It’s time to hack up a lung…and also some tips on how to make your writing life 10000% easier.
Or maybe that’s a bit ambitious. Perhaps, 2% easier is a little more attainable. Because as they say: why aim big when you can aim small and take a nap after lunch! *
Anyway, as you may know: I am a writer. And I’ve been writing seriously for eight years so clearly I’m a terrific genius at it by now. I’ve picked up tips and tricks and hacks that have been seriously helpful and nothing has ever gone wrong while putting them into practise. Except for the writing hack that involved an actual sharpened axe and the soul of a local boy and twelve goats and–
But that’s not so important.
What’s important is today I’m sharing some writing #lifehacks that you can use everyday around the house, like lemon detergent or murderous knives. Good luck!!
And if anyone asks where you got these tips…haha…it wasn’t from me.
* Actually ok I’m pretty sure no one says that but I think it’s a worthwhile thing to start saying??? We would all do better with more naps.
ALSO WHILE YOU’RE HERE….other helpful #lifehack posts you might like!
LIFE HACK #1: WRITE YOUR BOOK’S SYNOPSIS BEFORE THE ACTUAL BOOK.
We all complain how heinous synopses are to write. Like how do you sum up an 80,000 word book in TWO PARAGRAPHS?!?? So easy: sum up a 0-word book in two paragraphs. It’s honestly easier to pinpoint your plot, character goals, message, and plot twists when your brain isn’t filled up with all the other cool stuff going into the novel.
It’s okay if your book deviates. But you have the BONES here!! It’s so nice to have bones lying around to work with!! *
This is also excellent practise if you intend to be traditionally published, because oftentimes you’re asked to submit pitches before you’ve written the book. Practise now! Save on all the stress chocolate you’ll have to buy later.
* I feel like I’m required to admit I’m talking about, um, metaphorical bones. Those actual human bones in your closet?? Yeah, keep them there. Don’t get them out.
LIFE HACK #2: WRITING A QUERY? WRITE IT LIKE YOUR CHARACTER IS SPEAKING AND THEN TWEAK IT INTO QUERY FORMAT AFTERWARDS.
This is especially if your book is in 1st person…write your query in 1st person, and then switch it to 3rd so it sounds like a blurb. Let your character’s voice shine through to make the summary extra hooky. And if your character’s voice makes the query sound boring?? BOOM. You maybe just realised your character needs work.
Double life hack.
Woah I’m good at this.
LIFE HACK #3: NOT ENOUGH TIME TO WRITE? TRY SACRIFICING YOUR COUSIN TO THE TIME DEITIES FOR EXTRA MINUTES.
Failing a cousin, you can use a sibling or a local neighbour. The annoying ones are the best to pick because we all know annoying people make time go very slow and that’s what you want!! Slowing down time! This hack is best completed at midnight. Not because the ritual works better then, but because you don’t want to be seen and people assume you’re weird.
You’re not weird, hahah, obviously.
LIFE HACK #4: FEELING UNMOTIVATED TO CREATE STORIES? YOUR CREATIVE STOMACH IS PROBABLY LOW.
Usually people say “creative tank” and then follow up with a metaphor like filling a car with petrol so you can continue moving. But I feel like “creative stomach” is MUCH more accurate. Because you need to go eat art. Eating art is very tasty. Sometimes, especially if it’s a painting, it causes death due to paint-poisoning, but don’t let little details put you off!! You need to eat all the art you can.
Consume books, TV shows, movies, music, and visuals. This is 500% a good excuse to use pinterest. If people accuse you of wasting time there — REMIND THEM YOU ARE STOCKING UP ON VISUALS FOR YOUR CREATIVE STOMACH. You neeeeeeeed to consume art if you’re going to make it.
LIFE HACK #5: IS YOUR PLOT BORING? USE TROPES FROM OPPOSITE GENRES.
Okay so your fantasy plot line has everything a good fantasy plot should have. It it’s still dull? I’VE GOT GOOD NEWS = shake things up by smooshing your genre + typical plotlines from other genres together. This is destined to either work really well or send your whole book up in flames. 10/10 recommend.
- Two teens with mental health struggles fall in love (typical contemporary) ON A QUEST TO TAME DRAGONS (oh now it’s fantasy).
- Kid wants to do art, parents want them to be a doctor (typical contemporary) IN A WORLD WHERE ART IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH (oh now it’s dystopian).
- Orphan prophesied to be the chosen one (typical fantasy) TAKE OUT THE MAGIC AND MAKE THEM LONELY CHILD GENIUS (oh now it’s contemporary). *
* Holy heck I want to write all these I came up with in like 3 seconds flat. NaNo?
LIFE HACK #6: NEED TO EDIT? CHANGE YOUR FONT / SIZE / SCREEN TYPE TO SHAKE YOUR BRAIN UP.
This beats taking your brain out of your skull and shaking it up that way, because apparently that kills. Still open to being corrected on that??? Let me know if you’ve tried it.
It’s easier to catch typos and mistakes if your brain isn’t used to the way something looks. Change your font. Make it bigger. Print it out. Stop your brain being complacent because it “thinks it knows what is coming”. Your brain can be really rude like that. Sit down, Brian, what are you doing.
