How Can I Improve My Fiction Writing Skills?

No matter your skill level, there are always ways that you can improve fiction writing, whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced writer looking to take your work to the next level. 

But where do you start when learning how to improve writing skills? How do you get better at writing fiction over time?

Taking some writing courses or joining a writing group are great ways to improve. In addition to reading and getting feedback, it's also important to practice writing regularly. The more you practice, the better you become. And finally, don't be afraid to experiment with your writing. Try new things and see what works for you.

Here are a few other writing tips for fiction you can try.

1. Try New Subjects

One of the best ways to improve your fiction writing skills is to experiment with new subjects or genres. By expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world around you, you can bring new insights and perspectives to your writing. Additionally, trying new things can help to break you out of any writing ruts you may find yourself in.

Trying new subjects will help broaden your understanding of the world and the people in it, which in turn makes your writing more interesting and believable. You also learn to add more depth and dimension to your stories by experimenting with the unknown.

The ability to try new things is an important skill for any writer. By expanding your horizons and exploring, you can not only improve your writing skills, but you also gain a better understanding of the world around you. Whether you're looking to improve your descriptive powers or add more depth to your characters, trying new subjects is a great way to become a better fiction writer.

2. Research Your Characters

An important aspect of writing strong fiction is creating believable, relatable characters. In order to write characters that readers can connect with, do your research. By understanding the psychology of your characters, you can write more believable dialogue and scenes. Knowing the backstories of your characters also allows you to add depth and dimension to your writing.

There are a number of ways to research your characters. One option is to create a character sketch, which can help you understand the basic details of your character. Another way is to interview your characters, either in your head or on paper. This can help you to understand their motivations and desires. You can research the occupation of your character, as well as their hobbies and interests. By understanding your characters inside and out, you have the opportunity to write more believable and compelling fiction.

Because there are many ways to research your characters, I suggest you start by creating a character profile for each one. Include things like their background, personality, goals, and motivation. Once you have a good understanding of who your characters are, you can start to think about their role in your story.

Knowing your characters is one of the most important aspects of writing fiction. The more you know about them, the more believable they will be to your readers. Researching your characters helps you understand them better and improves your fiction writing skills.

3. Keep Organized

Organization is key when it comes to writing fiction. By keeping your outline, character profiles, and research in one place, you can avoid hours wasted searching for lost notes and files. A well-organized writer is a productive writer, and a productive writer is a better writer.

If you’re looking to improve your fiction writing skills, one of the best things you can do is get organized. By creating an outline of your story, keeping track of your character profiles and research, and storing everything in one place, you’ll save yourself time and frustration. And as any writer knows, time is precious. So if you want to improve your fiction writing skills, get organized. It may seem tedious, but you’ll be glad you did when you see how much easier it is to write (and rewrite) your stories.

Organization is critical to success in any field, and fiction writing is no different. By keeping your ideas, thoughts, and notes organized, you can improve your fiction writing skills and make the writing process easier and more enjoyable. There are many different ways to keep organized, so find a system that works for you and stick with it. Your writing will thank you for it. 

But P.S. If you’re having trouble staying organized, you’re not alone. A writing coach might be beneficial to help you stay on track. They’re amazing at guiding you through the writing journey and keeping you accountable. 

4. Apply Structure

Just as a house needs a foundation, framing, and roof to keep everything together, so too does a story need a solid structure to prevent it from collapsing. By understanding and applying the principles of story structure, you create a well-crafted and compelling story. You can make your fiction writing tighter, smoother, and more engaging for readers. However, structure is not always easy to apply, as is knowing where to start.

Without a strong foundation of structure, your stories will likely lack direction and coherence. 

To start applying structure, outline your story before you write. This allows you to ensure that your work is well-organized and flows smoothly. Additionally, using a specific structure can help you avoid getting bogged down in the details. 

There are many different ways to structure a story, so find one that works best for you and stick with it. With a little practice, you'll be able to write stories that are both compelling and well-crafted.

5. Use Descriptive Words

As a writer, it’s important to be able to paint a picture for your readers with your words. By using description, you can create a more vivid and interesting story. 

Use specific and concrete words rather than general, vague, or common phrasing. Focus on sensory words to help your readers feel like they are experiencing the story. Strong verbs can help describe actions and events, while descriptive adjectives can be great for describing people, places, and things. Try also using figurative language to add interest and depth to descriptions.

If you want to improve your fiction writing skills, use descriptive words to paint a picture in your reader's mind. Allow them to feel as if they are right there in the story with your characters. This helps bring the story to life.

Descriptive language also creates a more vivid and interesting story. Focus on the little details. This might include describing the setting, characters, and events in the story. By using descriptive words, writers can create a more engaging and memorable story overall.

Just Keep Going

Perhaps the best way to improve your fiction writing skills is to read as much as you can. This helps you get a feel for how stories are structured and how to develop characters. Another way to improve your skills is to take a writing class or join a writers’ group where you can get feedback on your work. Finally, don’t be afraid to practice and try new things. Even if you don’t think your work is perfect, keep going. Practice makes perfect, after all.  

A Final Word From Brit: If you try these tips on how to improve fiction writing and still think you need some fiction writing help, consider signing up for our free Resource Library. It's full of printables to help your writing journey, from worksheets on character development to fiction writing prompts.

Guest Blogger Bio

Merry Usman is a singer, songwriter, blogger, book marketer, and recovering worship leader. For two years, Merry had the amazing opportunity to minister Christian youth with her Mom, also serving as Sunday school teacher. She is now happily living with her four sisters and both parents. She also enjoys travelling, photography, and playing with her two dogs.

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