Creative Writing Tips.

• Establish a credible setting: use evidence, quote physical and emotional spaces. Use similes and metaphors to extend your description.
• Think about structure: Where is the end point of the story? What are the series of events, complications and climax that shape the structure?
• Who is the protagonist? Is there an antagonist?
• Play with your sentence structure. Try short/long sentences – look for effect.
• Play with imagery/patterns of imagery/symbolism.
• Use figurative language sparingly but do not be clichéd.
• Go for the simple language/ simple sentences. Cut the adjectives and see the effect.
• Go for atmosphere – try and create a relaxed or tense mood. Think about pathetic fallacy.
• Give a credible ending – open ended/cliff hanger or tying up loose ends.
• Where is the climax? Is there a denouement?
• Is there symbolism inherent within the text? Repeated motif.
• Can you make any allusions to classical/popular culture?
• Is there a postscript?
• Do minor characters play a part?