LIFE HACK #7: EAT CHOCOLATE.
This is the ultimate life hack and if people aren’t giving you this advice, then you’re hanging with the wrong people.
Also put food in your books. It makes it more relatable and gives me dinner ideas. And my welfare is always your #1 priority obviously.
LIFE HACK #8: WANT TO WRITE A BOOK? INSTEAD HOW ABOUT YOU RUN FAR AWAY AND DON’T THINK ABOUT THIS AGAIN WHILE YOU RAISE SHEEP IN ICELAND SENSIBLY.
#Quality #Advice
LIFE HACK #9: MAKE YOUR WRITING MORE DIMENSIONAL BY USING TINY BUT POWERFUL DESCRIPTIONS.
Most of us writers try to describe like the whole DARN HOUSE or exactly what the character is wearing, but it packs much more of a punch if you use really pointed by small descriptions. Her dress is blue but the hem is unravelling. The house is old but there’s moss growing between the bricks.
And don’t forget the underused senses! Like textures and smells!
The aim here is to fully have your book punch your reader. Make your book become one with your reader. Absorb them. Take their soul and sell it in darkest Peru.
LIFE HACK #10: DON’T LET YOUR CHARACTERS’ NAMES ALL START WITH THE SAME LETTER.
Because reader eyeballs are lazy and we only notice the first few letters of a name. So when Molly and Miffy are in the same novel there is a 100% chance I don’t have a clue who is who. And I never know who is who anyway because names are freaking hard, man. What even is my name. I’m not even sure.
LIFE HACK #11: LEAVE YOUR LAPTOP ALONE WITH YOUR EDITING NOTES SO IT’LL GET STARTED BY ITSELF.
I’m totally sure Scrivener has this function and I’ve just yet to figure out how to activate it. But 10/10 recommend giving your laptop a chance to actually be useful in life.
No one wants a barnacle and leech on society, DO YOU HEAR THAT, MY DEAR MACBOOK?????
LIFE HACK #12: CONFUSED ABOUT WRITING?
Ya me too. We should start a club with neat matching shirts and have a stellar afternoon tea with crumpets and jam and get nothing done.
LIFE HACK #13: DON’T LET YOURSELF GET SUPER SUCKED INTO RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR 1ST DRAFT.
If you’re a research fiend you’ll just end up procrastinating and tHEN you’ll try to incorporate 3989 cool facts into your book and make it about as interesting as eating porridge while sitting in a puddle. Do a small amount of research, but get the preliminary draft down NOW. Once you know the story is good = get thee onto that research in earnest. In fact, get Ernest to do it. You can take a break and eat nine cakes. You deserve it.
LIFE HACK #14: THE TERM “KILL YOUR DARLINGS” ACTUALLY MEANS CUT EXCESS WORDS…NOT MURDER ALL YOUR CHARACTERS.
I’M DISAPPOINTED TOO. I have so so many manuscripts that are confused now…
But anyway.
CUT CUT CUT. Look at each sentence and see if you can condense it. No joke, I just cut 1,000 words from a manuscript taking out silly filler words alone. (Ex: saying “he stood up” when “he stood” is enough. And putting in too many actions like “He walked to the fridge, opened the door, got the milk, poured a glass…” when you can say “HE POURED HIMSELF A GLASS OF MILK FOR GOODNESS SAKES CALM DOWN”.)
Also cut extra scenes that don’t advance the plot.
And kill some characters to ok let’s just pretend the phrase also means that because it’s fun.
LIFE HACK #15: TITLE YOUR BOOK BY CRYING OVER IT AND HOPING YOUR TEARS FORM WORDS.
Because titling is freaking hard. And if we see another book with “throne” or “bone” or “glass” or “game” or “queen” in it, we are going to lose it and burn down the moon.
You can also title your book AFTER you write it and pick out a cool phrase you use in the book. This is why my latest novel is called “CAIT IS FREAKING SCREAMING.” It’s catchy. Totally know my agent will go for it.
LIFE HACK #16: INSTEAD OF CHASING PLOT BUNNIES, EAT THEM.
They taste very good with a little sauce and in a little pie. Also, alternately, when you get thumped with that dying need to write something new even though you’re in the middle of a freaking other project — outline it instead.
It calms the plot bunnies. Settles them down. Sing them a sweet lullaby as you put them in a chill place to mature.
If you outline a plot bunny (even if it’s just a few pages) you (a) won’t forget it, and (b) you chill on that need to WRITE IT ALL RIGHT NOW.
LIFE HACK #17: DON’T BE A PIECE OF FUNGI. FINISH WHAT YOU STARTTTTTT.
You know how your parents said you wouldn’t grow big and strong unless you ate all your broccoli? Well they TOLD THE TRUTH. I didn’t eat my broccoli and I’m only 5’1.
Also. This also applies to writing. You CAN’T GROW AS A WRITER unless you finish that draft.
