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–Russian proverb. In projects small and large–everything from an email to a book–we often struggle to develop and state a clear point. Too often, we spit out a mess of ideas rather than deliver a clear message. The result is confusion–for both the writer and the reader.
Jan 31, 2022 · The “one idea” rule is a simple concept that can help you sharpen your writing, persuade others by presenting your argument in a clear, concise, and engaging way. What exactly does the rule...
There are various ways to generate ideas for your writing. People think and learn differently, so try them all and choose the one that’s best for you—although if you have never tried freewriting or “moodling,” described below, I strongly encourage you to try them both at least once.
- Use Writing Prompt Cards
- Play A What-If Game
- Learn The Craft
- Read Widely
- Be Inspired by Reality
- Draw Creativity from Other Stories
- Take A Walk
- Keep A Notebook
- Start with A Character
- Try A New Genre
Perhaps the blank page in front of you is giving you serious writer’s block, or perhaps you’re already halfway through the first draft of your novel and your ideas for where to go next have completely dried up. Either way, writing prompt cards can save you. A deck of cards like the Storyworld create-a-story series, or Oblique Strategies devised by ...
Malorie Blackmanshares her writing process in her BBC Maestro online writing course. One way the prolific author comes up with ideas is by playing a what-if game as she goes about her daily life. Malorie shares that this has been the catalyst for several of her most popular novels. What if a boy needed a heart transplant, but the only available don...
Honing your writing skills is a sure-fire way to feel inspired to write. Read some recommended books about the craft of writing or take an online writing courseto learn from famous writers themselves. “There’s inspiration that comes from listening to writers talking about writing,” says Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio in his screenwriting course.
We all have our favourite books – but what happens when you step outside of your reading comfort zone? “I would suggest that you be as omnivorous as possible – read everything,” Alan Moore suggests in his online storytelling course. “Don’t differentiate between the highest pinnacles of literature and the lowest slums of pulp and genre. Everything i...
Everyday life can be inspiring when you stop to notice the finer details. Whether you’re drawing from your own life experiences or are taking ideas from a news story, once you become an observer you’ll find inspiration is everywhere. “Take stimuli from the real world – watch TV, read books, watch the news, read newspapers, listen to your friends’ a...
Could Alice In Wonderland have inspired L. Frank Baum to write The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz? And was Harry Potter inspired in part by Star Wars? David Walliamsdraws on the similarities of these famous novels in his online writing course. “Certain stories work for a reason,” says David. “If you’re going down the route of storytelling yourself, it’s ve...
Many writers throughout history have stumbled upon their greatest ideas when simply taking a walk outside. “Go for a walk. I find the very best ideas often come when I’m moving about,” says Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson. The very act of moving around can help your mind wander, taking the pressure off the immediate need to come up with an idea or...
It’s the secret weapon of every writer: the humble notebook. Keep a notepad and pen on you at all times and you’ll always be prepared to write down your ideas when inspiration strikes. “If I get an idea that isn’t fully-fledged, I write it down,” says Julia Donaldson in her writing course, as she explains how she returns to her notebook when in nee...
Remember, most stories are driven by characters. So if you’re struggling to come up with a story idea, then try to come up with a character first. Using our free character bio template downloadis a great starting point. Ask yourself – what problem could this character have? What’s different about them? What do they want? And what are they prepared ...
If you always write in one particular genre, but you’re looking to generate some new story ideas, try writing in a genre that’s completely new to you. It could be time-travelling sci-fi or historical romance (or even a combination of both?!) but simply trying something new could be just the refresh your writing needs. Ready to take your creative wr...
Nov 17, 2014 · Generating ideas is the least methodical and most creative step in academic writing. There are infinite ways to generate ideas, but no sure-fire way to come up with a good one. This article outlines some tips and techniques for choosing a topic – use the ones that work best for you.
Jul 21, 2022 · Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument. In an essay or paper, each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.
Apr 24, 2020 · Good academic writing requires effective planning, drafting, and revision. The writing process looks different for everyone, but there are five basic steps that will help you structure your time when writing any kind of text.
