(A Comprehensive Interpretation and Practical Guide)
Writing is a long and challenging journey. Countless authors have explored it and developed their own unique experiences and techniques along the way. This article gathers ten writing tips from a well-known author, combining deep insights with practical methods to help you avoid detours on your writing path and create works that are both heartfelt and profound with greater confidence and efficiency.
1. Read voraciously, but always analyze through the “writer’s eye”
Reading is the foundation of writing. When you read, don’t just enjoy the storylines and characters—train yourself to dissect the structure and techniques behind the text. The more brilliant a novel is, the more intricate its narrative design and storytelling methods will be. You might get lost in the plot, overlooking these details, but they will be invaluable resources when you write your own work.
Besides novels, watching films is also highly beneficial. Especially modern Hollywood blockbusters, which often have lengthy runtimes and loose pacing. Imagine yourself as the editor tasked with cutting and rearranging scenes boldly to make the movie tighter and more impactful. This exercise greatly sharpens your understanding of story rhythm and visual narration. Observing and analyzing will broaden your writing perspective and significantly improve your storytelling control.
2. Cut ruthlessly, embracing the “less is more” philosophy
First drafts tend to be lengthy, filled with many unnecessary details and plot points. Many writers—including myself—get attached to certain passages or backstories, but you must learn to let go. Especially in the opening chapters, I often feel that “this is where the story truly begins” and decisively remove redundant earlier content.
Conveying information doesn’t require lengthy paragraphs; carefully chosen small details often speak volumes. As your story progresses, emotional attachments to certain scenes fade, and only by viewing the work from a broader perspective can you keep it tight and powerful. Cutting is a crucial step that purifies and strengthens your writing. Courageously trimming away excess breathes new life into your work.
3. Treat writing as a profession and develop a strict writing routine
Writing is not just about bursts of inspiration; it’s about daily persistence and discipline. Many great writers have set writing goals: Graham Greene wrote 500 words daily; Jean Brady completed 5,000 words before lunch and spent afternoons replying to readers’ emails. My minimum is 1,000 words a day—even when the process feels painfully slow, like “constipation,” I force myself to sit at the desk and not give up easily.
What matters is that the first draft often contains “garbage” text, but if you keep writing, you can refine it later. Viewing writing as a job, supported by professionalism and time management, steadily improves both your writing efficiency and quality.
4. A novel is not a tool for “self-expression” or “therapy,” but an art of reader experience
Many think writing novels is about “venting emotions” or “healing oneself,” but this is a misconception. The core of writing is to serve the reader, creating a reading experience with skill, patience, and selflessness.
I often compare a novel to an open-air market tour: the writer’s job is to “seat” the reader in the first chapter’s carriage and guide them through various landscapes, mysteries, and surprises. The entire journey requires rhythm and layers, gradually immersing the reader in the story’s path. Writing demands mastery over pacing, structure, and effect—not mere personal confession.
5. Respect every character, including minor roles and background figures
Art comes from life, and everyone plays a leading role in their own life story. As a writer, you need to give life to your supporting characters, consider their stories and motivations, even if they only briefly intersect with the main plot. This respect for characters makes your story more three-dimensional and authentic.
Detailed portrayals of minor characters not only enrich your story’s world but also reflect the protagonist’s personality and fate from different angles, making the overall narrative fuller and more layered. A meticulously crafted secondary character often becomes an unforgettable highlight for readers.
6. Control narrative pace and length, avoiding irrelevant content overload
Characters must be distinctive and vivid, but also serve the narrative function. Imagine a classic painting like Hieronymus Bosch’s The Mocking of Christ—each figure is distinct and symbolic, composing a concise yet powerful story.
Your writing should emulate this compactness: every scene and character must have a clear purpose, avoiding information overload and cumbersome narration. A refined narrative makes the story more tense and impactful, leaving a deep impression on readers.
7. Avoid “overwriting”: ditch unnecessary embellishments and flowery language
Many beginners mistakenly believe that novels require elaborate language to be high-quality, but simple and precise language often moves readers more deeply. Avoid repetitive sentences and remove useless adjectives and adverbs. Simplifying in these details makes your writing stronger.
You can learn from authors like Colm Tóibín or Cormac McCarthy, who use limited yet exact words to create powerful emotional impact. Simplicity is not poverty; it is a profound artistic choice that helps convey purer power.
8. Master pacing — the lifeline of writing
Excellent writing is not just about beautiful wording; it requires control over the overall rhythm. Many students in writing classes can produce elegant sentences but struggle to maintain flow and tension throughout their work.
Think of a film director who uses slow and fast shots to guide audience emotions; writing should do the same—sometimes detailed description, sometimes swift progression—letting readers feel as if on a real journey. Pacing is key to keeping readers deeply engaged without fatigue.
9. Don’t panic; face anxiety and writer’s block with patience
During writing, especially mid-way, you may encounter self-doubt, anxiety, or even panic. The screen may seem full of nonsense, accompanied by fear of failure and shadows of life pressures or financial worries. But persisting—even writing just a little—is continuous progress.
Taking breaks, going for walks, or discussing with others can help you gain fresh perspectives. Prayer or seeking inner strength is also spiritual support. Many writers have faced lows; the key to success is whether you persevere to the end.
10. Talent matters, but understanding the rules is essential before breaking them
Truly great writers—like James Baldwin, Dickens, or Angela Carter—possessed immense talent, enabling them to freely break rules and create unique styles. But for most writers, mastering the fundamental rules is critical.
Only by fully understanding the reasons behind these rules and their effects can you bravely break them at the right moment to write truly original and moving works. Rules are bridges, not shackles; respecting them lets your writing reach higher levels.
These ten tips cover reading, writing habits, character development, language use, pacing control, and psychological adjustment. I hope you can flexibly apply them according to your own situation, continually grow, and write your own brilliant stories.