Even if it sucks and is crappy and is ugh. Finish it. You can edit a pile of limp seaweed. You can’t edit air. In fact I have tips on how to write the perfect first draft. I also have tips on how to get your dog to be your handy secretary and fetch you warm drinks and pretzels so take my advice at your own risk.
LIFE HACK #18: ALWAYS HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA ON HAND WHILE WRITING.
This way when you set fire to your hair in frustration, you’ll be able to put yourself out. Very much recommend. Chargrilled author isn’t as pleasant as it tastes.
Um.
UM, I MEAN SOUNDS. SOUNDS. I DO NOT EAT PEOPLE HAHA.
I don’t.
Okay we’re done here, since you’re going to look at me with so much suspicious condescension. Gee.
omg the broccoli though XD XD I’m laughing so hard. THESE ARE ALL EXCELLENT POINTS. I’ve currently got to the point with my book that I’m about to start rewriting it for the third time with the anticipation that I’ll successfully get to the end this time and not fall down a plot hole. A most unfortunate end to my previous drafts.
It’s so hard to still, at this point, not procrastinate by researching. I feel like I’m at the point that I really need to make sure I *do* know what my characters look like and the places they come from, otherwise I get stuck on it and can’t push through it later on. GAH. Writing is hard. Chocolate is clearly a necessity.
I did the dangerous thing yesterday of accidentally being struck quite violently by inspiration and absolutely, positutely needing to begin writing a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY. I’m pretty sure I should have finished the stupid book I’m already writing first. Gah.
Take chocolate with you so if you fall down a plot hole AT LEAST YOU HAVE SNACKS. #QualityLifeAdvice Also omg writing 3rd drafts is pretty exciting because it’s all coming together nicely by then.
And procrastinating by researching is really HARD because technically it’s “useful” but generally it’s honestly a huge ploy to put off writing.😂
Writing a query/synopsis beforehand is SO, SO, SO great. This is a trick I just only recently used… and I just know I’ll do it for all future novels, too. I find it’s so helpful to flesh out the main hook, characters, and stakes of the story. (And it also kinda gets me excited TO write/edit the book, you know?) I always, always have a title for my book before I write them. I legit don’t think I’d be capable of writing a book before I have a title, but in saying that, sometimes my title doesn’t always STICK. I might change it during edits if the storyline changes too vastly for the title to make sense anymore, or if I feel like it just doesn’t “fit.”
Amazing post, as usual! <3
YES YES EXACTLY!! And like it helps you know if your book actually has a good enough plot outline? Like if you can’t summarise the stakes and goals and climax of your story then it probably needs more work.😂
I’m the same with titles! I MUST have one but yet….it’s generally super sucky.😂
(I’m so glad you liked it thank you!!)
I can never think of titles, not even for my short stories, they have odd names like: travel journal, until I think of one after it’s done.
I agree with putting food into your story, Joanne Harris knows how to write about food, wow, that really grabs my attention in books. I agree you do need to “eat art” I was in a slump once and read a short story and it inspired me to want to write. I was researching and I really wanted to write the book so I started it.
Advice I should’ve had years ago: finish what you start! I really need to finish this novel and all the short stories that are piling up unfinished. It’s so hard in that editing stage. And my brain just doesn’t want to work right now 🙁
I love your photos! Funny post! I’ll have to bookmark this and when I’m having a writer breakdown for whatever reason (my characters are still not talking to me, my short stories are still unfinished, my laptop is playing games again) it’ll perk me up. Thanks!
Titles are so hard!! I struggle immensely. My brain insists on having a title before I write but they’re usually horrible hahah.
And omg YES like what is a book unless it’s an honourary cookbook, I ask you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Jen. 😉
#1 been there, done that.
#3 I’m rather fond of my cousins, I think I’ll use a sibling.
#4 Oh goody, an excuse to watch more star wars! 😀
#5 oh I love those ideas!
#6 hmmm….
#7 OH HECK YES.
#8 XD
#12 oooh yes, if you do that I’ll come! and we can all bring books to read so between those and the crumpets we can’t talk. 😛
#13 omw that gif XD XD XD
#17 I TECNICALLY finished it,…but it has no middle.
#18 but then I just drink the tea instead of writing. #easilydistracted
*long drawn out sigh hoping that writing will feel bad and start writing itself*
Most crazily, ~Olive
Using siblings is a TOTALLY excellent idea, especially if they’re on hand and like ripe for the sacrificing…UM I MEAN WAIT. YOU DIDN’T HEAR THAT FROM ME.😂
This post is amazing, thank you! I finished my first draft yesterday sobthe refresher on editing helps immensely.
I title some ahead of time, but most of them come to me while writing. Then I continue to refer to their by their placeholder names.
My favorite writing hack is to stop for the day/session when you still know what’s coming next. That way it’s easier to dive right back in the next day. I try to NEVER stop at the end of a chapter. I’ll force out the first couple paragraphs of the next chapter just to avoid that.
Oh I love that hack!! I always do it too! It’s helpful to start off the next day when you’re excited to write a scene, right?!
Most definitely. You waste way less time that way.
Oh these are all so great! (except for that last, slightly cannibalistic one because .. O_O.) I thought the one about writing queries in 1st person first is very smart and oh my goodness, you just saved my life, Cait, because I cannot. write. queries. Ever. But now, I guess it’ll be easier??
