Star
Writers' Literary Agency.
Science Fiction, Comedy,
Romance and Non-Fiction
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Points for Writers..... Please click on the links at the foot of the page to go to the relevant subject pages... So you want to be a better writer?10 Ways to Boost Your Writing
1. Write OftenGive yourself a boost with regular writing practices like journal writing, taking notes on your reading, and freewriting (writing quickly for 10 minutes, without stopping to think about grammar, spelling, or organization). 2. ExperimentExperiment to expand your range and abilities. Try writing for many different purposes and audiences -- try stories, memoirs, letters to the editor, and more. 3. Have Fun with your writingPlay with words, use your imagination, and tune your ear for language that tickles you. Look for pleasing words and phrases that jump out when you read them, and use them in your writing. And keep your eyes and ears peeled -- ideas and inspiration for writing are lurking everywhere. 4. Get feedbackDon't be shy about passing your writing around -- it's good experience to get feedback from friends, family, and writers you respect. 5. Read!"Read like a wolf eats!" as writer Gary Paulsen says. Read like a writer! Try to imagine why and how the author did something in a certain way and think about the techniques you use in your own writing. Use your favorite writers as models for writing practice. 6. Write Outside of English ClassUse writing to find out what you know, not just in English class, but also in other subjects and in ordinary life. The funny thing about writing is that it actually helps you think! Whether it's a math problem or a magazine article, writing about it can help you think it through and make connections. 7. Learn the Tricks of the TradeIf writer's block is making it hard to get started, try brainstorming, clustering, looking for ideas in your journal or writer's notebook, or imitating the first lines of your favorite novels. 8. Write What You KnowThere's no need to make each piece your life's history, but do find your topics, descriptions, dialogue, and ideas in your own life's experiences. 9. Revise and EditWork first on developing and drafting your ideas. Revise, revise, revise! Then edit for correct grammar and spelling. Try this technique used by professional editors: Don't search for every type of error at once -- use separate readings of your document to find and correct different types of errors. Your close attention to revising and editing will make your writing clearer to your audience. 10. Start a Writing FolderSave your writings in a writing folder or notebook and occasionally take time to review and reflect. Ask yourself what you like about a piece, what you don't like, and what you would like to change. Your writing notebook will help you choose areas that you still want to work on, and will be a rich source for new ideas.
The notes below show how we define various works...
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