It may seem strange, but if you write the ending first you have something to aim for, and will have a better idea of what needs to happen in the middle of the story to get your characters to the ending you’ve written.
Chain Reaction
All good stories start with an ‘inciting incident’ – something happens! The best stories then progress because of the way characters react to that event. A good plot should be like a line of dominoes or a chain reaction – when the first event happens, it has a knock-on effect.
Instead of a story being: ‘This happened, then this, then this, and finally this.’
It should be: ‘This happened, which caused this, which then made this happen which gives us this ending.’
Write down the main events of your story. Do they lead on from one another or are they quite separate? Try to turn the events into a chain reaction before writing out the full story.
Expanding Vocabulary
Use a thesaurus to find stronger, more specific word choices. Be careful though! Some of the words it suggests will have a slightly different meaning. Use a dictionary to double check the new word still makes sense in the sentence.
Be Specific
A really easy way to improve writing by using richer vocabulary is to be specific. Using more precise words to describe what is happening or the scene can lift a piece of writing. It gives the reader a clearer image in their mind, and sometimes using fewer words too!
E.g.
He ran quickly – He sprinted
Plants covered the gravestones – Ivy covered the gravestones
He gave her a bunch of flowers – He gave her a bunch of tulips
She walked carefully into the old, crumbling building – She crept into the derelict church
Check over your work and see if there are any words that could be more specific.
Pace
The atmosphere and tone of a story can be shown by the length of sentences which indicate pace. Short sentences are quicker and give a speedy, urgent tone. Longer sentences with conjunctions give a slower, calmer tone.
E.g.
Bang! Crash! He ran. Doors slammed behind him. There was no way out.
He went through the house, checking each door as he went but they were all locked. He realised there was no way out.
Can you see the difference in the two examples? Think about which style would work best for your story. (Don't overdo it on the short sentences though, it can get tiresome for the reader if overdone!)
Sentence Starters
Challenge yourself to alter how your sentences begin by using a range of fronted adverbials:
• When e.g. before; after; at midnight; yesterday
• Where e.g. under; behind; at the…
• How e.g. suddenly; quietly; carefully, angrily
Proofreading
Read your story backwards! When the brain isn't concentrating on the overall sentences or plot, you are more likely to spot spelling mistakes.
Use a dictionary to check any spellings that you are unsure of.
Change the font and reread it - just seeing it in a different style can help you spot spelling or grammar errors.
Consistency is Key
Are all the character and place names spelt the same way throughout the story?
Have you used the same tense (past or present) throughout the story?
Have you used the same narrator (first or third person) throughout the story?
We hope you have found some of these tips useful. What's your top tip for great writing? Let us know in the comments!
