5 Tips for Casual Writers

5 Tips for Casual Writers

Anybody Can Write a Novel

Chapter 9 “Types of Writers” – Section 5 “Casual Writers”

With Links to Supplementary Material

I finally have internet again, and so will be talking today about Casual Writing—an attitude toward storytelling that is more laid back and finds a secondary place when compared to other interests. There is great power in this sort of writing that comes through a greater sense of detachment from the words on the page, which allows for very powerful editing, and no feeling of being hurried. However, as a secondary skill and interest, there must be measures in place to raise the writing to a high enough level for publication, as well as ways to ensure that the writer does not become disinterested in their work in the long amount of time required to finish a novel at that pace.

Tip 1: Emphasize the importance of a writing schedule, an outline, and a second work.

While the tools of a writing schedule, a plot outline, and a second book to work on, are important for all writers, they are especially so for a casual writer. The reason? A writer who dedicates all their time and energy into the craft can afford to make horrendous mistakes, to write sporadically and wastefully, and to gradually learn at a more exploratory pace—as they are working on that which is their primary goal and passion. However, a causal writer must combat the urge to abandon their work due to boredom or new ideas, by strategically writing with a pace and amount of strategy that will get them to their goals with the most efficiency. So even if for only twenty minutes a day, be sure to write with scheduled frequency so that your idea does not become cold; write with an outline so none of your precious writing time is wasted; and keep a second work in mind so that you can quickly switch to a new writing project and keep your writing skills sharp between drafts.

Tip 2: Create a personal connection with the characters and the plot.

Casual writers have a tendency for terrific ideas for plot, characters, and story, but less attachment. This creates a healthy amount of objectivity with which they can edit, but a certain level of detachment that can often be perceived by an audience, as well as a detachment that will make it hard to continue writing. Spend some time getting to know your characters and the struggles they'll face. Put yourself into their shoes, draw them, research them, have imaginary conversations with them. Make all of them, even the villains, your friends that you truly care about. Create a passion that will empower your work and allow a balance with your power of objectivity.

Tip 3: Utilize your other skills to strengthen your story without overshadowing it.

I can always tell when a real-life war veteran is writing a story and will eventually put the book down nine times out of ten. Why? Because most will have put such emphasis into technical precision, war research, history, and military accuracy that it distracts from the plot. No matter what your expertise, it will automatically carry over into the subtle details of the story, and quite impressively so. So focus your attention not on emphasizing in-text those things over which you have expertise, but on telling a powerful and clear story.

Tip 4: Write during research/sketching/designing.

Obviously, this goes back to having a writing schedule, but always be writing. Too many of my friends who write casually will have wonderful ideas for stories and put a ridiculous amount of work in them. Then, they will put some time aside to work on their other interests, doing research for the story, or creating art for it, and will spend so much time away from the story that they lose interest. They repeat this process over and over in a vicious cycle that only ensures that their writing never goes anywhere. Stick with your story, stay writing even if only a paragraph or few sentences a day, and finish drafts at your own pace.

Tip 5: Find a Writing Partner who is primarily a writer.

Find a tutor, a writing partner, a test-reader, or an editor who is primarily interested in writing. They will be able to give you technical insight into writing that will be invaluable to telling the story you want to tell, and will have the skill to teach you the many super-subtle writing tricks of the trade. And in exchange, you can offer to help them with whatever area of expertise you happen to have. If you're primarily an artist, offer to design their book's cover in exchange for an in-depth critique, or something like that. Just know your strengths and the areas in which you still need growth, and find people who you can likewise teach and learn in areas that you both need. Form partnerships, friendships, communities, and then thrive in your unified efforts towards creating great art.

As an end note, I know I skipped Market Writing... and will come back to it when I have more solid ideas for an article that will really benefit marketing writers. Until then, thank you all for your continued patience during this month of sparse internet and sparser tutorials. I've been coming up with ideas for many of the tutorial that you all have requested, and they will be on their way very soon. Thank you also for your many comments, ideas, and suggestions for this chapter of the guide—they've been more helpful than I can adequately express.

Feel free to comment with other suggested resources. Any questions about writing? Things you want me to discuss? Comment or send me a message and I will be glad to reply or feature my response in a later article. If you enjoy my reviews, please feel free to share my articles with friends, add it to your favorites, become a watcher on my page, or send send a llama my way!

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