Faber Academy’s Post

Don't be afraid of the ugly first draft. The great thing about creative writing, or writing in general, is that your words are editable. You can carve and mould and polish that ugly baby into a masterpiece that shines like a [insert shiny object here]. Buuuuttt… Be careful not to let perfectionism hinder your creative process or stop you from publishing altogether. For example, when I can't think of the right word in the moment, I use square brackets, as I did above, and come back to it once I'm done. This is so I don't interrupt my writing flow. I left my square brackets here, both to illustrate my point and because I still couldn't come up with the right word. 🙃 Sometimes you have to embrace the not-so-cute draft and trust the process. This is a lesson I have to remind myself of often. Maybe it's self-doubt. Maybe it's ego. But whatever it is that has you thinking that everything you produce needs to be pristine from the first draft, you've got to let it go. Every time you hold yourself back from publishing because you don't think what you've written is absolutely perfect, you're potentially robbing the world, your audience, of something truly magical. Writing is not just writing, it's rewriting, editing, and writing some more. #writing #storytelling #uglyfirstdrafts

**🎨 Writing: The Art of Words 🖋️** In a world overflowing with information, writing isn't just about stringing words together—it's about creating art. 🌟 Here’s how you can master this craft: 1. **Define Your Purpose 🎯** Understand the 'why' behind your writing. Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire? Clarity in purpose shapes your message. 2. **Craft a Compelling Hook 🎣** Your opening sentence should grab attention. Make it intriguing, thought-provoking, or surprising to draw readers in. 3. **Create Flow with Sequenced Sentences 🌊** Seamless transitions between sentences ensure a smooth reading experience. Each sentence should naturally lead to the next, maintaining a cohesive narrative. 4. **Use Vivid Imagery and Emotions 🎨** Paint pictures with your words. Evoke emotions to connect with your audience on a deeper level. The right words can create powerful visuals in the reader’s mind. 5. **Edit Ruthlessly ✂️** The beauty of writing often lies in what’s left out. Refine your drafts, cut out the fluff, and ensure every word serves a purpose. Writing is more than just a skill—it's an art form that has the power to change perspectives and touch hearts. ✨ Embrace the journey, and let your words create magic. ✨ #WritingTips #ContentCreation #ArtOfWords #ProfessionalWriting #SeeratFatimaWrites #repost if you agree #like and comment #support me😊🙂

How I made my writing more engaging with one simple trick. Monotonous writing is costing you readers. Steal my formula for writing that sings: Vary sentence length. 1. Embrace the 20/20 Rule What are the 20% of sentences you should delete? What are the 20% of sentences you should keep? From Tim Ferriss. Works. 2. Create rhythm to keep readers engaged Vary your short-long sentence ratio. Short is punchy. Long is bunchy. 3. Short sentences are powerful They grab attention. They make a point. Use liberally. 4. Long sentences have their place, too. They create a sense of flow and continuity. They allow you to explore complex ideas. They add nuance and detail. 5. We hear what we read Words have visuals. Words have sounds. We hear them in our minds. 6. Make music with your words There is a time and place for each. Finding a delicate balance is the trick. Varying sentence length creates music. Your sentences want to sing. Give them a voice. 7. Boring Is the Enemy Monotony where engaging writing goes to die. If every sentence is the same length Every sentence would be just so boring. Your writing would feel flat and lifeless. Vary length. It's the antidote to boredom. Great writing creates a UX for your reader. Varying sentence length the powerful tool for this. Create a more engaging and memorable experience. Read your writing out loud. Listen to the rhythm of your sentences. Make adjustments until your prose sings. P.S.: What's your favourite writing example that masterfully varies sentence length? #writingtips #writing #phd

How I made my writing more engaging with one simple trick. Monotonous writing is costing you readers. Steal my formula for writing that sings: Vary sentence length. 1. Embrace the 20/20 Rule What are the 20% of sentences you should delete? What are the 20% of sentences you should keep? From Tim Ferriss. Works. 2. Create rhythm to keep readers engaged Vary your short-long sentence ratio. Short is punchy. Long is bunchy. 3. Short sentences are powerful They grab attention. They make a point. Use liberally. 4. Long sentences have their place, too. They create a sense of flow and continuity. They allow you to explore complex ideas. They add nuance and detail. 5. We hear what we read Words have visuals. Words have sounds. We hear them in our minds. 6. Make music with your words There is a time and place for each. Finding a delicate balance is the trick. Varying sentence length creates music. Your sentences want to sing. Give them a voice. 7. Boring Is the Enemy Monotony where engaging writing goes to die. If every sentence is the same length Every sentence would be just so boring. Your writing would feel flat and lifeless. Vary length. It's the antidote to boredom. Great writing creates a UX for your reader. Varying sentence length the powerful tool for this. Create a more engaging and memorable experience. Read your writing out loud. Listen to the rhythm of your sentences. Make adjustments until your prose sings. P.S.: What's your favourite writing example that masterfully varies sentence length? #writingtips #writing #phd

