Good writing isn’t magic—it’s a series of small, smart choices. Here’s how to make them.
Writing is an art that takes imagination, a craft that demands skill, and a business that requires strategy.
But let’s be real—sometimes it feels like stumbling through a maze blindfolded. For every breakthrough moment, there are days when you question every word you put down.
That’s why we’re giving you 101 of the best pieces of writing advice you can have in your writing arsenal—tips that will help you conquer the blank page, bring your stories to life, and navigate the industry like a pro.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, this list of our best writing tips is designed to make writing feel a little less like guesswork and a lot more like magic.
Let’s get to it.
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The Art of Writing
- Embrace the first draft as a starting point—don’t strive for perfection on the first go.
- The best writers all started with messy beginnings; the difference is they finished and revised.
- Use writing prompts to kickstart your imagination if you’re facing a blank page.
- The key to great writing is to develop your unique voice—don’t try to sound like anyone else.
- Mark Twain said it best: “Write what you know,” but remember, it’s also about exploring what you don’t.
- Don’t shy away from your own imperfections; they make your own writing distinctive and real.
- Writer’s block often comes from overthinking—write anything just to get words on the page.
- In creative writing, there’s no wrong way, only different methods of discovery.
- Always let your main characters lead the story—what they want and do drives the narrative.
- The writing process is different for everyone; find what fits you and make it a habit.
- The first draft is about getting words down; editing is where you make it art.
- Revisit your work with fresh eyes after taking a break; distance can make problem areas clearer.
- Stephen King once gave the following piece of advice: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
- Use short stories to practice capturing emotion and imagery in a limited space.
- A useful rule of thumb: if you get bored writing it, your reader will be bored reading it.
- Good character motivation is essential; great main characters have flaws and desires that are relatable.
- Don’t be afraid to say yes to bold ideas—they’re often what give your writing depth and uniqueness.
- Ernest Hemingway taught us that good stories are like icebergs; leave much beneath the surface.
- Great fiction writers make even mundane moments meaningful by adding layers of emotion or insight.
- Remember, great writers rewrite—editing and rewriting are crucial to any piece of writing.
- When dealing with nonfiction or academic writing, storytelling still matters—keep the reader engaged.
- A good exercise in the writing process is to practice a short story every week—it hones your skills.
- Write with honesty and vulnerability; readers connect most to truth and raw emotions.
- Use writing prompts when you’re stuck, but don’t let them limit your imagination—take them as a starting point.
- The best writers don’t fear failure; they fear not trying.
- Remember, Mark Twain said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started”—so write, even if it feels imperfect.
- Use pacing to create tension in dramatic moments—make readers feel the urgency.
- Your unique voice is what will make readers remember you—trust it.
- Set main characters in motion and then let them surprise you in real time—organic behavior is often the most compelling.
- Trust your intuition; good writing often comes from a place that logic can’t always explain.
- Don’t let a lot of people influence your writing style—write the story you would love to read.
- Every piece of writing you complete adds to your writing skills—keep creating, even if it’s small.
- There’s beauty in vulnerability—don’t polish away every rough edge; sometimes imperfection makes for great writing.
The Craft of Writing
- Use active voice whenever possible—it’s direct, clear, and keeps the reader engaged.
- Avoid excessive passive voice, as it weakens your writing and makes it harder for readers to connect.
- Choose strong verbs to give your sentences power—“she sprinted” is better than “she ran quickly.”
- Pay attention to word choice; the right words make all the difference between bland and vivid prose.
- Write short sentences and short paragraphs to maintain a brisk, readable flow.
- Good writers eliminate unnecessary words.
- Show, don’t tell—instead of stating emotions, show your characters’ actions and reactions.
- Remember, too, that sometimes telling is more efficient, especially for less important information.
- Don’t get lost in backstory; only provide what’s needed to enrich the current events in your story.
- Be careful with adverbs; use them sparingly and instead rely on stronger verbs for impact.
- Use commas correctly to create natural pauses, but refrain from overusing them to avoid breaking the flow.
- Great sentence structure is all about variety—mix short sentences with longer ones to keep readers interested.
- Trim the filler—lean writing is strong writing.
- Proofreading is key to clean writing; catch every typo before others do.
- Keep your point of view consistent; a clear perspective helps readers stay immersed.
