42 Great Twitter Writing Tips Clarified by Marie Lavender

42 Great Twitter Writing Tips Clarified:

a blogger post by Marie Lavender

Being on Twitter every day, I’ve come across so many helpful writing tips. I thought it might be apropos to include some in today’s post on Writing in the Modern Age.

Without further ado, let’s begin.

Nick Morrison, Unsplash

Twitter Tip #1

https://twitter.com/thescribesource/status/1103052724797669376

Description is everything. Use sensory details and vivid imagery to bring the setting, and the story to life. Do your best to picture what you're writing about and introduce it as if the reader has never experienced it before. How does the air feel? What does the forest smell like? What sounds does the character notice? 

After I finish writing a manuscript, I go back to check every scene and chapter and make sure I've used the five senses at least once throughout. The aim is to help the reader to not only visualize a setting, but to get the sense that he or she is actually right there with the character.

Be specific as well. What type of trees does the character see? What flavor of coffee do they drink?

Twitter Tip #2

https://twitter.com/FarahGhuznavi/status/1104952105276628998

It is okay to let your characters take over sometimes. No kidding; they might lead you in a direction you never imagined.

Twitter Tip #3

https://twitter.com/stressfreepub/status/1102603949440409600

This tip is subjective. Some people swear by it. For myself, I say avoid major edits in the first draft, unless the issue is so glaring that you can’t focus on writing the story.

Twitter Tip #4

https://twitter.com/Your_Coffee_Fix/status/1105472359396454403

It’s always good to grab the writing bull by the horns and hop along for the ride! But if you absolutely cannot slow down enough to start writing, then at least jot down some notes. That way, you won’t forget the idea and you can’t miss your chance to really dive in when you’re ready.

Twitter Tip #5

https://twitter.com/NonfictionAssoc/status/1103688065988681730

Some writers try to stick to a set schedule, a specific time devoted to writing every day. Others a few times a week, or just whenever they can fit it in. Whatever works best for you, but from personal experience, I agree that aiming to stick to a planned time – and committing to it, folks – is never a bad idea. This year, due to unforeseen complications, I was only able to write on Wednesdays and Sundays, and sometimes before bedtime. In previous years, I tried to work a little on the project every day, even if it was just research.

Twitter Tip #6

https://twitter.com/NovelAcademy/status/1103075250043060225

Try to find a way to make writing a priority in your life. You’ll be much happier overall with yourself, and you won’t regret it in the long run.

Twitter Tip #7

https://twitter.com/nharvdotcom/status/1104521862267072512

Don’t forget to proofread your own work! You’ll be amazed at all the errors you can find with each pass. Hiring an editor doesn't hurt either.

Twitter Tip #8

https://twitter.com/FarahGhuznavi/status/1103994805288296453

Be strong and brave. Go for your writing dream! :)

Twitter Tip #9

https://twitter.com/PdallevaAuthor/status/1105510267666993152

We must be willing to travel far, inside and outside ourselves, to places most people wouldn’t dare to dream of, just to find that crumb of an idea that will explode into life and inspire others to reach out the way we do.

Twitter Tip #10

https://twitter.com/AndrewLafleche/status/1105453798481371136

Disregarding all the tongue-in-cheek conceit, he has a point. Sure, you should consider your audience on some level. But don’t let that be your full purpose. Write for yourself first. 

Write the story that calls to ‘you’ and you alone, not someone else.

Twitter Tip #11

https://twitter.com/vinspire2004/status/1105244517324738560

Flaws make us human. Your character will naturally have flaws too. Give the determined detective a few bad habits, or vices. Maybe he’s grumpy now and then. Make him real.

Twitter Tip #12

https://twitter.com/opwrites/status/1105106412206780416

Decide if your stories are more character-driven or plot-driven.

Twitter Tip #13

https://twitter.com/AVintenAuthor/status/1105001247239819265

Break up the monotony of your sentence structure. Be willing to take risks. 

Twitter Tip #14

https://twitter.com/RayneHall/status/1104618454852747264

Don’t use too many ‘ly’ words. There are better, more effective ways to get to the point.

Twitter Tip #15

https://twitter.com/FarahGhuznavi/status/1104356076714045440

Too right. It takes a little madness to be a writer. After all, we’re willing to delve deep into the psyche of another person, to draw out their innermost thoughts and emotions. Some of us even commit crimes on the page in the name of a good story. What could be crazier than that?

Twitter Tip #16

https://twitter.com/greta_solomon/status/1103706069644251136

Sometimes the cure to writer’s block is to get moving. Take a walk. Go on vacation. Visit a museum or art gallery. Revisit the wonder of your own town. 

