Writers Checklist! Make Sure You Have All The Qualities Of a Great Writer Here!

[0jacksonredwall]

I agree with most of those tips. But I hate writing outlines. I have learned that writing outlines limits what I can write, and doesn't really let the story flow from one chapter to another as well. I like to think loosely what will happen in my head, but I never limit myself to just this one thing, and nothing else is acceptable. I do understand that less experienced writers and writers that like order will not agree with this, and need outlines to help them write their stories.

[Lyssa45]

Well, you have an amazing point! I mean, I don't have an outline in my stories and I just write down whatever comes to my head and piece it all together; it comes out pretty well.
But for some people, they might find it easier to have an outline, or an idea of what might happen just to give a little head start. It's all about what the writer prefers to do. It might not help at all; people also might like just being organized and have a plot of each chapter written out (or bits that they'll put together to make a chapter) to make it flow easier. It's all about how you write, though...like your technique or style.
And plus, we can always change what we've written if we don't like it, right?
Thanks for bringing that up!

~Lys

Thanks! But I will say this in the nicest way as possible. Isn't this ehhh a little bit of telling us how to write a story? Just saying trying not to sound offensive.

[MissRandom]

I love these tips (though I'm horrendous at outlines...)! I use them as much as possible in my writing. But can I make a comment on your (very true) tip about description? Here's something I notice a lot when people write:
"And then, I saw her. She had long, dark curly hair and bright green eyes. She was tell, with pale, freckled skin and a lean figure. She was so pretty.
'Hi,' she said.
'Hi,' I said back."

See, what I don't like about it is that the author describes this girl right after she's mentioned. Instead of going on with the story, they start describing her, which, IMO, makes the story a bit less smooth and flowing. Reading a story is like floating in the ocean. You don't want to get tangled up in the seaweed, but it should brush by you. If you get tangled, you aren't flowing with the current. Of course, I think there are times when you SHOULD slow down the story, but it annoys me when writers stop their writing to fully describe something every single time. And it leaves the bits that don't have description boring and way too fast-paced (not the good kind of fast-paced). What I do is I combine action and description. I think the story would sound much better if the author did this:
"And then, I saw her. She was far lovelier than I expected. She sat down, crossing her long, pale legs. Tucking a dark lock of hair behind her ears, she looked up at me, her eyes glistening like leaves covered in dew.
'Er... hello,' she murmured shyly. Sweat gathered on my palms. It was all so... awkward.
'Uh... hi,' I muttered. I was at a loss for words. It had been so long since... she had gone. She had grown into a lovely young lady. I looked up at her to find a warm smile spread on her freckled face. I was welcome here."
Not the best, I know, but you get the picture. Sorry this post is kind of long. And somewhat pointless. XD Just wanted to share a tip. Speaking of tips, yours are truly genius ones! I'm going to try the 5-2-2 rule and see what happens.

[Lyssa45]

Oh, thank you for posting this! You brought up an amazing point. The story should flow completely without breaks in it (if that makes any sense). I mean, there shouldn't be any times of no description, nor times with too much, that takes away from the rest of the chapter/story. This would really affect people's stories if they put this into consideration. Thanks for posting! (Your editing of what that author wrote was very good, as well!)

~Lys

[copycat123]

I think I will use this checklist for my school's writing prompet.......Thanks!

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[Lyssa45]

You're welcome! I'm glad you'll be able to use it!

~Alyssa

[Jumping Wizard]

Great tips, Lyssa!

[tiffc]

Hi Lyssie!

I love the idea of the 5-2-2- method, but I have a tip my english teacher told me before; you should make a list of qualities you want in each and every character It might seem like a lot of work, but it seems to work in deciding how your character would deal in situations and they way they act.

I hope you put this on the list

Amazing checklist! This really helps beginning writers. I'm pretty sure I've got all these steps down, I'm an amazing writer if I do say so myself. Rep points to you.