The 10 SECRETS to Creative Writing Success!

Welcome to the 10 Secrets of Creative Writing Success! Whether you are brand new to writing or are a seasoned veteran, you will emerge on the other side of this course a better, bolder, and far more creatively successful writer.

Before we get cracking, here are a few reminders about how Udemy in general and this course will work.

There is no more important idea than this simple concept - write every day. You can't edit a blank page, so how do you bring it into existence? You show up, sit down, and start writing!

The key to developing that daily writing habit is to set realistic, achievable writing goals. We look at some advice from successful writers, calculate how even modest goals can have very impressive results, and work towards developing your own personal writing goals.

What do you need to be creative? What goal do you want to achieve? Make a promise to your creative self by signing The Pledge!

Developing the habit of daily writing isn't rocket science - all habits are formed in the same way, after all. I explain The Habit Loop and show you how to create your own writing habit.

Ensure that you meet your writing goals by completing this writing prompt in the style that suits you best. You're off to a great start!

Successful writers all have this in common - no matter what else is going on in their lives, they make the time to write. How do you make this happen for you?

Writing is SUPPOSED to be challenging. We write BECAUSE it is difficult - and that’s exactly how it should be.

“One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” - George Orwell

Remind yourself of the reasons you choose to write. What fuels the Writing Demon inside of you?

Writing a vomit draft is a very useful tool because every correction you make breaks your mental flow. You can go back and edit later - first the ideas need to come into being.

First drafts are an important step in the process, but they are not the finished product. Learn to embrace the imperfection of the first draft.

Write a completely unfettered vomit draft! Meet your writing goals by completing this writing prompt in the style that suits you best.

If the key to writing success is to show up, sit down, and start writing, you NEED to develop your attitude towards work in general. Anyone can start something, but how do you FINISH?

Practice honing your work ethic! Continue to meet your writing goals by completing this writing assignment.

We all know that feeling of when we are in our creative flow. What can you do to help get into that ideal creative zone when you write?

What do you need to feel creative? Explore the three most effective ways in which to define a creative space.

Now that you've considered what is necessary to meet your creative needs, make some conscious choices and create your ideal creative space.

To follow your bliss you must first know what brings you joy. Your best writing comes from your authentic self.

We are all the sum of our experiences. What moments in your life have shaped whom you have become as a writer and a reader?

Whether honing your craft or learning to knit, learning something new is essential to maintaining your inspiration. As the writing expression goes - "Everything is material!"

Learning something new can have a tremendous impact on us as writers. But are you up for the Learn Something Every Day Challenge?

The mental approach that you take to your work has a drastic impact on your output. Which writer’s psychology have you been using and can you alter your approach to maximize your inspiration?

Many of us are resistant to the thought of creating an outline for our work. No matter your project, however, taking the time to create an outline will streamline your process.

An outline should be a tool to open up your creativity not close it off. Make sure that your outlines do these three things.

There are so many different ways that you can outline your project. Learn the 11 different ways to outline that I have found to be successful.

Now is the time to apply what we have covered. Create a story outline based on the prompt using a method that you have never used previously.

No one immediately gives birth to fully developed concepts. Use your outline to help you let your ideas take shape.

Now that you have outlined, you are free to go exploring in your piece. Follow your inspiration to completely unexpected places.

Planning you story is important, but don't forget about planning your process. How will you finish the project you start?

Project planning is essential to reaching your writing goals. This quick exercise is a good primer to thinking about how to reach the finish line for your work.

Stories don't start at the start of the story. Give your characters time to develop in your mind before you begin the process of solidifying their actions in words.

Almost all good stories follow the same basic pattern (and you probably already know what it is!) Let's take a quick look at the structure holding it all together.

There are many ways to give your narrative the structure it needs to be effective storytelling. Let's take a look at four of the most common.

Your story needs a good structure for your reader to follow your lead. Here's the second successful story structure.

A good story poorly told will never hook your reader. Let's look at the third successful story structure.

The Hero's Journey is the most complex of the structures and yet it is extremely versatile. Let's see how it appears in modern film.

