how I improved my writing FAST 🚀 (w/ examples)

[@ananeu]

“it’s really about giving your descriptions room to breathe” - you’ve hit the nail on the head. ultimately, your writing style can only come through the way you describe things and how this is different from another author’s. it’s sooo interesting how the same story can be moulded into a different one, if told by a different quill. excellent video Kris! i learnt sm xx

[@KrisMF]

thank you ana!! ☺️💛

[@8MysterySinger]

These tips are so helpful! I also have some tips that help me. Limit Filter Words: Filter words (look, smell, hear, think, etc.) are unnecessary most of the time. They create a barrier between the reader and character. Examples: Instead of saying, “I saw the dog sitting on the porch.” Say, “The dog sat on the porch.” Since I write mostly fantasy, I’ve also learned some techniques to avoid infodumping. Explain the Weird: You do not have the explain every aspect of your world in depth. Some concepts people will inherently understand because we have similar concepts in the real world. For example, you don’t have explain how a hereditary monarchy works because most people will enter with the understanding of what it means. People will understand that the Crown Prince or Princess is a child of the current monarch. You only have to go in depth with concepts that are “weird” or unique to the fictional world. For example, if the heir to the throne is chosen by how many spells they can collect or personally write, regardless of their high or low birth. What you feel the need to explain will depend on the cultural understanding and age of your intended readers. Pre-show Complex Elements Before Description: If the world has complex elements that can’t be easily comprehended through anecdotes or descriptive world elements (like showing a cold climate through it snowing), more exposition might be necessary to avoid confusion. A way to help explain a complex concept without info dumping is showing the concept in an early relevant but low stakes story moment before explaining it through limited exposition. For example, let’s say a fictional world requires a complex set of hand motions to perform magic and some of these movements are important for readers to understand. In an early chapter, you might show the character performing the hand movements to move objects to run away from a bully. This scene (combined with other worldbuilding elements, dialogue, and action) will show how the magic works, spotlight some relevant hand motions, and introduce some of your character’s skills and problems. After the action moment is finished, you could write a few sentences explaining the hand symbols, and it won’t seem so infodump-y because the readers saw it in action. If you are going to explain something this in depth, make sure it is relevant to the plot of the story.

[@KrisMF]

GREAT points! exposition through appropriate context is so important!!

[@jasminv8653]

This is some really good brainstorming! I've really been thinking along similar lines lately - for me it's easily been solved by characters from different regions and classes coming together, so something odd and interesting that they mention in passing first can be explained to someone else later in a way that hopefully satisfies the reader's curiosity.

[@futurestoryteller]

"Feel" and "felt" are often overlooked filter words in both literal and figurative contexts. Sometimes it can be useful to create distance, but the character is interpreting what they see. If something "seemed" a certain way, it might as well be that way, to them. That's part of specificity. So is the reason "The dog sat on the porch" barely registers as an improvement. The dog could be resting, (aloof) or it could be surveying (alert). If it's not important, maybe the dog isn't important. It fails to set the scene unless we have specifics to build off. Otherwise maybe we don't need to mention the dog until something happens with it. I've been using these examples lately, for people who misinterpret "showing" entirely as physical manifestations. She was sad. (Telling) She cried. (Showing) They're both horrible, right? The second one is really just the first converted into a visible activity, but it's still abstract. We still don't have any concrete notion of what it was like to experience it. Even really simple additions like "She cried, but he lacked the courage to comfort her." Do a lot more heavy lifting despite being plain, because at least it tells us about the person witnessing it, how he feels about it, and a little about his relationship to her. If it had some "why" it could be even better, but the point is we shouldn't rely only on what's experienced with the senses, but what's perceived by the mind.

[@jasminv8653]

I honestly just want to say it's a joy to hear you really discuss *your* writing, what works for *you*, what kind of progress *you've* been making... So much of the writing-related vlogs and channels on here are so focused on numbers and bite-sized social-media-sexy universalised tips, but with your channel it's actually much easier to listen to and figure out whether your techniques are new to me or something I might implement in my own workflow or not. I feel like I get to know a bit about you as a writer and thinker, and it's always a lovely time! Thank you for these clever discussions!

