Make your writing POP!

Hi Everyone

Have you ever had that feeling that your writing lacks a certain ‘something’?

You have a great story and you’re dedicated to telling it. You’ve read up on how to write a book and have a structure you think will work. But you’re still not sure your writing has enough variety to keep your readers engaged.

That’s where this post comes in.

I discovered a great tip a while ago, and it’s really helped my writing. Now, when I write, I make sure to use DIAD in every scene.

DIAD stands for Description, Introspection, Action and Dialogue.

Here’s how it works:

1. Description

Set the scene. Where are your characters? What does the setting look like, smell like, sound like, feel like, taste like?

It’s important to find ways to show your character interacting with the setting. It’s also important to find new ways to describe your setting. Try to visualise what the scene looks like, and then use every writer’s tool you have to bring that scene to life.

2. Introspection

In every scene include your character’s reflections on the action or the dialogue or the setting. Remember, your protagonist is on a journey. The events in the book shape them and change them, and you want to give your readers insights into your character’s journey. Introspection is the way to do this.

3. Action

A scene cannot be static. To make your writing pop, have your characters moving while they speak, think or talk. How you describe this action can bring your scene to life.

4. Dialogue

I wrote a post here about creating characters. One of the ways in which you can create more rounded characters is not only fleshing out their motivations, personality and background, but also, their characteristics.

When your characters talk, what do they sound like? Are their voices low, high, soft, rough? Do they repeat certain words or phrases when they speak? What are they doing with their lips/hands/body/feet when they talk? What about tics, for example, a nervous twitch or a curling of the mouth that signifies disdain or cynicism? These are the nuances which make your characters come alive, and make your writing pop.

I hope these tips help you and that DIAD might find a place in your own writing.

All the best and let me know how you get on.

Jacqui.

#writingcommunity #writerslife #author #pages #plot #readinglist #literature #kindle #reader #literate #library #climax #page #writer #read #nook #stories #authorsofinstagram #reading #imagine #bookworm #story #books #authors #words #amwriting #text #book #writing #novel #writers #writersofinstagram

#indiebooks #indieauthors #SupportIndieAuthors #TBRList #FallReading #MustRead #summerreads #authorsofinstagram #australianauthor #aussiereads #historicalfiction #literaryfiction #WomensFiction #australianauthor