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Oct 2024

A thing I do is go through every scene to list what the scene accomplishes and what would be different if you cut the whole scene. I also imagine the dialogue being said aloud but of course that's basic stuff.

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    Oct '24
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    Oct '24
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Writing down key characters and events that happen in the story,writing future elements and the right possible moment to introduce it to the story.
Basically keeping note of random brainstorming sessions

Make character design sheets. It will help you flesh your characters out more and keep track of details about them. Sometimes creating the sheet helps you spawn even more ideas for backstory as well, and you can incorporate that into your stories.

if it's been a minute since you wrote your last chapter, reread it before working on the new one. it'll help you maintain the vibe.

find songs that suit the vibe of your story well, and play them while writing a specific scene to help you channel that emotion.

daydream constantly from your character's pov. If you hear about a random situation or even a very common one, think how your characters would respond to that situation. it helps you solidify personalities, and sometimes you can include those scenes in your stories too (for instance, i was watching a video about women's pregnancy cravings and imagined what my MC would be like if she was pregnant, and how her husband would respond to her asking him to bring her her pregnancy craving at an unholy hour.)

I use the "Read Aloud" tool in Microsoft Word. It helps me catch typos, weird dialogue, pacing, etc. Not too complicated character sheets since, while writing the story, they will keep growing. I'm half panster and half outliner, so things change along the writing. Also, I make sure to do a Spotify playlist with the vibe and song that might fit my characters. I use Reedsy Editor to write my story since it's like Scrivener but a free online version, and even tho I have Scrivener, at least it autosaves what I write, and I can even do it on my phone.

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It's probably said already but for me, I try to get into character for each of my characters and write it like watching a movie :slight_smile:

Honestly? Join a local writing group. Just knowing I'll be taking my work in front of a group, reading it outload to that group, and getting their reactions to it has made me so much better than when I'm just posting it anonymously. I don't have a screen to hide behind-- I have to stand with my writing and take total ownership of it. And, having meetings as a set deadline has helped way more than personally set deadlines have ever helped me. I know I have to have something new written and prepped for my meetings so I find I'll be far more productive. On top of all that, getting that outside input as you go is also so helpful, as is how you critique other's writing. You can always take advice for them to help you out as well. I would recommend, though I don't know how much of a "trick" this is...

Hah I don't really have followers to push me in any meaningful way. I'm just a little no body. My comics might be decent sized on other platforms, but it seems like my writing ain't it and thus I gotta seek out accountability and validation other ways lest I let my writing drop by the wayside in favor of comics... again. :sweat:

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