[@KrisMF]

I really appreciate that feedback!! filtering through a personal lens is always my goal :)

[@rachelwritesbooks]

14:27 - this anecdote is POWER I love it LOL

[@KrisMF]

LOOOOL :’)

[@jelnapier]

I always look forward to your uploads 😁 perfect timing for me too since i'm about to edit my book! I can't remember where I heard the advice but it helps me in terms of exposition/over-explaining backstory: come up with lists of things about your characters that the reader will never know. like things that have happened in their past, things they like, things they hate, family drama, hobbies, etc. Make yourself promise to never outright mention these things in your story. Then, by knowing all these facts about your characters (or worlds, I suppose!) they will all inevitably bleed into your narrative in some way or another. It could be through the characters' interactions with certain types of people, objects, situations, emotions - eventually it happens without your even meaning to, because you can say to yourself 'how might this effect them?'. Readers love to pick up on insinuations - any opportunity for headcanons and finding similarities between themselves and the characters is always a great thing! It also strengthens the 'bond' your have with your characters, knowing things about them that you'll never tell, giving them more of a sense of person. its a helpful and fun thing to do for me but might not won't work for everyone ☺ either way, love your videos! your writing always sounds so beautiful!

[@lynndjung]

I got so hyped to see a writing advice video from you pop up in my notifications, kris! your insights into writing feel so personal, and the way you explain all these points makes so much sense. multiple sensations/senses is such an important one, and from the small bits I've seen of your writing, it's definitely made your descriptions and prose stand out!

[@KrisMF]

Lynn 🥹 !!! that means so much to hear from you! 💛

[@kelleyiswriting]

Kris you are so pretty!! I think one of the reasons why looks is the go-to for description is because we might be watching our characters like a movie or TV. I love your atmosphere advice!! Gotta love the specificity and taking out those to-be words😭!! Ahh, swapping out dialogue tags for description--I'm going to try that too :D You're so great hehe thanks for sharing another video :) This video inspired me to write

[@KrisMF]

kelleyyyyy ty

[@bailey3645]

I love the idea of swapping dialogue tags with actions - definitely going to work on that! I also second your advice on theme - I almost always craft my stories around the theme I want to explore and I find it really helps focus my brainstorming

[@leonthelad3208]

aH SPECIFICITY! The love of my life!

[@AndreaHecklerWriter]

The day I realized how unnecessary most dialogue tags are was the day my writing changed forever 😛😂 These are all such great writing tips, thank you for sharing! Your revised sentence is a great example of how to use stronger and more specific verbs 👏

[@rachelwritesbooks]

This video is SO GOOD!! I love your content sm, your videos are always so engaging and informative! Also that handbag is SO CUTE

[@KrisMF]

thank u rachel!!! 💛

[@iosyntropy]

on the last tip, theme. its important to keep the theme in mind at every page for whatever examples or anecdotes can be used that tap into it, but its also imortant to compare the greatest selling stories of all time. especially if you dont know what your whole point is. when we imagine what the point of harry potter was, im at a loss, friendship? sacrificing against your will? or what did frodo baggins learn by the end of the story that he didnt know in the shire? these questions never informed the story teller and the reader never lost interest at their paused growth or lack of unique theme.

[@reezers101]

Thank you for the tips Kris! I struggle with subtext in dialogue, though dialogue comes easier to me. Also while dialogue comes easy to me, I find that something that has helped me improve it somewhat significantly is talking to myself. Especially imagining my characters and how they would interact with each other, I enjoy writing miscellaneous scenes that have nothing to do with their story and I find that through the scenes I get a better understanding of my characters and how they'd present themselves.

[@KrisMF]

miscellaneous scenes are some of the most fun scenes to explore!!