Great post! 🙂
Shhh that wasn’t cannibalistic, I’m SURE. I am a nice person.
Queries are really hard.😂 I’m glad it helped!!
Ooo ooo ooo! *Raises hand enthusiastically* I have one!
If you’re stuck in a scene, skip a part by writing a quick note in all caps, like “VICIOUSLY DESTROY THE GHOSTIES THEN EAT CAKE” and skip to the good parts to write. You can come back later to write the exorcism of the baker’s daughter.
Cutting words is my least favourite! Although I had a writing teacher in high school who told me to read aloud while editing. It works really well for me – I find all sorts of typos and awkwardness that way.
Also the research thing is a problem? I use history as the backbone of a lot of my fantasy and it’s soooo interesting, I get distracted reading up on things like the Spanish Inquisition!
TEACH ME HOW TO TRICK MY MACBOOK INTO EDITING THINGS.
I’ve heard of people doing that skipping-forward thing and I say GO FOR IT IF IT HELPS! I don’t do it while drafting but I definitely do it while plotting. Sometimes it’s easier to come back and fill in the pieces.😂 Saves getting blocked!
Petition for us all to trick our macbooks into working harder for us. They’re so lazy tho.
I’ll usually be in the middle of writing and be like “Here, let me use this filler title for now.” ((Ex. On The Run for my current novel)) and then I’ll be halfway through and be like “Nah, this is better.” ((It’s Stars now, much shorter and easier to remember while I cram 50 billion unnecessary world-building notes into my brain.))
I totally get that! I named a novel “Six” once…and have so many regrets haha.😂
I’m not a writer so I can’t use this excuse to justify the exorbitant amount of time I spend on Pinterest. Oh well, I’ll just blame it on the blog!
A hilarious but informative post, yet again! Good job, Cait! *sending you cake*
Oh this definitely works for blogging too *nods* Also the sacrificial rituals will work for giving extra time for blogging. I GIVE QUALITY ADVICE.
The cousins are ok and far away, so it would be the neighbors with their obnoxious and loud leaf blowers. Nobody would miss ’em. Unfortunately they don’t leaf blow at midnight. Might have to work on this.
Chocolate is on hand. All. The. Time.
Neighbours are always an excellent replacement honestly. And if they’re extra-annoying, it should make the spell work even better??? Try kidnapping them a little earlier in the day and then keeping them in the freezer until nighttime.
#Quality #Advice #From #Cait
love your hardcover raven boys sneakpeek? And you should really give us a spell for the cousin sacrificing ritual? Other than that, thank you for the tips
Omg how did I FORGET THE RECIPE FOR THE SPELL??? *facepalme* Next post.
THESE ARE SUCH GOOD TIPS!!! xD You’re the best, Cait.
I TRY TO BE HELPFUL AND SERIOUS AT ALL TIMES.
I always enjoy your writing advice, Cait! I’m disappointed about kill your darlings, too. I thought it meant killing beloved characters for a long time. XD
I’m SO disappointed. Like all these manuscripts where I killed everyone off??? *shakes head sadly*
This ^^ was sooo helpful! The first draft of my sequel novel got stuck on the backburner while I was in college and am at a loss of how to start at it again (although I now know that I clearly need more chocolate in my life). Thank you!
Emily
Honestly chocolate will fix 99% of EVERYTHING. I mean 1% of writing is probably also a good idea???? But I’m flexible.
I don’t know where to start on how insanely useful all of this is. I super super agree with needing tea and chocolate. I also love what you had to say about killing your darlings because it’s helping me realize where I am being redundant with my words.
My current WIP got titled about halfway through the creative process, which means approximately after two [very different] first drafts and before this crazy third “let’s change everything about this story” draft.
I’d also like to point out that I DID eat my broccoli, and I’m only half an inch taller than you. So maybe you didn’t miss out on too much.
I’m super glad you liked it. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS POST WITH VERY SERIOUS TIPS. *nods* Especially the ones about sacrifices and chocolate.
(Dude, so the broccoli is a LIE?!???? What is this life.)
I’m will be never ever able to write the synopsis before the actual book. Do you want me dead? Things change always a lot. It would a torture. I prefer a general outline. And see how much my book becomes bigger and bigger. Like a dough: it rise.
And cutting, yes! I’m doing it right now but I’m going to it again after my beta readers’ final corrections. I write in Italian and it has a lot of “che” or “di”, “in”, “con” and other numerous way to attach words… it’s not an immediate language like English. And when you speak is easy to use them, because between italians we speak quite fast, It isn’t a thing that you notice at first. Is when writing that things go bad.
Well like obviously I don’t mean cut words that make the sentence make sense. I mean cut unnecessary phrases. Like I said in the post, sometimes we detail like EVERY ACTION of a character, when it’s unnecessary and tedious.
