Ten Weird Writing Tips That Actually Work

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore ten unconventional writing tips shared by Hannah Lee Kidder that can enhance your writing process and creativity. These tips are designed to help writers of all levels overcome common challenges and find new approaches to their craft.

Step 1: Create Complex Characters

• If you find yourself overly fond or critical of a character, make them complex by mixing good and bad traits.
• Temporarily replace your character's name with that of a real person you like or dislike to gain a fresh perspective.
• At the end of your draft, use the find and replace tool to revert the names back.

Step 2: Cut Your Last Paragraph

• Review the last thing you wrote and consider if it’s stronger without the final paragraph.
• Many writers tend to over-explain, diluting their main point. Cutting unnecessary words can enhance clarity.

Step 3: Stop Writing While You Still Have Ideas

• When you reach your word count goal, consider stopping while you still have ideas.
• Summarize your thoughts in bullet points for your next writing session to maintain momentum and productivity.

Step 4: Print Your Manuscript for Proofreading

• Use a physical copy of your manuscript to spot mistakes more easily.
• If printing isn’t an option, export your document as a PDF or change the font to give your work a fresh look.

Step 5: Keep Sentence-Long Summaries of Scenes

• Write brief summaries of scenes as you go along, which can serve as an informal outline.
• This method is especially helpful for long projects, allowing you to visualize the entire narrative at a glance.

Step 6: Maintain a List of Topic Ideas

• Regularly brainstorm and keep a list of potential ideas, even if they seem rough.
• This allows your subconscious to work on them passively, leading to a reservoir of ideas when you finish your current project.

Step 7: Track Problems Instead of Fixing Them Immediately

• As you draft, keep a list of problems to address later rather than stopping to fix them in the moment.
• This approach helps maintain your writing flow and allows you to think of solutions subconsciously.

Step 8: Summarize Stuck Paragraphs

• If you get stuck, write a detailed summary of what needs to happen in that paragraph or scene.
• Avoid vague placeholders; instead, record a beat-for-beat outline that captures the essence of the scene.

Step 9: Swap Scenes with a Writing Partner

• Collaborate with a writing partner to write scenes for each other’s projects.
• This can provide new insights and ideas for your narrative while also breaking up creative blocks.

Step 10: Write About Personal Experiences

• If you're struggling to connect with a character, write about personal experiences or thoughts you’re currently having.
• This can act as a bridge to understanding your character's mindset, even if the writing doesn’t end up in the final draft.

Conclusion

These ten unusual writing tips can help you develop compelling characters, maintain your writing flow, and enhance your creativity. Consider which tips resonate with you and try incorporating them into your writing routine. Happy writing!