2 Underrated Writing Lessons

There are many articles you read about writing advice that seem to throw the same few bits and details at writers over and over again. Be descriptive, read more, write every day, write what you know - the list could go on and on. 

Now I'm not saying this is a bad thing because sometimes we need to see something ten - or even a hundred times before it sticks in our minds as something we ought to be paying mind to. 

But what about the lessons that don't get as much time in the spotlight because they're not seen as the main stars of the writing advice show? 

In this article, we'll explore two underwriting writing lessons and the books that teach them to us. 

Depth Through Imperfection 

Readers don't come to your story to read about perfect characters in their perfect lives, living in their perfect houses with the white picket fence. They come to find characters that they can relate to even if they can't relate to the situation those characters are living through exactly - not that they want to in some cases. 

Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl" gives readers two deeply flawed characters, but readers can't help but be drawn into their twisted worlds with their deception and manipulation. 

Your characters don't have to be as deeply flawed as Nick and Amy, but if you want your readers to relate to them, to find themselves in their shoes, make sure to give them flaws. 

The Power of Small Details 

Small details can bring your scene from something to something that will strike all the cords with your readers. 

Even a small detail as the description of the room which many might glance over can give the scene a whole new life and bring it to the foreground of your reader's experience. 

"It was Christmas, lights twinkling on the canal bridges at night; red-cheeked dames en heren, scarves flying in the icy wind, clattered down the cobblestones with Christmas trees lashed to the backs of their bicycles. In the afternoons, an amateur band played Christmas carols that hung tinny and fragile in the winter air. 

 - Donna Tart, The Goldfinch

The details aren't huge passaged describing the city at night, Tart gives the reader only a few details yet they can picture the street in their mind, the lights, the trees, and the crisp winter air. 

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Every book can teach us something about writing as each writer has their strengths. 

These lessons are also easy to incorporate into your own writing, and while I would never say that writing more or reading more will even be bad advice sometimes the lesser-known things that make a story work need their moment in the spotlight. 

Best of luck! 

With love, 

B. xo xo

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This story was originally posted on Medium.

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