8 Simple Ways to Make Your Writing Better

[@blabbitybla2780]

I have a bad habit of overthinking my writing lol, so I appreciate the overview of the core things that matter - making sure the reader actually gets what you're writing

[@LailuRosa_studios]

Same i just panic and cry inside because the fear of failing

[@AsadKhan-ql6tc]

Same

[@ashroskell]

I had a revelation when I simply put down the ideas in my story as, “beats,” in the correct order of the narrative (beginning, middle and end) with about eight or nine beats. I said to myself, “Right, that’s the whole story.” Then I just took each beat and asked how one would lead to the next, explored why the characters would do what they did, and expanded on the world they inhabited. It just changed my whole approach. I didn’t even keep the original beats, because the story and characters took over.

[@ginatober6752]

I think you've talked about removing filter words before. I went through my manuscript and swept it for filter words. Doing this helped to shorten the story, tighten it up, cut out repetitiveness and over-explaining. Good advice.

[@Reedsy]

Cutting filters is so satisfying!

[@TheCasualTheorist]

Awesome video and great advice! I was thinking about concrete language and I find that applying non-concrete language as modifiers for concrete adjectives achieves a better effect. Rather than the "flowers were the color of joy," "the flowers were a joyful magenta color."

[@Reedsy]

That's a great tip!

[@ImaginaryMdA]

'that' 'just' and 'only' are in like 90% of my sentences before editing. lol

[@TurtlesAndTortoises302]

Same 😂 And my characters are always saying "Oh" and "well"

[@carlajenkins1990]

@@TurtlesAndTortoises302 I have a character that says "Oh" quite a lot. (She's is listening to a bunch of people talking about Communism) Sometimes, "Oh, well" is exactly what you write because it is what the characters do. Rule #1: Be true to your characters.

[@cynthiaking5308]

My favorite, ‘really’

[@sarahstrong7174]

And 'like' ???

[@rachelthompson9324]

That was good. More writers need too use this advice.

[@jimschuler8830]

1) Filter words also put up a barrier between the author and the narrator. If you're writing "she saw," then you are not in the character's head, experiencing what she's seeing. You will miss more opportunities for characterization and development. 4) Pedantry: A weasel is something non-committal, called so because they allow you to weasel out of specific conclusions; "mostly" and "someone" qualify. "Just," "only," and "that," however, aren't weasel words. 99% of the time they are filler words, called so because they fill up space and do nothing else.

[@Saki_Ramen]

Thank you!! ✨🙏

[@Joe-zk7ps]

This is one of the most practical writing videos I've ever seen. Thank you!!

[@phoebechartowich6047]

Dang. I think I just realized that you are a legit professional. And I was expecting ‘show, don’t tell’. These are all helpful, thanks!

[@VirtueAly]

POWERFUL advice, because the tendencies are so common. I'm going to commit these to memory. The Clarity Read is a sparkling gem. Thank you, thank you.

[@stevecooke2041]

I've been watching these videos, for no other reason than I love her voice and girly bossiness! Tips good too.

[@Gcherry64]

Thanks for this video! It's what I didn't know I needed.

[@milestrombley1466]

Good editing advices. It is important to understand what you are trying to tell to your readers.

[@natnickelton2663]

Great writing tips! Love the new haircut too. Looks great!

[@jaysprenkle1026]

Thanks for the little aside about breaking the "rules" for flashbacks. Knowing what the rules are for, and when to break them is important

[@sethrakes1991]

Improve > make better “8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Writing”

[@Frogface91]

Maybe she was testing us, and you passed 🤔

[@ImaginaryMdA]

Not for the algorithm it's not. ;)

[@xtonibx5770]

I'm not sure if Shaelin titles these videos. The videos and the contents of the videos are instructed by Reedsy (the blog Shaelin works for). But yes I agree that "Improve" is a better word. Maybe "Better" just worked more for the algorithm.

[@stevstring]

Good video. The tips on past tense and specificity were particularly helpful. I'm going to start my own list of details. You are so right about how they make writing more real. Thanks, Shaelin. You rock. Peace.

[@Juan_ChoS]

The examples were on point, they helped me a lot

[@diegooland1261]

This is very good, as usual. I'm in a writing group and I find some people (myself included) fill their writing with words to make it seem like they've written something wonderful. "While I contemplated the anguish of anther day of existence, I looked out of the dirty window framed by an embroidered white lace curtain yellowed with age, to see the sun filter through the early morning mist and gently settle on the dew covered milkweed. The noise of the coffee grinder sluggishly milling through a cup's worth of beans gave a noisy counter-point to the majestic silence of the unfolding beauty outside of my grimy abode." Or "I woke up and had a cup of coffee." Great detail in the first example that wow's the writing group but so what? You woke up and had some coffee.

[@keithcarey6312]

This is her best ever. She offers excellent examples this time.

[@jasonhurley9702]

2:28 It allows inclusion of the reader to decide what color joy is for themselves.