Neither was I 😂 I was saying how in Italian some kind of phrases can constructed in a lot of way but I also use a lot of proposition while writing, so in the end the text become quite tedious to read and extra long. It happens tthat I use them where I can easily re-arrange the phrase in another way, yet it doesn’t come naturally to me. So it was cutting in that sense also. I explained myself quite badly 😂
Oh I misunderstood!!😂 No worries!!
I’m laughing so hard, I can’t even. XD
Typically I title my books after I write them, but my current WIP, “Angelica,” actually had its title before it had the majority of its plot or characters (well except I obviously already had the character named Angelica lol). It just felt right, and now I can’t imagine changing it, even though I typically way overthink my titles. *rolls eyes*
You may have posted about this before and I just can’t remember, but I would love to hear tips on the process of finding an agent!
I totally get that when like the “working title” because the real title. 😂😂 I always start writing with a title but like IT’S USUALLY HORRIBLE and I have to change it.😂
I should totally do a post on finding an agent! *adds on to-do list*
MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED. Very helpful tips, 10/10 would recommend.
You have officially revolutionized my writing life. I’m gonna start writing synopsis’ before the book (ALSO WHAT IN TARNATION IS THE PLURAL OF SYNOPSIS. SYNOPSI? WHAT A MYSTERY).
I think it’s synopses ????? But honestly don’t even ask me I just fake at being a writer. NOT THAT IT’S EASY TO TELL THAT.
This isn’t really a tip but just to make writing scenes more epic and fun: write with music! Choosing music that fits the scene you’re writing makes it so much better. If you can’t concentrate with words blasting in your ears while writing, then put on some instrumental pieces. This helps me so much and I don’t seem to get stuck on what words to use next.
But these were all really good tips Cait! I’ve yet to finish a first draft so here’s hoping I can finish this one eventually.
I know tons of people write with music and that is totally awesome! I personally can’t, but I like plotting to music.😂
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DRAFT!
OKAY SO THIS WAS THE BEST OF OVER. Totally bookmarking it for future reference xD. And uhm … the title of my book usually sneaks up on me while I’m writing the book? But sometimes it is AN OVERACHIEVER and it comes before I even start the book. Annoying unpredictable things. ;P
I’M SO PLEASED YOU LIKED IT. 😊 And titles sneaking up are a glorious method.😂
Ah what, you didn’t learn your lesson about the broccoli from Blue Sargent? Ah, must have been too late by the time Stiefvater wrote the books.
Great tips! Haha, I’m laughing.
Most of my books start with just “working titles” which then…stick. So one novel I knew was about oracles and so I just called it Oracular and had plans to change it later (but I didn’t know what to change it to), and then everybody around me was like THAT’S A GREAT TITLE, KEEP IT and so three years later it still has that title?
I DIDN’T READ ABOUT BLUE SARGENT EARLY ENOUGH TO SAVE MYSELF. 😭😭 I’m forever stunted. I mean, obviously my parents mumbled something about it but like who listens to parents?????
I love that your “working titles” end up staying! 😂 I title beforehand and generally they’re horrible…like I legit have a book called “Six”…SO.😂
This list made me hungry. I need to fill my creative stomach and my real stomach and I NEED CHOCOLATE NOW
On another topic, I usually come up with a title before or in the middle of writing, just as it occurs to me. I have a few books that have titles I think I’ll probably change. For example Stages, which has nothing to do with, you know…stages. (To be fair I meant it as the stages of grief, but then realized it sounded like a theater novel.)
My current WIP is called July NaNo because that’s when I started trying to write it. It is now almost real NaNo so telling my friends I’m writing “July NaNo” has become very confusing. But THE NAMES WON’T COME. I need help.
Agreed: fill ALL THE STOMACHES. And honestly eating chocolate cake is inspiring creatively AND hungrily. So who’s the real winner here. *whispers* We are.
I title books before I start because I NEED names.😂 But they’re always terrible titles and I get better titles AFTER I’ve written the book. (Hahha, I totally see why Stages could be confusing! I have a book literally titled Six…so… *eats a brick wall*)
Thanks for all the tips, Cait! This post was really entertaining to read. 😉 It also get me inspired to go write, which is always good!
Aww, excellent! I have achieved here!😂 I mean obviously #18 is the most important hack…*nods*
You: IN A WORLD WHERE ART IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH…
Me: …I want to read this.
I mean, can you imagine?
Main Character’s Mother: We have to talk MC. I was in your room earlier and I found…*shudders* PAINTBRUSHES.
A* opening right there. :’)
I KNOW RIGHT?? So much room for angst. No colour is allowed. How dare you draw a picture. Is that a stick figure???? Did you doodle A HEART above your i in your name???
*SLAMS DEATH PENALTY ON THE TABLE*
Hack #8 is my favorite 😉 But, in all seriousness, thank you for sharing this – it gave me a good laugh 🙂
Honestly #8 is the best hack of this whole post. I’VE SOLVED ALL OUR PROBLEMS!
This was an ace post, my friend! And um super helpful *ahemhem*
(loved the trope-bender one, though!!!!)
I am endlessly pleased you liked it!! The sacrificial hack is obviously the most important…*coughs awkwardly* I mean, hah, just a joke haha.
