TIPS TO BECOME A MASTER WRITER
Grasshopper, you dream of becoming a writer. You wish to craft a memorable story that stays with the reader their whole life. The story of someone in your family, a skill you wish to impart, or a fresh fiction story — it doesn’t matter. Grasshopper, you have much to learn before becoming a samurai writer. But if you listen to what the master tells you and practice the techniques I teach, then soon you will surpass the master. Your writing life will be easier and profitable. Or, at least, you won’t make the stupid mistakes, embarrass yourself publically, and waste time and money in the ways that I have.
My tips will be short and to the point using Prato’s principle. Sometime, it is called the 80-20 rule or law of the vital few. This principle states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. For example, 20% of the tools in your kitchen, workshop or garage you use 80% of the time to complete work done around your home, ranch, building, plant, etc.
So, for emerging writers I’m going to share what I have found to be the vital 20% of writing techniques I use 80% of the time. Stuff you will use over and over and that you need to be consistently good at in order to succeed. My goal is for you to learn what many seasoned authors wished someone had taught them about writing well — before they began writing! So you avoid realizing on your own or when you are told by an expert authority to re-write or re-structure huge portions your story.
Tip #1: Before you write the first sentence of your story, pick the three most intriguing openings and the three most satisfying endings you can think of.
This means in your mind, before writing, do a bunch of what ifs…? What if it starts this way…? What if it ends this way…?
Once you’ve got the three openings. Assess each one by asking which one of these will be most intriguing to the reader? Which one is more likely to hook the reader to read the next sentence and then the first page?
Next, assess the three endings by asking which one of these will be the most satisfying to the reader? Which one will make the reader shake his or her head and say, Great ending!
This exercise may trigger you to think of more than three options. The good news is now you have selected a beginning that will cause the reader to go on the long journey with you and then end up satisfied. Don’t worry that you are locked into cement. By the time you turn the book in to the publisher you may have matured the story to an even better opening and ending. That’s allowed.
Now, all you have to do is select the route you’ll take the reader along from the start point to the finish line. Tips for how to do that will come in a later blog.
Please, comment on this post, especially if you are a writer, whether you agree, disagree, or wish to offer your tip on how to come up with the initial beginning and initial ending.
All Titles are available as an autographed physical copy or in your favorite ebook format (Kindle, Nook, Apple, etc) and if you wish an autographed book click the cover below, then select “Add to Cart”.
From: Author Ed Mitchell
Click to contact me direct
(Also on GoodReads)
Please Share This with your social media friends.
Share This On – Facebook
Tweet This On – Twitter OR Messenger This On – Facebook Messenger
Autographed award-winning thrillers are available at my website
Encourage your social media friends to sign up for one or more of my blogs
All Titles are available as an autographed physical copy (spend $25 or more and shipping is free) or in Kindle format on Amazon .
Before you leave please signup for our newsletter. You will receive funny and fun emails along with specials, announcements and contest notifications. Easily opt-out anytime if you do not like it.