Don't Drop the Balls: Mastering the Multi-Draft Approach to Writing Writing a novel is often likened to building a house. It's a solid analogy. You start with a foundation, erect walls, and gradually add the finishing touches. But there's another, equally valid metaphor: juggling. When you're writing a first draft, you're essentially trying to keep one ball in the air. And that's challenging enough. Is it plot? Dialogue? Characterization? Whatever it is, it's demanding your full attention. But let's face it, nobody wants to watch a juggler with a single ball, and likewise, readers aren't enthralled by a story with only one moving part. This is where the magic of multiple drafts comes in. It's like gradually introducing more balls into the juggling act. Each draft is an opportunity to add another layer of complexity and depth. It's unrealistic to expect a perfectly balanced, multifaceted story from the get-go. Even seasoned authors will admit to the chaos of their first drafts. It's a messy, exhilarating process. The key is persistence. On your second pass, you might realize your characters need more internal life. Thoughts, feelings, motivations - these are the balls you add next. The third draft might demand heightened tension, a more intricate plot. Maybe the fourth draft calls for a dash of humor, a supporting character to lighten the mood. There's a risk, of course, in overloading your scene. Too many elements can create a chaotic, overwhelming experience for the reader. But more often than not, the problem lies in the opposite direction: the "thin fiction" that relies on a single, repetitive element. So, keep juggling, writers! Each new ball you add enriches your story, making it more complex, engaging, and rewarding for your readers. As we move through the rest of the year, let’s set ambitious goals. Let's challenge ourselves to juggle more balls, to create stories that are not just entertaining but thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and unforgettable. What are your thoughts on the juggling metaphor? Have you experienced this multi-ball approach in your writing? Share your experiences and let's continue the conversation! #writingtips #amwriting #writerslife #drafting #novelwriting #creativity #jugglingmetaphor

Writing Tip #3 A lot of people ask me how to start writing. The ability to write is a talent but also a learned skill which, even the best writers, never stop honing and improving. I think the first step is to practise writing and develop your skill set and confidence. You can improve your writing skills by attending creative writing groups or workshops, where you can learn different writing techniques. You can also watch the free but very good creative writing tutorials on YouTube. In the groups I run I use props as a way of unlocking people’s imaginative potential. You can do this at home to. Take any object and examine it in detail. What does it look like? What does it feel like? What does smell like? The next question to ask yourself is: How did it get there? How does it feel? What is its history? and what is going to happen to it next? Then the writing adventure can begin. If you don’t want to use props, writing prompts are also a very good way to inspire creative writing. I use simple one sentence writing prompts in my groups and my students have produced fantastic writing just from having their ideas focused on one idea. If you want to do some writing prompts, a wonderful prompt list can be found here - https://lnkd.in/ehWfiRsD Keep Writing! 

I have a confession 👀 I don't follow traditional grammar rules when it comes to writing. Sometimes my writing is fragmented. And they often start with "and". Why? Because when it comes to writing a blog, there are no rules. At least, not the ones you’ve been taught. Here's what I'd suggest: 👉 Focus on your reader. Every word you write should serve them. If it doesn’t, cut it. Simple. 👉 Mix up your structure. Short sentences. Long sentences. Create rhythm. Keep your reader hooked with the unexpected. Punchy. Direct. Then slow it down with a detailed thought. 👉 Change the font after you've finished the piece. Sounds weird, right? But trust me on this. Switch it up. Look at your article in different fonts, and you’ll see mistakes jump out at you. The ones you were too familiar with to notice? They’ll be impossible to miss now. 👉 And grammar? Break the rules. Start with “And.” Use fragments. Write how you speak. You’re not writing a dissertation that has to follow a specific marking structure—you’re connecting with a reader. Writing isn’t about impressing with fancy words or perfect syntax. It’s about clarity. Impact. Connection. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what you write. It’s about how your reader feels after they’ve read it. #ContentWriting #ContentMarketing #Writing #Marketing

From time to time, I'll share some creative writing techniques. This is one of those moments. As with anything in the business of the arts, these are tried and tested suggestions not hard and fast rules. This wisdom comes from various sources. Mentorships with Margaret Weis, Bob Salvatore, and Wulf Moon. Courses with editors like Scot Noel of Dreamforge magazine and Jason Sizemore of Apex magazine, to name a few. Courses and meetings with literary agents. In short, what I share with you works. Today's writing tips: If we want our stories to make it past the slush pile and win awards or get bought, we need to ensure we have a few things in them right away. Readers in these positions look for several key items from us in the first few pages of a novel manuscript or in the first page or two of a short story. Yes, you read that right. Editors have all told me they can tell within a few pages whether they want to keep the story for further consideration or give it a rejection. That said, we need to ensure we deliver a few things right up front: A hook. A character... In a defined setting... With a conflict. For short stories, my advice is to get your main character named and introduced in the opening sentence, preferably with a nice hook included. We have to make things perform double or even triple duty in shorts. With novels, we can get away with introducing the character a bit later, but it should still be within the first few paragraphs. If any of these critical pieces to your story puzzle is missing or unclear right away, I'd expect a form rejection. I can review each of these in more detail in separate posts if you like. Just let me know in the comments. I want to give back to the community that has done so much for me, but I don't want to waste anyone's time. #writingcommunity #writingtips #fictionwriting #writingadvice #writingcraft

How to Start Writing a Story: A Beginner’s Guide

Procrastination is the silent killer of many writing projects. Is it preventing yours from coming into the world? Even if you only have ten minutes to jot down your ideas about characters, plot and setting...if you do this each day, you will have done quite a bit by the end of a few weeks. What are you waiting for? NOW is the perfect time to start your creative writing journey.