I’m 99.999% sure “kill your darlings” really does mean kill all of the characters. Because stakes and emotions and such. MY BOOK DEMANDS HEARTACHE. Also, I only give working titles before I write the book. Like, “This Book is My Presh Smol Baby” and “The Book Where They All Die” and “OH JEEZ THIS SUCKS LOOK AWAY.” Yup. Very effective titles.
I WISH THAT’S WHAT IT MEANT BUT NO. *cries* It truly means stop being so attached to your darn words.😂 Which I seriously struggle with. My critique partners are like “this scene is unnecessary” and I’m like “BUT IT’S CUTE.”
*sends self to the corner*
I’m just going to kill characters.
I LIKE YOUR TITLES. THEY CATCH MY ATTENTION STRAIGHT AWAY.
I have books with terrible working titles sitting around. In other words, they still don’t have titles. So my answer to when I title a book is definitely “after”.
One thing I’ve always found helpful was a tip that came from Stephen King (I think…) where he said that, after writing a first draft, set it aside for at least six weeks before going back to edit. That gives you enough time so that it’ll look fresh and new and you’ll be able to see all your mistakes. (This kind of ties in with #6 in your list.) I find it works for blog posts and old reviews, too; I’m still finding typos in those years later!
I’m not sure about the researching bit; I like to do more of it ahead of time, because I’ve ended up in positions where I’ve gotten something wrong and to change it would mean having to fix issues with the actual plot. I’m not saying I’ll sit down for eight hours straight and just read about the topic, but I want to make sure I’m not making really huge mistakes before I start incorporating certain things into the story.
That’s honestly the wiser way to go with the titles.😂 I HAVE to title before I write, ergo my titles are terrible.😂
Oh yes! I love that 6-weeks rule too. I tend to take it up to *coughs awkwardly* like six…months. BUT HEY!! Basic principle! Distancing yourself from your work before you work on it is VERY important. I do this for getting critiques too. Never respond to critiques or work on them instantly. Your brain needs time to process…and eat chocolate and cry.😂
That’s also true with the research! Preliminary research = very handy. But like too much…it just turns into procrastination. That can come later.
Great hacks, Cait!
I always love when you share your devious writing secrets with us.
Aww, you’re MOST welcome, Skye! Obviously the sacrificial ones are the important….*coughs awkwardly*
I’m definitely guilty of over-researching 😅 And over-planning! And pretty much procrastinating in general, oops.
I don’t really have any tips that could be added to the list other than the usual ones, but one thing I think that helps me is to not force myself to write when I just have no inspiration to do it. I’m really not a fan of the whole “write every single day at the same time” tip because whenever I try to do that my brain just gets sucked dry and I can’t do it anymore.
I don’t really write full novels, but when I’m writing short stories I tend to title them before I start to write because it kind of reminds me of what exactly I’m going to write about. On the odd occasion that I do plan a novel out, I have a working title that I use and then I’ll come up with a proper title later.
Shaaaame.😂 JUST KIDDING. I mean, I obviously think researching is A+ and important buuut it can also be a good excuse to “procrastinate productively” and we can’t have that too much.😂
I am definitely not a fan of “write everyday” shhessssh. That’s like a recipe for burn out. I do write when I’m not “inspired” (like even if I don’t feel like it for NaNo, I do it anyway) but I always get into the groove as I go. No forcing books though! It just ends in blocks and tears.
(I HAVE to title before I write but my titles always suck.😂)
What a fabulous list of hacks! It’s amazing how you came up with all of these tips! Changing font style to stop your brain from thinking it knows what comes next? GENIUS. 10/10 WOULD recommend you write self-help books next.
I would really like to write a book soon… someday. Someday soon. But thank you for the advice because it’s really encouraging for me.
I should DEFINITELY move on to writing self-help books, like with detailed instructions for the sacrifices too. *nods* 😂 (Also super glad you liked the post, ahhh!!)
Before.
🙂
Yay!
CAIT. WHY DID I NEVER THINK OF WRITING THE SYNOPSIS BEFORE WRITING THE BOOK???? You may have actually just revolutionized my life!!!!
Also, I’m glad you included eat chocolate on this list, because people act like I’m being crazy when I consider that a part of the writing process, and now I have you to back me up.
YOU ARE SO WELCOME. I’M HERE TO BE HELPFUL. (Or like??? Maybe helpful??? Not sure. Some of these are a little dubious.)
And omg chocolate is LIFE. You can’t write without it. That’s a fact.
This is some quality advice right there! *applause*
Honestly, though, can I steal your idea of two teens with mental health struggles fall in love on a quest to tame dragons? SO COOL.
Or maybe the one about the kid wanting to do art, parents want them to be a doctor, in a world where art is punishable by death – that’s some brave kid!
Absolutely. None of it is AT ALL slightly concerning. *flings confetti at us both*
And go for it.😂😂 I think we need WAY more diversity in fantasy!
Imma take #8 to heart, thank you very much.
(Also, you’ll be pleased to hear that I read The Raven Boys because you rant about the books/author so much.) (Also also, is that your bullet journal?? that thing is ART.)