[@jasonhurley9702]

😀 What's so alphan funny??..

[@benformation8123]

Thank you for this! I didn't realise I used "had" so much. This video really opened my eyes on some of my grammatical mistakes I didn't even were there.

[@thakiusmuckfeather1103]

Another great video, Shaelin. Keep up the good work!

[@lindasmith3806]

Helpful and communicated well. Thank you!

[@stephenclosson6992]

This is a very helpful video, thanks for the great tips!

[@lilyjane1224]

Thanks. Thought I understood everything about why to and why not to use passive voice. Your example of the tree planted in the past so the subject (the farmer) isn't needed, known or relevant (could have even been an apple tree grown from the core the farmer's son chucked there) has given me a whole different understanding about passive voice and when may be appropriate to use. I already knew about focusing on the subject of the sentence and making the sentence sound cleaner without "was/were"

[@DallasBuiltYT]

Thank you for the tips :)

[@twowisehands1234]

I always love your videos. I am getting a great education, thank you.

[@marjorieyoung-grays2089]

Thank you! Interesting and helpful

[@michaelcartuccio4851]

Gabrielle that's very sweet to say about the Reedsy young lady Miss Bishop! You're awesome and great to Gabrielle!

[@Animalsarebetterthanyou]

I love all your amazing tips and videos, Shalin ❤

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed listening to your brilliant advice, so much so that I’ve subscribed and given you a thumbs up 👍 too. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags

[@ashirahelat4749]

You do the most for helping my writing

[@PhoenixCrown]

Tip on perfect past tense super helpful. "I had previously thought this was very difficult to do. I worked and worked on it but hated when my writing got convoluted with "had." I found myself using "She'd" and "He'd" just so the contraction shortened the "had." Now I know better =)

[@Storyideas81]

How do you find that fine line between being specific and overly specific in your descriptions?

[@xtonibx5770]

I just ask myself if it's really necessary to add that detail. Like if my characters' mother grabbed his hand I typically wouldn't specify which hand she grabbed because it really doesn't matter unless maybe one of his hands are broken or something. It doesn't add anything to say "left" or "right" hand and it's mundane. Describing every aspect of a bedroom is useless and tedious but specifying certain outstanding aspects of a bedroom (like books on the floor, certain posters on the wall, etc) can build a strong image in the readers' mind (without telling them where all the furniture is) and show them what kind of person the character living in the room is. I'm definitely not as educated or qualified as Shaelin but asking myself "who cares?" and "why would this matter or add to the story at all?" helps me a lot.

[@AsadKhan-ql6tc]

These videos are really helpful for writers

[@ShannonsChannel]

Great advice.

[@KnitJones]

Thank you. I needed to hear this

[@johnpavon799]

Thanks for the great tips

[@sysavaneusman5435]

Honestly Shaelin if it's ever another person speaking to us, then I won't watch. You are awesome, pretty too❤

[@expertionis794]

the polygon problem

[@manuelcantu8572]

Great information Thanks so much!

[@emmarettie3610]

Hi Shaelin, great video! Sorry to ask here but I'm looking for a resource that I think you shared/mentioned in another video ages ago. It was a list about drafting/editing a novel, I think from a professor and I remember it being very strict! If this rings any bells please let me know and if not no worries. Thanks for making great content and sharing what you know.

[@thedogs3467]

Wow I love your way of teaching

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thankyou for sharing.

[@jerrycampbell5937]

Great small reminders!

[@tbrighton8531]

The first point isn't the case for a third person omniscient narrator, if you're aiming for the narrator to be neutral. You don't want the narrator's voice to mix with the character you're focusing on

[@ollie2111]

You're so prettyyy 🥺💞

[@zoethepro1958]

SImp

[@ollie2111]

@@zoethepro1958 simpin' ain't a bad thing.

[@Juan_ChoS]

This video was just what I was looking for

[@73altair]

Helpful video. Thanks.

[@lakeshagadson357]

I could find a way to get use to these tips

[@anthonyryan9954]

If anyone deserves to make book sales through their book tube clout, it’s the very objective sincere and competent shaelin. Judging from her advice this is someone who won’t make it through the door just because of drooling beta reader subscribers but because of good writing.

[@charmleneboni]

Pro Writing Aid really improved my writing

[@lakeshagadson357]

i always wanted to do something like this

[@lakeshagadson357]

these things would help people be better writers

[@heatherhaigh]

Thank you.

[@badpunk89]

8:33, does she say "Pros" or "Povs"? What does she mean?

[@leticiapenaloza]

Thank you so much for the ...Past perfect sentence...idea of how to structure my ..slipping into the past narrative. It has improved my own writing as I weave in and out of the past.

[@brycesonflowers8758]

What's the difference between your two channels Reedsy vs ShaelinWrites?

[@sosomweendo]

Good stuff!

[@kalleendo7577]

Fantastic!

