Make sure you have a compelling story to tell. Establish a strong, clear goal or need for your main character, then throw lots of obstacles in the way of them achieving it.

 

Make sure the stakes are high. Ask yourself: What will happen if my main character doesn't get what they want/need? Will anyone care?

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Create strong, memorable characters. Start with a focus on two or three personality traits. Counterintuitively, this will help you build a more authentic individual than trying to show every single shade of grey.

 

Be clear. Sounds basic and it is, though it's surprising how often what seems obvious to a writer can cause confusion in their reader. Remember if people don't understand what you've written they'll soon lose interest.

 

Conflict is your friend...it leads to drama and is a great opportunity to reveal character. Build tension into every scene.

 

Ask yourself if each twist and turn of your plot is both unexpected (a predictable story is a boring story) and yet credible and convincing.

 

Show don't tell. It's usually much more effective to show the people, places and events in your story than to report or summarise them. Write 'in the moment'.

 

Use all the senses - write about how things feel, smell, sound and taste as well as how they look.

 

Be specific. whether you're trying to describe a person, a place or a feeling, it's the details that bring a story alive.

 

Be prepared to make changes to your first draft. everyone has to revise their work. Writing is mostly rewriting!