You’re most welcome. I am so here to help. 🎉 #Legit
AHHHHHH AHH!!! AHHH!!! THAT MAKES ME SO SO HAPPY BECAUSE LIKE AFJDSKALD MY FAVOURITE ATUHOR EVER. (And yes that’s my bullet journal! I do like basically 2% in it though. 😂)
THESE TIPS ARE SO GOOD! I don’t even write, but a friend of mine does and the next time she struggles with writing I’ll be able to help her!
I AM VERY PLEASED YOU LIKED THEM. 🎉🎉
Sorry for being so late on commenting. I was super swamped this week with stuff but I AM BACK <3 <3 AAAGHH I love these writing tips <3 You're so funny. funny dragon. When you said 'OUR CREATIVE STOMACH IS PROBABLY LOW.' I thought OH SHE IS GONNA SUGGEST CAKE but then you said stuff like books and TV shows and I was a bit disappointed. JUST A SMIDGE. OOH TEAA, not really coffee fan? But TEAAA <3 I think I like tea because I am british. Are you a tea or coffee person? Thank you so much for this. Bookmarking!!
Omg please never feel the need to apologise, Ilsa!!! *sends cupcakes* <-- hopefully that will make up for my LIFE DISAPPOINTMENT HERE with the creative stomach fail. Honestly I disappoint myself a bit, ugh.😂 I actually fall asleep if I drink coffee.😂 So that is the opposite of helpful haha. I drink more hot chocolate than anything else, but probably I choose chai as my second?
Now I won’t be able to.call my first book Glass Queen on Bone Throne. I thought it was super catchy and is about two teens falling in love and buying a puppy. I can barely string words together to write a review at the moment so I’m desperate for a review writing hack. From the moment you pick up the book to hitting publish on that post. Motivate me Smushy, I needs help muchly.
Darn, here I am crushing your creativity….and here your plot with the puppy sounds catchy??? I am in line to be your first fan, btw. Just am saying.
I could totally do a review edition. It would be VERY serious of course and helpful.😂
ERM I try to title them before I write them, but most of the time they go through a title change in the middle hehe. Some don’t! But MOST do. Also OMG WHYYYY didn’t I think about writing the synopsis first?!?! I was having so much trouble with my new WIP (OMG I HAVE SO MANY I AM A MESS) but I think that may help me CONSIDERABLY I BOW TO YOU. Also BAHAHAHA at finish what you started. I am the Queen of starting new projects when the others are halfway done :,) PRAY FOR ME.
HOWEVER I am very impressed that I at the moment have a total of 3 finished first drafts and one halfway edited 2nd draft YAY MEEEE
CAIT I LOVE THIS POST. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
SAME THO. I need a title for my pinterest board obviously.😂 And I hope the synopsis-first tip works! Honestly it makes a huge difference for me.
Also YASSS FOR three finished drafts!! That is incredible. You get CAKE.
BAHAHHA you accidentally typed “Brian” instead of “Brain” but i’m not actually sure if you meant brain or if you like referring to your brain as Brian. like hi brian want to be productive for me this morning? no? okay 🙂
THAT WASN’T AN ACCIDENT. 😉
Ahhhhh I love these tips! Trademark Cait humor but they’re honestly so helpful and you are a writing master haha! Still working on that finishing a draft business and here you are with 6 drafts in a YEAR HOW. I am impressed. But seriously, this post is great and I love it.
I’m glad you liked it, Morgan! THANK YOU. (I mean obviously the sacrifice one is the most important….)
Oh, Cait, as always, I love you and I can’t wait for your books to be published and out in the wild. This is such a fantastic mix of real, solid advice and nonsense that it’s just about perfect!
N’awww Nicole, you’re so lovely. 😂 <3
This is excellent advice, especially the ‘hunt plot bunnies’. I should try that because I have so so many plot bunnies. I’m trying to reread a novel right now while on holiday which was maybe a bad idea because I’m not getting much done. So far I’ve titled my books before writing but I have no idea what title to give the one I’m intending to writing for NaNo and I actually have a lot of other things going on in November so hopefully I can manage that. My writing hack is to write at the times you set yourself and not procrastinate too much so you actually get something done. Needless to say I am terrible at following this advice.
Oh multitasking holidays and like writing…that’s hard. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST! (I have like the concentration of a pea, so if anything even remotely different is coming up I never get any work done.😂) But I really like your writing hack!!
This post is so amazing! Writing my synopsis and query first actually helped me pinpoint what exactly it was that I was writing about and why I even wanted to write it in the first place. Definitely a great tip to get you focused! One thing I love to do when I’m feeling creatively drained is to watch movies with commentary or making-of specials– I find that the writers/director will say something about their process and how they came to a final decision regarding a character or plotline that will just spark a different way of thinking in me. It just boosts my creativity and makes me think about aspects of my characters or settings that I might not have thought about before.
Exactly! And you know if you CAN’T pinpoint the point of the story and the climax — then your story still needs work. It helps me so much. 😂
Ooh I haven’t ever watched director’s commentary before but that is such a good idea! Listening to other artists is really inspiring and definitely a good creative fill. I used to listen to writing lectures on youtube too which was great.
