5 Simple Writing Tips
5 Simple Writing Tips By Marissa LaRocca, author of Starving in Search of Me: A Coming-of-Age Story of Overcoming an Eating Disorder and Finding Self-Acceptance and moderator for the Launch Your Dream Book Course.
1. Show, Don’t Tell Writing can be more evocative, immersive, and interesting to read when a writer incorporates imagery. Imagery is writing that paints a picture using descriptions that appeal to any of the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Try to create a feeling or thought in your reader through what you show them, rather than telling your reader how they should think and feel. In the following two examples, Example #1 does not incorporate imagery. Example #2 does. Can you feel the difference? Example #1: Susan was afraid of the dark. She heard a knocking at her door in the middle of the night. It woke her up. She missed her boyfriend and figured it was probably him. But she was too scared to move. Example #2: Susan awoke to waves of thunderous knocking at her door. She trembled, itchy and restless beneath her tattered bed sheet as her alarm clock blinked “3AM.” She tried to move but her limbs felt as heavy as cement and so she lay, staring aimlessly into the blackness. The scent of Jack’s cologne lingered on her pillow.
Want to learn IIN’s step-by-step strategy to write, design, and self-publish your book, whether you’re a first-time author or seasoned publisher? Grab a seat in our Supported or Self-Paced Learning Experience by enrolling online today!
2. You don’t need to include every detail When telling any kind of story in your writing, keep your reader in mind. It isn’t important to include any details that don’t move the story along. Sure, it may have happened in your life as part of the story. But if there is a detail that doesn’t add value to your overall message, or move it along, then leave it out altogether. You may decide to embellish parts of your story that do add value. And this will make up for the parts you leave out.
3. Hook Your Reader Right Away You want to hook your reader immediately—as a writer, that’s your job. To grab your reader’s attention and keep them engaged. If you’re writing a fiction book, you may decide to begin in the middle of an action scene, or in the middle of a compelling argument or conversation between two characters. You don’t have to write in order and you don’t have to start at the beginning. If you’re writing a nonfiction book, you might begin with a personal anecdote. Just be sure to establish right away: • Your relationship to the topic you’re writing about. • Why you feel passionate about this topic. • What your reader can expect to get out of reading your book.
4. If it’s not enjoyable to write, it probably won’t be enjoyable to read If there are parts of your book that feel daunting to write, ask yourself, is it necessary to write that part? Your first book shouldn’t require a ton of research (this will apply if you’re writing a nonfiction book, such as a self-help book or a book on a specific health condition or topic). If you’re writing more of a memoir, you can expect for some sections to be more difficult or emotional to write than others, depending on the subject matter. But if the writing is not therapeutic at the very least, then leave it out!
Want to learn IIN’s step-by-step strategy to write, design, and self-publish your book, whether you’re a first-time author or seasoned publisher? Grab a seat in our Supported or Self-Paced Learning Experience by enrolling online today!
5. Stay Connected Meditate! Read! Go out into the world and have conversations with people about topics you are writing about! Writing a book is no small feat, and it can be very isolating if you go at it all alone without accountability, support, inspiration, and interaction with others. As humans, we are social creatures after all. Many writers have said their writing flows best when they maintain a spiritual practice and social connectedness. So step outside. Take a walk through nature. Writing is thinking, and thinking can happen anywhere—you don’t have to be sitting down with a pen and paper, or sitting in front of your computer. Writing your thoughts down is only the final step in the process. I’d also recommend putting excerpts of your work out there before your book is published (in a blog, video, or other form). Getting some immediate feedback as you go can help you to stay inspired, invigorated, and connected to your mission.
Want to learn IIN’s step-by-step strategy to write, design, and self-publish your book, whether you’re a first-time author or seasoned publisher? Grab a seat in our Supported or Self-Paced Learning Experience by enrolling online today!
What you’ll learn in the Launch Your Dream Book Course: Whether you have a story to share that others will connect with, becoming an author has always been your dream, or you’re a Health Coach looking to attract new clients, build your brand, and enhance your credibility – then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created two versions of the Launch Your Dream Book Course to satisfy every writer’s journey – no matter your needs or desires! You can sign up for the Supported Learning Experience ($995), which provides step-by-step mentorship, support, and accountability. Connect with classmates and your course moderators – published authors who have gone through the process themselves – on monthly live calls and daily in a private Facebook group. This structured version will hold you accountable to finishing your book in a set time frame, which hundreds of IIN students have successfully accomplished! Or you can join the Self-Paced Learning Experience ($695), which contains the same valuable information but lets you go at your own pace. You won’t have access to the call series or private Facebook group, though, as the live support is exclusive to the Supported Learning Experience. Whether you’re looking to write a memoir, cookbook, children’s story, or self-help book, the Launch Your Dream Book Course will equip you with the skills and tools you need to launch your own best seller. In this course, we’ll cover the basics of writing a book – from identifying your ideal reader and crafting your voice to constructing an outline and writing a compelling introduction. We’ll also provide an in-depth overview of the self-publishing process – including tips and tutorials for two of the biggest outlets. You’ll learn how to create a book you love, whether you’re taking a do-ityourself approach with a $0 budget or hiring a team of professionals. You’ll also get access to IIN’s tried-and-true strategies for putting yourself out there to the media, your network, and the public, including how to achieve Amazon Best Seller status. By the end of this course, you’ll be a better writer, and will boost your confidence, expand your reach, and make more money doing what you love.
Enroll online now at: https://www.integrativenutrition.com/advanced/launch-your-dream-book