Explore the world and pay close attention to your surroundings. How would you describe the breeze, the smells, the trees and flowers, even the people? Yes, we're back to the topic of vivid description, but you get my point. By being out there, you can understand better how to use the most effective imagery to make the scene real to a reader.

Also, be willing to step outside of your comfort zone with writing. Try writing a poem, a play or an essay.

Afterward maybe you’ll find you just solved a major plot hole in your manuscript!

Twitter Tip #17

https://twitter.com/AdviceToWriters/status/1103867940116545536

The old adage ‘write what you know’ has always bothered me on some level. What would be the fun in writing what I know? Instead write what you don’t know, what you must learn. Discover new worlds in the process of your writing journey.

Twitter Tip #18

 

https://twitter.com/vinspire2004/status/1103447680422998016

Know your characters inside and out. Anticipate their motivations, and reactions to events. Make them come alive on the page, and the reader will want to follow their story too.

Twitter Tip #19

https://twitter.com/DigiWriting/status/1105119350690889729

I'm the writer, damnit!

We often think we’re the sovereigns of our stories. Don’t be so arrogant as to believe that’s the case.

Give up some of that tight control, and you’ll find yourself opening up to a different world. Listen to your characters. Let your instincts and the story guide you. The muse is never wrong.

Twitter Tip #20

https://twitter.com/dandersontyler/status/1104826511851511809

Ha! I wouldn’t reward myself for one word. But I can see the value in a pat on the back once in a while. Maybe for each scene or chapter finished, take a walk. Or for every five chapters, get a special dessert, or buy a new pair of shoes or different article of clothing. Whatever motivates you to keep going…

Twitter Tip #21

https://twitter.com/bookrepub/status/1104973272527994881

I agree. Be willing to feel vulnerable, or out of your element. One of my favorite writing quotes is by Natalie Goldberg. She said, “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” 

Case in point, how about this one too?

https://twitter.com/lloydrfree1/status/1104164705743106048

Take a risk. Dive into parts of yourself that you keep hidden from others, to make your story even better. Sure, it’s scary, but totally worth it.

Twitter Tip #22

https://twitter.com/AndrewLafleche/status/1104383133363961856

True. We tend to use ‘very’ and ‘really’ too often. Be specific, but don’t use a lot of flowery phrases to emphasize your point. The reader gets it.

Twitter Tip #23

https://twitter.com/NovelAcademy/status/1104207714861887489

Don’t lose hope. Yes, it’s a long, hard journey. Just keep writing!

Twitter Tip #24

https://twitter.com/AdviceToWriters/status/1103928340489093120

Simple, right? ;) The point is to persevere, even when the odds seem stacked against you. 

And if you take a break, just don’t take one for too long. Always get back to writing, even if it’s a paragraph at a time. It all adds up.

Twitter Tip #25

https://twitter.com/JonnyGeller/status/1103077137223991297

The key is ‘suspension of disbelief’. Tell your story well, and the audience will believe it’s possible for those characters.

Twitter Tip #26

https://twitter.com/AdviceToWriters/status/1102599586634481669

Love Kingsolver's work! And she's right. Show enough emotion on the page to make the reader care about what’s happening to the character. When people talk about ‘the fictional world’, it’s because as readers, they were consumed by it for a time, and by the end of the book, they found it just as hard to step away.

Twitter Tip #27

https://twitter.com/loishoffmanDE/status/1105153947344486400

It’s simple. How strong is your desire to be a writer? What’s stopping you?

Twitter Tip #28

https://twitter.com/AdviceToWriters/status/1102478786547929088

I think we’ve done our best, even as fiction writers, when we can touch on the human condition, express essential life truths through our stories. To create tales that any reader will find relatable.

Twitter Tip #29

https://twitter.com/katherineluck/status/1105126565397053441

All it takes is effort and practice. In reality, no one is an expert. We just get a little better at writing over time.

Twitter Tip #30

https://twitter.com/fluffysammy/status/1102196818044243970

A fun fact for mystery and horror writers out there, and anyone who crosses them… ;)

Twitter Tip #31

https://twitter.com/FRiversong/status/1104391711751430146

If you're somewhat new to the writing game, editing is more important than you probably realize. Here’s an article I wrote last year about it.

Furthermore, the writing zone is a thing. When I am fully immersed in writing a scene, and then I finally step away, it’s amazing how much time has passed. And I feel all the more accomplished for doing what I love.

Twitter Tip #32

https://twitter.com/spuntoday/status/1104056777048551426

All writers have days when their motivation is lacking. The key is to write regardless of how you feel. Maybe once you try, you’ll find the right spark.