The organization you choose is key to being an effective storyteller. Here's the fourth and final successful story structure.

You've got to hook your reader right from the start. Why are beginnings so important and what can you do to help ensure yours are interesting?

We know that first lines are incredibly important. Take a look at these famous first lines and decide why they are so effective.

Writing doesn't exist in a vacuum - it is made to be read! Make sure that your writing serves the reader.

If you write with honesty and conviction it will shine through to the reader. Write what YOU want to read!

What can we do to insure that readers want to keeping reading what we have written? Follow these storytelling tips to help grab your reader.

Find your own path to creative writing success. Rules are great, but they were also made to be broken.

The best writing that you will ever do will come from the best parts of who you are. So write as ONlY YOU can write.

Having difficulty finding that perfect tone that embodies who you are and translates to the page? Try this exercise to start the trek towards your elusive writer's voice.

You were born to create something new and release it into the universe. Don't ever let a fear of criticism stop you.

The conviction that you bring to your work will determine much of your success as a writer. Writer, know thyself!

Create a document of your writing identity that motivates you to write. Create a writer's manifesto!

Developmental editing all comes down to one solid principle. If it doesn’t advance the action or reveal character - it has to go.

No one ever got better at anything by being told they were perfect. Get the opinions of people you trust.

We need to seek out the opinions of others who will be honest with us about our writing. Create a list of whom you trust to provide feedback.

As writers, we are often our own worst obstacles.  Get out of your own way and become an aggressive editor.

Editing and writing are different skills. How does one actually edit their work?

Theory is just theory until it is put into action. For this activity, you will edit a short piece of your writing.

A creative mind without the skill to communicate its vision is useless. You need to be able to craft the sound of your language.

The effective use of tone is a huge component of the sound of language. Write about the same event using four different writer’s tones.

The selective and intentional use of imagery is crucial to allowing the reader to visualize what you write. Practice the philosophy of "Show, Don't Tell" in all you create.

What exactly is the difference between showing and telling? Use the 5 Components of "Show, Don’t Tell" to guide your way through this writing prompt.

Your job as a writer is to guide the reader to meaning, not alienate them by using unnecessarily flowery and ornate language. In other words, Keep It Simple, Stupid!

It takes an extreme amount of dedication to achieve creative success in the field of writing. Just make sure that you are applying that dedication to the correct things.

Reading helps you to determine your writing style and how to execute it. You have to read to know how to write.

Modeling is essential to acquire any new skill. Make reading a priority and gain new insight into your chosen field.

The ideas and content we digest and assimilate color everything we create. Fill your creative stores by reading!

Ray Bradbury called on all writers to fill themselves up with reading input. Specifically, he said to read these three things every night.

Many of history’s most successful people could be viewed as “failures until they weren’t anymore.” Embracing and learning from failure are essential to your success as a writer.

Failure comes in all forms. What exactly are the six types of failure and how can you use the Ten Secrets to succeed?

Success in any endeavor comes from approaching the task from the correct mindset. Having a growth mindset is essential to your work as a writer.

No matter where you are on your writer’s journey, you can make progress to where you want to go - if you adopt the correct mindset. Finding your starting point is a good first step.

Successful writers don’t wait around for a good idea, they create something - ANYTHING - from nothing. That’s how you go after inspiration with a club.

Writer’s block is just an excuse to not write. The blank screen is not taunting you, it’s just waiting for you to get busy and fill it in with your words.

Every so often, we experience that moment when everything clicks and the words just pour out of you. Find your elusive writing flow.

Writing is a task that takes commitment and a lot of mental energy. Therefore, you have to find your focus.

We all get FOMO. But what about when the things you're missing out on are actually your own ideas?

“Can I do something with that?” should be your inner monologue played on repeat all day, every day. Absolutely EVERYTHING is material!

Everything is material and memory is fleeting. For the next week, keep a record of your ideas.

Deadlines are the backbone of our productivity. If the world isn’t giving us deadlines, we need to impose some on ourselves.

Throughout this course, I referenced several books that I have found to be particularly useful in my own writing process. Here's that list again.