YourWritingJourney

Take the next step on YourWritingJourney with @MikeDDunphy—18 years a journalist, 10 years an editor, 8 years a writing instructor @GothamWriters

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@NSReicher True! I find it becomes even more therapeutic when it seeks to help others, reaching outward instead of digging inward.

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

Maxims, quotations, slogans and affirmations about #writing may help motivate and inspire you as a #writer, but they do nothing to make you a better one. That takes education in craft---as offered by @YWritingJourney #writingcommunity #writerslife #writingadvice #writingtips

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

#Writingtip of the day:

No one likes to step into a messy room or car, and the same goes for #writing. The more neat and tidy your piece looks, the more it'll entice readers into it. Start with paragraph lengths, keeping them mostly uniform. #writingadvice #writingtips

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@ben_foth I always tell my students not to marry another writer, but a banker, hedge fund manager, lawyer, or other lucrative trade. It makes being a writer much easier! It's partly a joke, but there's still a lot of truth to it.

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@FrancesNavajo No #writer can improve in a silo, so it's important to share your work and ideas. But aim for other writers, not friends or family if you are seeking real critique and feedback, rather than affirmation. #writingtips #writingadvice

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@ButlerKaycie It's the great game of Tetris! :)

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

#writingtip of the day

Most readers give you just 2-3 paragraphs to hook them into a story. That means establishing the main point/angle and direction of story by then. Otherwise, you may lose the reader entirely. #writingtips #writingadvice #WritingHacks #creativenonfiction

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@DNicholsAuthor You don't actually have to be a great writer to be a successful writer---and vice-versa.

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@IngmarAlbizu That's a good point and reflects the need to bring something new to the table, whatever you're #writing about. How can you advance the conversation?

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

#Writingtip of the day:

Bringing a text to life means infusing it with energy. One simple way to do this is to shift more than 50% of your verbs to active ones---not stative or passive. At the start of a piece, increase this to 90%. #writingadvice #writingtips #WritingCommunity

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@tlambertwrites It's one of the most effective things a writer can to do improve when done in the right way. Just no friends or family!

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@WagsRJ It may also be helpful to expand the definition of "writing" beyond sitting down at a screen and typing away. You can build stories in your mind, text ideas to yourself, set up chats with other writers, and so on.

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

#Writingtip of the day

Quotes are gold and should not be sandwiched in the middle of a paragraph, where their pop and power becomes diminished---if not lost entirely. Put them at the start or end to let them ring and resonate. #writingtips #writingadvice #writingcommunity

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

#Writingtip of the day: The vast majority of pitches editors receive are terrible, which means if can learn to write even a decent one, you'll stand out from 90% of other #writers. Invest the time and effort and see the difference. #writingtip #writingadvice #writingcommunity

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@nikkibynight I think tact matters a lot in this, but it seems a lost art today :)

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@roxannesmolen A great point! I would also add that sometimes it's how you research that makes the difference. Learning best practices both speeds the process and finds that source that makes or breaks the writing idea. Good researchers also tend to get more paid work.

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

The art and magic of #writing draws us to it, but it's the craft that makes you excel and stand out from others---and get paid. Improve your craft at YourWritingJourney. #writingcoaching #writinginstructor #writingcommunity #writerslift https://t.co/k9GQhR9ndV

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@jenrosesmithvt And teaching!

[YourWritingJourney @YWritingJourney]

@bassab1 So long as you adore your editor because they challenge you, not just validate.