[@abhinavhegde6624]

I want to write with the style of old English (i.e. the style which authors like Agatha Christie, J.R.R. Tolkein have adopted). Any tips?

[@TurtlesAndTortoises302]

This sounds super dumb but, just read their books and only their books for a while and suddenly their vocabulary and tone will just "osmosis" into your writing 😂 it happens to me all the time, not on purpose though, sometimes I accidentally adopt the style of another author

[@abhinavhegde6624]

@@TurtlesAndTortoises302 Yeah, it might actually be very helpful... Thank you :))

[@user60223]

Can you make a video on sci fi tropes and tips to write one?

[@Reedsy]

We've got these coming up soon!

[@user60223]

@@Reedsy Wow! Really? Thank you🤗.

[@rickscott5315]

Well said. There may be hope for me😅

[@crioh_]

I have no idea how I want to write my small story, it has to be 4,000 to 6,000 words. I have somewhat of an idea and its due in 7 days. Is it okay if I just go with what I put down, then check through once I'm done and make changes then? I haven't watched really any other videos so I don't know if you have said so.

[@soterbizimana6855]

Gold🥇

[@gobbledygook770]

Ma'am how can writte short book for bigneres

[@tinypoolmodelshipyard]

I lost brain cells trying to read this gibberish. Either English isnt your first language or you had a few too many drinks in you to try and proof read before posting. Holy Cow

[@gobbledygook770]

What do you say I am not understand my first language is Hindi so

[@maliataeli9164]

a video on how to be more specific would be so amazing 😂

[@annexgroup6878]

🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿✌🏾✌🏿 Awesome

[@lakeshagadson357]

are there's other ways I can do this project

[@saikrishnanep2591]

Did you write any stories or books, i need some reference, im sure that would be good.

[@dash6977]

she does write short stories and some of them are free on the internet. go to shaelinwrites and the links are usually on her videos description

[@noahdrutis5952]

Fun fact: I use this for songwriting and writing lyrics :p

[@ValiceTrance]

Same here! It is a great tip video for such

[@christywalker4955]

8 techniques, to improve your writing. Master the written word with just 8 simple tricks.

[@PatIgoe]

very good

[@sherimillman53]

Love the photo of Mark and Nanny Di

[@meenabhatti6264]

Can you edit my story and what are your charges?

[@tashbandit4230]

In my head the joyful flowers were eggshell blue! Anyone else?

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

The fractured light beamed through the window, bounced against the concrete door, as she limped to the bus stop, hidden under wizened trees.

[@BearerOfLightSonOfGod]

He narrates the existence of all life through one book. It does not matter because all that exists must end in this universe. Ultimately they all have the same ending. Fin

[@christopherbrookfield4785]

Is it just me, or does she contradict herself, on the final point about clarity, when she says, at first, that clarity is the key thing, as opposed to complexity and using obscure words. Then she says this style of pros will be strong. Make up your mind! Anyway, I love her lilting, musical voice. I think she is very charming. 💕

[@lakeshagadson357]

it hard for me to focus on writing my book 📙 or 📖

[@slottyken]

I really struggle with metaphors. Describing something in a new and unique way or making a comparison is really problematical for me.

[@kingjoe4893]

Love your voice lol

[@tuduloo7799]

Why put clarity last on this video

[@Hxarh]

8:58 Poetry? 😅 JK, JK. I write poetry all the time.

[@lakeshagadson357]

I don't know if you been on politics and pros before but you be a better fit for it

[@peakwho]

Bruh, I didn't know my girl was on here. Let's go!

[@parmesanplanet7434]

Wym?

[@parmesanplanet7434]

@Jake Stockton idk what does he mean?

[@DaQuestioningCrustacean]

Doctors need to write this down bruh and clearly

[@Papagalli1]

Hi, I have a gigantic intellectual crush on you, keep the good work

[@JOHN.CARIKER]

I really need 10 ways. I am really really bad

[@lioudmilasosioura4021]

I told you just go away from Internet.

[@farhat5120]

1 month exactly, am late 1 month exactly =)

[@soledadgalindo7247]

Yupi

[@timwhistine8863]

Talk s-l-o-w-e-r for clarity. I do not speed read or listen!

[@peterrossiter3725]

When you speak about clarity, I find that sometimes you speak so fast that I don’t understand what you have said!

[@michaelcartuccio4851]

Clarity kills me as well!

[@jeanetteorgan9075]

Stop showing up on my recommended page like Bruh

[@asterixs259]

I loved your long hair rip. Sadge u.u

[@lindsieambrose1395]

Daily Reminder: JESUS LOVES YALL ❤ 😍 💖 ❣ 💕 💘 ❤ 😍 💖 ❣ 💕

[@malalikhan5461]

gcy hi a

[@jeremyjames7009]

Show, don't tell.

[@gatocat3336]

She is not the clearest speaker I’ve ever heard