MISTAKES CREATIVE WRITERS MAKE
FEBRUARY 2013
Lisa Maki
I have always preferred creative writing over other types of writing such as journalism, professional writing, academic, or technical writing. I remember how my professor even corrected me for my College thesis, saying that I write too creatively and should focus on the technicalities of writing.
There is just something about technical writing that curtails the flow of my creative juices. I always feel like rebelling against it. However, even creative writing entails certain rules and technicalities that we can’t do without.
It takes a good balance of creative and technical writing to come up with a real good write-up whether for a blog, a magazine, or a book. This is one area where some creative writers fail. They write from their hearts and what comes up in their minds without the discipline of containing their thoughts into a cohesive message.
Below are the most common mistakes creative writers make.
1. So many themes
I have edited articles that almost gave me a headache simply because there were so many different messages in the write-up. There has to be one central theme, and all other themes should revolve around it. If the theme is parenting, focus on that. Don’t talk about marriage or friendships unless they are connected to what you’re talking about.
2. Scatter-brained
Create an outline. And unless you can remember the outline clearly in your mind, I suggest you write it down. Start with your main theme or topic. Then think of other topics that you want to include under your main topic. Be sure that the sub-topics don’t overpower the main topic. For instance, if your main topic is “divorce” and you want to include a topic on dating, be sure that the dating is not only connected to your main topic of divorce but should only play a minor role in your entire article.
3. Misspelled words and wrong punctuation
Creative writers like me have the tendency to write or type as the thought comes to our minds. When I start writing, I go endless and my computer keys continue clicking non-stop. Thoughts overflow when I begin to write and this can cause me to not pay close attention to my grammatical structure and spelling. Praise God we have a spell and grammar check on our computers, but even with this advantage, I still see a lot of wrong spellings and grammar in articles I read or edit.
One common word I see that is most often misspelled is “insight”. I have seen it spelled as “incite”. Both spellings are right but they don’t mean the same. So your computer would not recognize the difference. Another mistake I commonly see is the use of apostrophe. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession such as “Lisa’s clothes”, and to abbreviate certain words such as “It’s” for “It is”. It should never be used for plurals such as “Lisa has three bag’s”.
My advice is to keep writing and keep the thoughts flowing. Then edit your work.
4. Redundancy of words and thoughts
It is better to have a short article than to have a long one that keeps repeating itself. Refrain from using the same words over and over again too. Look for other meanings to the same word so it won’t look redundant.
5. Talking about things not everybody understands
I understand that some blogs are like journals that record the writer’s day-to-day experience. However, as a writer you have to remember that not all your readers read everything you write. It is always good to refer to your previous article and include a link to it, or just mention it a bit. Never assume that the people reading your article know you so well.
6. Hanging
One secret to a well-written article is a good beginning and good ending. Every other thought is sandwiched in between.
7. Overdrawn
Articles can get overdrawn if the writer can’t seem to finish it, or if she can’t think of a good ending. So if you are having some problems ending your write-up, stop. Go back to it some other time.
There are so many other common mistakes but what I just shared with you are the ones I encounter most of the time.
Don’t let these mistakes take away from your effectiveness as a creative writer.
There is just something about technical writing that curtails the flow of my creative juices. I always feel like rebelling against it. However, even creative writing entails certain rules and technicalities that we can’t do without.
It takes a good balance of creative and technical writing to come up with a real good write-up whether for a blog, a magazine, or a book. This is one area where some creative writers fail. They write from their hearts and what comes up in their minds without the discipline of containing their thoughts into a cohesive message.
Below are the most common mistakes creative writers make.
1. So many themes
I have edited articles that almost gave me a headache simply because there were so many different messages in the write-up. There has to be one central theme, and all other themes should revolve around it. If the theme is parenting, focus on that. Don’t talk about marriage or friendships unless they are connected to what you’re talking about.
2. Scatter-brained
Create an outline. And unless you can remember the outline clearly in your mind, I suggest you write it down. Start with your main theme or topic. Then think of other topics that you want to include under your main topic. Be sure that the sub-topics don’t overpower the main topic. For instance, if your main topic is “divorce” and you want to include a topic on dating, be sure that the dating is not only connected to your main topic of divorce but should only play a minor role in your entire article.
3. Misspelled words and wrong punctuation
Creative writers like me have the tendency to write or type as the thought comes to our minds. When I start writing, I go endless and my computer keys continue clicking non-stop. Thoughts overflow when I begin to write and this can cause me to not pay close attention to my grammatical structure and spelling. Praise God we have a spell and grammar check on our computers, but even with this advantage, I still see a lot of wrong spellings and grammar in articles I read or edit.
One common word I see that is most often misspelled is “insight”. I have seen it spelled as “incite”. Both spellings are right but they don’t mean the same. So your computer would not recognize the difference. Another mistake I commonly see is the use of apostrophe. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession such as “Lisa’s clothes”, and to abbreviate certain words such as “It’s” for “It is”. It should never be used for plurals such as “Lisa has three bag’s”.
My advice is to keep writing and keep the thoughts flowing. Then edit your work.
4. Redundancy of words and thoughts
It is better to have a short article than to have a long one that keeps repeating itself. Refrain from using the same words over and over again too. Look for other meanings to the same word so it won’t look redundant.
5. Talking about things not everybody understands
I understand that some blogs are like journals that record the writer’s day-to-day experience. However, as a writer you have to remember that not all your readers read everything you write. It is always good to refer to your previous article and include a link to it, or just mention it a bit. Never assume that the people reading your article know you so well.
6. Hanging
One secret to a well-written article is a good beginning and good ending. Every other thought is sandwiched in between.
7. Overdrawn
Articles can get overdrawn if the writer can’t seem to finish it, or if she can’t think of a good ending. So if you are having some problems ending your write-up, stop. Go back to it some other time.
There are so many other common mistakes but what I just shared with you are the ones I encounter most of the time.
Don’t let these mistakes take away from your effectiveness as a creative writer.
Lisa Maki is a Professional Development Coach. Please visit her website at ...
www.lisamakiconsulting.com/
www.lisamakiconsulting.com/