Also, don’t discount the benefits of a strong emotion. Say you got into an argument with someone, or maybe you’re even depressed. Is there a moment when your character goes through the same thing? Pay attention to how you feel. Use that as inspiration to provide details you might not have considered otherwise.

Twitter Tip #33

https://twitter.com/SilverWoodBooks/status/1103748259275780098

Head-hopping will just alienate your reader. Don’t do it. I learned this the hard way years ago, when my first historical romance novel was accepted by a publisher. The editor assigned to my project asked me to rewrite a few sections to fix the head-hopping. Now I always avoid this trap. Most publishers will disqualify your manuscript if the POVs become too confusing.

Separate various points of view by spotlighting each character’s perspective in a different scene or chapter.

Twitter Tip #34

https://twitter.com/RayneHall/status/1102808010257297408

True. It’s up to you which writing tips you choose to accept. I just hope a few of them will inspire you.

Twitter Tip #35

https://twitter.com/authorkatefann/status/1102932229062385664

This is a rule I struggle to implement sometimes, even if I understand why it’s necessary. I often find myself fixing it during the editing process.

Here is an example I just came up with, so you can see the difference.

1) Brandon was angry.

2) Brandon's fists clenched, and his molars ground out a rampant rhythm. He huffed out a big breath. Oh, his enemy would pay for that remark.

See? That is better. In example one, we understand that he's upset about something, but in the second option, the emotion is driven home in a compelling way.

Twitter Tip #36

https://twitter.com/ThunderHorseTN/status/1103352105778245632

I imagine it works for antiheroes too. But definitely avoid info dumping!

Twitter Tip #37

https://twitter.com/JaneCorryAuthor/status/1102847381601693696

Dare to surprise your reader with a great plot twist.

Twitter Tip #38

https://twitter.com/DigiWriting/status/1102620199730274306

Oh, isn’t it wonderful to be a writer? And as a reader, to be mystified by what authors create?

Twitter Tip #39

https://twitter.com/SoYouWantToWrit/status/1102509044307292161

Write what thrills you, what you can’t wait to talk about on the page, or explore with your characters.

Twitter Tip #40

https://twitter.com/greg_levin/status/1105503038561751040

Or another...

https://twitter.com/AlexStarke3/status/1106969341872885761

It is okay to be drunk on the joy of writing, but don’t be so in love with your own work that you can’t find room for improvement.

Twitter Tip #41

https://twitter.com/WorldsongsMedia/status/1104166978540003328

If you haven’t reached that point when you’re literally feeling the emotions of your character, then you likely haven’t connected with them. At that point, you should ask yourself if the character is developed enough on the page. 

For myself, if I am not laughing or crying along with my characters, something is wrong…and don’t ask me if I’m manic. LOL.

Twitter Tip #42

https://twitter.com/FarahGhuznavi/status/1102566977300652032

Ah, the bittersweet end…when reality creeps back in. 

Hey, I’m a writer. Why do I even need to do laundry? I’m not qualified for that.

Life is calling again, and that’s normal.

But at least you can say you have a finished manuscript! ;)

Well, I hope you can glean some helpful writing tips from these forty-two options…seriously, give these Twitter writers more retweets! They deserve it. :) And if you’ve found other writing tips on the site, feel free to add them in the comments below.

As always, happy reading, and have a wonderful weekend!

Blogger Bio

Multi-genre author of Victorian romance, UPON YOUR RETURN, and 23 other books. Reached the Top 10 Authors list on AuthorsDB.com for the last 4 years. Featured interview in the January 2018 issue of Womelle Magazine. The Heiresses in Love Trilogy made the TOP 10 on the Anthology category on the 2018 P&E Readers' Poll, and BLOOD INSTINCTS reached TOP 10 status in the Romance category. The Heiresses in Love Trilogy and DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART both reached the semi-finalist round in the 2018 AuthorsDB Book Cover Contest. Voted TOP BLOGGER for 2018 on the Romance Lives Forever Blog. TOP 20 Authors of 2018 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated and made it past the first round in the 2018 Author Academy Awards. UPON YOUR LOVE and THE MISSING PIECE placed in the TOP 10 on the 2017 P&E Readers' Poll. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated for the 2017 Reader's Choice Awards. The I Love Romance Blog became a finalist in StartDating DK's Romance Blog Awards of 2017. ILRB landed on Feedspot’s 2017 TOP 100 Novel Blogs and TOP 100 Romance Blogs. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART placed in the TOP 10 Books of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. TOP 20 Authors of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013, 2014 and 2016. 2013 and 2014 Amazon Bestseller Ranking for UPON YOUR RETURN. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 24 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several anthologies. Her current published series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series and The Blood at First Sight Series.

 

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