The synopsis thing is a great idea. I did that for my latest project and am finding it a lot easier. I’ll have to try the query letter hack. The only finished project I’ve done has two main characters and I’ve struggled to write a query letter I like that is concise. Writing is fun, editing and querying is a drag. I keep putting it off and working on new things, but this sounds like a fun approach to it.
I’m glad you like the synopsis hack! It totally saves me much gnashing of teeth later on.😂 Queries are very hard agh…but I hope the tip helps a bit.
Hahaha thank you so much for this lovely piece! I recently decided to do NaNo again this year and I need all the advice and motivation before deciding I’m crazy enough to tackle another novel.
I agree writing a synopsis first is GOLDEN ADVICE. Last year, I took that a step further and for the first time in my 10-year NaNo life, I wrote a 10 pt plot line and it forced me to finish all my loose plot threads and it was eye opening.
Omg this MAKES ME SO HAPPY THAT IT’S HELPFUL! And also best of luck with your synopsis and NaNo book!! I’m SO glad those lose threads are tying together. 🎉🎉
I love this advice. I just started writing my novel and I am currently in the middle of the first draft and UGGH. I want it to just start writing itself but that doesn’t happen in the ugly real world. I took your advie and wrote my synopsis and holy dang it is a good piece of year old chocolate. The title of my book is so crappy right now but I am so going to rename it. I mean who would want to read a book with the tile “Money Book”? I can’t wait to see your new posts.
Omg I’m glad some of this advice actually WORKED for you.😂 Someone award me. I’m not crazy.😂😂
I don’t write (other than blog posts, of course), but this was fun 😀
That’s really smart about changing the font though. Those typos always escape you, doesn’t matter what you’re writing. Such a good one!
You’re so right though! Character names starting with the same letter, ESPECIALLY if they’re foreign to you! That’s the first thing my mom ever complains to me in any book she’s reading, and I have to admit, even though I’m good with names, that feels really in lack of taste for me somehow 😀
And that is so true about titles.
I’M SO GLAD YOU THINK I AM PERFECT AND RIGHT. *twirls majestically* 😂 And honestly I’m surprised at how often books break that name rule?!??? It should be set in stone. It’d save lives. *cries because is always confused*
THIS POST IS EVERYTHING!
I’m currently struggling with a couple of my WIP. I have The-Book-That-Is-Trying-To-Kill-Me still, as I told you before, and then I started working on a new idea of mine to get me into a healthier headspace and now I’m just stuck on both, so this post was very much needed. Thank you!
Also, chocolate is always part of my writing process. Chocolate and tea.
I’M GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT, BRITTANY. THANK YOU. and omg I love your working title. It’s great. I want to call all my books that now.😂 Maybe we should feed our BOOKS more chocolate??? So they behave??
I tend to title my books before I begin because I’m uptight and need to at least pretend I have a game plan and know where I’m going. Will the title (and the whole book, let’s be honest) change by the end? Heck yes. But at least I could pretend I had a handle on this whole writing thing.
Um, writing hacks, writing hacks, writing snacks, snacks, ooh food… *dives into pantry* *doesn’t emerge*
I got nothing, Cait. If I had writing hacks, I feel like I wouldn’t have written a crap ton of books, got burned out, and spent the past three years staring at a blank page like, “What the heck are words and how do I *vague aggressively fluttering hand motion*.”
I’m the same with the titles! I CAN’T write without one.😭😂 Also writing snacks is the best writing hack there is.
This is so so so so good because I have just started on my I HAVE A DREAM TO WRITE AN AMAZING BOOK journey, and it can all be pretty damn overwhelming! So I am saving this for the days when I want to pull all my hair out and run away!
Also this line… “Also put food in your books. It makes it more relatable and gives me dinner ideas” is so freaking accurate. Since reading The Wolves of Mercy Falls I have made Chicken Parmesan for dinner SO MANY TIMES, because at some point Grace and Rachel make it and then Sam shows up to help and its so cute but it also made me SO HUNGRY!
Oh I’m glad you liked this! And glad it’s useful. 😂 And afjdaskfad I’m just glad to know you love the Wolves of Mercy Falls because that series is BEST.
I finally got my copy of Sinner, but I haven’t been able to read it yet and it’s just staring at me from my shelf and crying out to be read. TOO MANY BOOKS NOT ENOUGH TIME!
I always title my books before I write them so I can tell them apart. Two of my books are called “Fairytale idk the title” and “random story idek” It’s very helpful to tell them apart.
Another writer’s hack is to always make your bed and write on your neat bed surrounded by paper and books and food. Feel free to play Harry Potter soundtracks in the background 😁
Not kidding that’s all I do.
Also don’t ever try to make those cool connections like UK Rowling does. You’ll fail. (There I go again, ruining people’s dreams with logic) (100% Ravenclaw/Slytherin)
AHH I’M WRITING A STORY AND SHE’S GOING TO BE TAUGHT PAINTING BY A GHOST COULD I USE THE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH BIT?!
Thank you for that deceptively light-hearted advice. Those are actually important things to keep in mind,,,,,,,would love to read more.