[@reezers101]

@@KrisMF I just thought of something else that is helpful just in general, and that's to take a break from your project. I'm currently taking a break from mine, and the amount of ideas that just flow out is amazing.

[@sincerelyvee]

kris these were all SO helpful!! i really need to work on my descriptions and your examples for how to improve them are so well done! love all these tips!!💞

[@KrisMF]

yay I’m glad they’re helpful :)) thank you vee !! 💛

[@bttmofthebrrlstudios]

One tip I picked up was to cut qualifiers like "really" and "very" from the narration! When you're talking in the real world, they function a little differently; in narration they only really serve to pad and lessen impact. Though, they can still be used sparingly in dialogue, especially for characters that soften their speech!

[@KrisMF]

I’ve seen certain narrative styles where the “really” or “very” serves its purpose well but overall, I definitely agree with the sentiment of trimming the fat when you can! I am an “over-writer” and so many of my first draft words can be cut 😭

[@futurestoryteller]

This is a quirk, by saying something is "kind of" like something else, or "very" whatever, your brain tricks you into thinking you're being specific, when that's a tepid specificity that the reader will not appreciate.

[@notesbysaraawynn]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE these tips! I think you did an amazing job explaining each of them, so don't worry about that 😊looking forward to more updates from you! 💖

[@iosyntropy]

im hesitant on saying show dont tell is universal on any page for every reason, but dang, your examples are really good. very professional prose, great writing.

[@kelleyiswriting]

I literally watch this video every other month. THIS IS SO HELPFUL

[@KrisMF]

AHH LOVE U KELLEY

[@VampiriaOddiss]

Please make more of these. I took notes! 📝

[@mbs.writes]

I honestly found this so helpful, especially with the examples you showed. 🥰

[@swaggypig-fk7bn]

I'm only 14 starting my second novel but the tips your providing is a bit overwhelming haha. It's great still because I've learned so much. And you are so right!! being specific and using all 5 senses can really strengthen the atmosphere and immerse the readers fully in. thxs so much kris! this was so helpful! :)

[@KrisMF]

don’t be overwhelmed!! 14 and already on your second novel is such an accomplishment-you’ll improve in no time :)

[@DarrianChamblee]

This video was seriously so helpful coming from someone who has been writing since they found out how to physically write but has never had any formal education on creative writing haha

[@iosyntropy]

during the period when i stopped reading for a long time, while writing my first story, i discovered show dont tell and lived by it. it wasnt until i started reading again, as a writer, that i realized this rule, is by far, the most dangerous rule there is in writing.

[@futurestoryteller]

Sure. Okay. I can't tell if you mean this affirmatively or not.

[@AdamFishkin]

1:10 That is the face of a winner. I'm unfortunately very distracted today, so I'll have to return to this video later in order to give your points the attention you deserve. Hope your week is going good, Kris. :)

[@leighamirandion]

Re unrealistic dialogue-yes!! Another example of unrealistic is when a conversation (especially when it's supposed to be very casual, between friends) tries to take the place of simple exposition such as Person 1: Remember in 2010 when we were seniors in high school and we were living in that small town in Kansas? Person 2: Yeah, then we graduated and moved here, to New York City, so we could start our careers in the fashion industry. Person 1: We drove across country in that beaten up mini van and arrived in New York on a cold, wintery day.

[@dianemiles2720]

I wrote all of this down.

[@mettabel8097]

Hello Kris. Thank you so much for this video. To be honest, I've been watching all your videos on writing because I'm currently working on my first fantasy novel and they have been so helpful to me. Keep doing what you do and I would absolutely love to read one of your stories if you ever do get published 🤍

[@KrisMF]

that is so kind! I’m happy they are helpful :))) good luck with your fantasy project!!

[@stella_gmbr]

You're so sweet omg, I've discovered you channel with a video oh @ananeu, and I just love you so much, you're definitely a safe person here, thanks for your tips, love from france 💌🌼