- The first sentence of any piece is crucial—grab the reader right from the start.
- Avoid cliches; they weaken your writing and make it less original.
- Read The Elements of Style by Strunk and White to get a solid foundation in clarity and conciseness.
- Use semicolons sparingly—they’re most effective when used to link related thoughts clearly.
- Aim for clarity above all—good writing is easy to follow, not overly complicated.
- Avoid head-hopping; maintain a clear point of view throughout each scene to prevent confusion.
- Use rereading as a tool; go over your work multiple times to catch errors and refine style.
- Avoid opening your story with excessive exposition—dive into the action instead.
- Opt for strong verbs over adverb-verb combinations; “whispered” instead of “spoke softly.”
- Don’t overuse commas—too many can make your writing feel cluttered.
- High school may have taught rigid English grammar rules, but bending them leads to a more compelling writing style.
- Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot, not just to fill space.
- Keep transitions between scenes smooth to maintain narrative flow and keep readers engaged.
- Balance your dialogue tags; use “said” most often, and skip fancy tags unless they add something necessary.
- Remember that fiction writers should still strive for plausibility—characters need realistic motivations.
- Don’t info-dump—sprinkle in details and world-building elements naturally throughout the story.
- Be mindful of repetitive sentence starters—vary how you begin sentences to keep the writing dynamic and interesting.
- Vary your sentence structure to maintain rhythm—monotony can lose a reader’s interest.
- Use sensory language—engage sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to create a vivid experience for readers.
The Business of Writing
- Building a writing habit is key—whether you’re self-publishing or submitting to publishers, consistency is essential.
- Marketing is part of the game; social media is a powerful tool to build your platform and audience.
- Writing a good book is just the beginning; selling it takes hard work and a solid plan.
- Treat your writing like a full-time job, even if you’re just starting—it’s all about discipline and mindset.
- Set achievable word count goals to keep your productivity up, whether you’re writing your first book or your tenth.
- For first-time authors, don’t overlook the value of building an email list; those first readers are crucial.
- Self-publishing on platforms like Amazon gives you creative control, but you also need a strong marketing strategy.
- Keep going even after rejections; every professional writer has been turned down at some point.
- Participate in open calls for submission to build your portfolio and get your name out there.
- Building relationships with other freelancers, authors, copywriters, and editors can help you improve your craft and find opportunities.
- Being successful as a writer is a blend of creativity and hard work—keep writing, keep submitting.
- Young writers often think publishing success happens overnight, but it’s a long game—perseverance is key.
- Set aside time for promotion; a good book needs visibility to be successful.
- If you want to become a full-time author, diversify your income streams—books, speaking, workshops, etc.
- Focus on creating a strong body of work, not just one book; success often comes from consistency.
- If it’s your first time submitting work, understand the market—research the publishers or magazines.
- Build a website that showcases your work and acts as your professional portfolio.
- Set your freelance rates based on your experience and research market standards—don’t undervalue your skills.
- Understand that self-publishing doesn’t mean doing it all alone—professional help is worth the investment.
- Consider your genre and reader expectations; a good book fits the market while still offering something unique.
- Learn how to write a strong query letter—this is your first impression for many agents and editors, so make it count.
- A New York Times bestseller is a dream, but it’s not the only measure of success.
- Publishing is a business—learn about contracts, royalties, and your rights as an author.
- Set realistic sales goals for your books; understanding your market will help set achievable benchmarks for success.
- Consider hiring a book publicist if you’re struggling to generate buzz—good marketing can significantly impact your sales.
- Amazon reviews can make or break your book; don’t be afraid to encourage readers to leave them.
- Many professional writers have day jobs; it’s okay if writing isn’t your main income source yet.
- Always have your next project in the works, even while promoting the current one—keep writing.
- Understand the self-publishing process—from ISBNs to formatting—so you’re well-prepared.
- Learn about royalty structures for both traditional and self-publishing, so you understand how and when you’ll get paid.
- Keep a realistic view of your word count; longer doesn’t always mean better in the world of publishing.
- Build strong relationships with freelance clients—repeat work and referrals often come from satisfied clients who trust your reliability and quality.
- For first-time writers, hiring an editor can make the difference between a mediocre book and a good book.
- Keep reading the work of successful and famous authors in your genre; learning from the best writers will help improve your own craft.
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