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Mastering the Craft: Practical Writing Tips to Elevate Your Skills

By Megan Matthews on April 2, 2025

You know, sometimes when I’m sitting with my friend Lucy over a cup of coffee, our conversations often drift towards writing, a shared passion of ours. Recently, we were chatting about the little things we do to level up our writing game. It got me thinking about all the practical tips and strategies we’ve picked up over the years that have helped us craft those stories that linger in the minds of readers, long after they've turned the last page.

Understand Your Characters Inside Out

One of the things Lucy mentioned—and I couldn’t agree more—is the importance of understanding our characters deeply. It’s not just about what they say or do, but also why they do it. Characters are the backbone of your story, after all.

Start by spending some quality time with them. Ask yourself questions about their childhood, their dreams, and their fears. Are they coffee drinkers like Lucy and I, or do they prefer tea? Do they hit the snooze button five times before getting out of bed or are they up with the dawn? The answers might never make it to your manuscript, but knowing them helps create more authentic characters.

Create Rich, Vivid Settings

Another pearl of wisdom from our coffee chat was how powerful settings can transport readers to another world. Lucy reminisced about her favorite books and how the settings were so vividly described that she could almost hear the rustling of leaves or feel the warmth of the summer sun just by reading them.

It’s crucial to engage all the senses when crafting your environment: sound, smell, touch, and sight. Paint the picture in broad strokes but don't forget the finer details—the texture of the bark on ancient trees or the faint aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through a sleepy village street.

Strategies to Craft an Unforgettable Plot

Having a gripping plot is another key element we talked about. We shared a few actionable strategies that have worked wonders:

Start with a hook: Create intrigue from the get-go. Whether it’s a shocking event or a pressing question, your opening should have readers yearning for more.
Know your story arc: Even if you’re a pantser, having a loose idea of where your story is heading can help maintain focus.
Raise the stakes: Keep the tension alive by constantly challenging your characters, making readers eager to see how they’ll react.

Feedback is Your Best Friend

Lucy and I have often discussed how valuable feedback can be. It’s not always easy to hear criticism, but constructive feedback can be the torch that leads you out of the dark alleys of narrative ambivalence. Friends, family, or writing groups can provide different perspectives, often spotting plot holes or inconsistencies that we might’ve missed ourselves.

Remember, feedback isn't an attack. It's an opportunity to refine your craft, so embrace it with open arms and a readiness to improve!