thoroughly blend in compost or other organic amendments before you plant. A regular top-dressing of additional compost will keep the soil texture ideal for sustaining plants.
Now, welcome Kelli A. Wilkins.
Author
Kelli A. Wilkins Shares 15 Fun Writing Tips!
Hi
everyone!
One
of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Do you have any writing tips?”
Well, yes, I sure do! Whether you’re a beginning writer just starting out, or
someone who is more advanced, here are 15 fun tips any writer can use.
TIP
1: Use more dialogue and less exposition (narrative)
in the beginning of a story, it’ll speed up the action and pull readers in.
TIP
2: Don’t use “She thought to herself.” in your story.
(Who else does she think to?) Instead, put your character’s internal dialogue
(thoughts) in italics. Be careful not to overdo it, though. Your characters
shouldn’t be “thinking” the whole story.
TIP
3: Make a list of important details, so they don’t
accidentally change during the story. If your hero has a blue striped sofa in
Chapter One, it shouldn’t be red in Chapter Three.
TIP
4: Don’t let your characters relax or become too
comfortable in a scene. Keep raising the stakes and ask yourself, “What could
go wrong at the worst possible time?”
TIP
5: If you’re stuck on a character’s name, try
freewriting for a while. If you can’t think of a name now and are busy writing,
call the character “George” or “Helen” and change it later.
TIP
6: Ask yourself what the character wants (this is his
or her goal) then throw in a curve and see how you can make things go wrong.
TIP
7: The type of story you write can determine how you
use point-of-view. Short stories are almost always told in one character’s
viewpoint, whether in first or third person. Novels and novellas can be told by
many characters using different points-of-view.
TIP
8: When you’re in the writing zone, don’t think about
what to write, write whatever pops into your head. And don’t worry about
spelling or grammar—this is just for fun!
TIP
9: Set aside an hour a day to write. Not sure you have
an hour? Consider writing on your lunch break or during a commute. Get up an
hour earlier or schedule time after dinner. Make an appointment with yourself
and keep it.
TIP
10: Avoid starting sentences with “suddenly.” It warns
readers that something is about to happen before it does.
TIP
11: Don’t rush through a scene to get to the end. Stay
in the scene as long as you have to and let the drama build. When a scene is
fleshed out completely, your readers can envision everything that’s happening.
TIP
12: Each character must have a weakness he or she works
to overcome. It could be anything: chronic lateness, unreliability, or fear of
spiders. Use this weakness against your character in the story and show readers
how he or she overcomes it.
TIP
13: Give your characters something from the past that
can come back to haunt them. A secret is revealed (or is threatened to be), an
ex-lover returns, a secret love child appears, or a scandal threatens to
destroy someone… It adds depth and believability to the characters. It can also
move the plot forward. What are the consequences of hiding the secret? What
happens when it’s revealed?
TIP
14: Show your readers your character’s personality,
likes, and dislikes. Describe keepsakes and favorite possessions (a coffee mug
from vacation, a lucky keychain, or a cherished family photo). What does each
item mean or represent to the character? Why do they have it?
TIP
15: Keep a folder for “someday” story ideas,
characters, and settings. File notes, scraps of plots, bits of dialogue, and
photos of scenic views that you’ve accumulated in one place. If you’re ever
stuck on what to write next, open the folder and see what inspires you.
Want more writing tips and advice? Check out my non-fiction
writing guide, You Can Write—Really! A
Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.
This
fun and practical book walks you through the story-creating process
step-by-step: from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing
a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work. It covers the
basics of storytelling – regardless of what genre you write.
Each
easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of hands-on experience as a writer,
advice I’ve received, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in writing
classes and professional writing workshops. It’s practical advice on how to get started, almost
like a Writing 101 workshop. Any writer can use the tips and writing exercises
for an extra boost of motivation or just for fun.
Ready
to write? Order your copy here:
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4AqYN4
Happy
Writing!
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli
A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short
stories, 19
In
November 2019, she released Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to
Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide to romance. The book features
104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your
life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday
gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.
Kelli published Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of
18 sci-fi stories, in August 2019. If
you like horror fiction, don’t miss her disturbing novella, Nightmare
in the North.
Her
historical romance, The Viking’s Witch, was released in June 2019. This full-length
novel takes place in Celtic Scotland and blends a sensual romance with
paranormal elements.
In
March 2019, Kelli published Dangerous Indenture, a historical
mystery romance set in Colonial Pennsylvania. She released the second half of
her flash fiction series, Cupid’s Schemes, in early 2019.
These two volumes of lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick
lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.
Kelli
released a Teachable mini-course, Fiction Basics: Finding Ideas in
February 2019. She authored Fiction Writing for
Beginners through Teachable in 2018. These courses are
perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to write. Visit: https://kelliwilkins.teachable.com/ for
more details.
Not just an
author, Kelli is also an amateur photographer. Visit her pages on Shutterstock https://www.shutterstock.com/g/kelli+wilkins and iStock https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/kelliwilkins
to view her photos.
Kelli
posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor.
Visit
her website/blog: www.KelliWilkins.com to learn about all of her writings.
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