7 Creative Writing Techniques To Become A Best-Selling Author

Is there anything worse for a writer than to see their work fail?

You spend months, maybe even years, pouring your heart onto paper, only to find that it didn’t work out. You’ve switched up your writing space, looked at inspiring picture prompts and reread your favourite books but still can’t find the right words. But the truth is, great writing isn’t just about raw talent or ingenious ideas; it’s about honing your craft with the right techniques.

In fact, the secret to bestselling works often lies in the mastery of creative writing techniques. If you’re an aspiring novelist, a hopeful blogger, or a new screenwriter, understanding and applying these techniques can be the difference between a story that flops and one that captivates.

I’m Marie and after studying the art of creative writing for most of my life, I’m here to guide you through 9 proven creative writing techniques that will make you insanely proud of your work and take you on the path to becoming a best-selling author.

These techniques are not just theoretical; they’re practical, actionable, and have been used by successful writers across all creative writing genres.

What are the techniques used in creative writing?

TL;DR:

• Show, Don’t Tell: Bring your story to life with vivid descriptions.
• Strong Character Development: Create memorable, multi-dimensional characters.
• Engaging Dialogue: Write conversations that sound real and advance the plot.
• Effective Pacing: Keep your readers hooked with the right tempo.
• Unique Voice: Develop a writing style that’s distinctly yours.
• Use of Literary Devices: Master metaphors, similes, alliterations and more.
• Sensory Details: Engage all five senses in your descriptions.
• Tight Plotting: Craft compelling and coherent storylines.
• Revision and Feedback: Understand the power of polishing and critique.

Keep reading to learn the best creative writing techniques to help skyrocket your writing success, whether you’re looking to improve your essays or become the next NY Times Bestselling author.

What is a creative writing technique?

A creative writing technique is a key tool in a writer’s arsenal, essential for bringing stories to life and making any kind of writing stand out. Techniques range from using a figure of speech to add depth, to a plot diagram for structuring your narrative. While authors experiment with different forms, from fiction writing to essays, creative writing techniques provide focus and structure while allowing your creative juices to flow. 

Why is creative writing important? 

Aside from boosting creativity, creative writing is crucial because it taps into human emotions, allowing writers to express their thoughts and ideas. This form of artistic writing goes beyond the confines of academic writing, offering freedom to let your imaginative ideas run wild. It’s about focusing on the reader, crafting pieces that help the reader to be engaged and eager to continue reading. 

Creative writing is more than putting words on a page; it’s about creating experiences that move, entertain, and inspire.

To make writing even more tempting, researchers consider creative writing to be beneficial for your mental health. This is because it provides mental clarity and even improves your memory! 

1. Show, Don’t Tell

One of the most fundamental creative writing techniques is “Show, Don’t Tell.” This technique involves using vivid descriptions to paint a picture in the reader’s mind, rather than simply stating facts. For instance, instead of saying “John was nervous,” you would describe his sweaty palms, his shaky hands, and his pulsing heartbeat allowing the reader to have a direct understanding of his nervousness. 

This type of creative writing brings readers into the scene, allowing them to experience the story as if they themselves were in John’s position. It’s about creating an immersive world that readers can step into, making your writing more engaging and dynamic.

2. Strong Character Development

The heart of any great story is its characters. Strong character development is essential for making your characters feel real and relatable. Start by understanding their background, motivations, and desires. Essentially a character’s journey comes down to their fears and desires. So use these writing prompts as you brainstorm your characters. What is your character’s number one desire? What is their greatest fear? This will give your writing process the direction it needs. 

Flesh out your characters so they have depth and complexity. Remember, even villains should have layers that make them more than just a stereotype. Use their actions, thoughts, and interactions to reveal their personality. When readers care about your characters, they become invested in the story.

3. Engaging Dialogue

Dialogue is a powerful tool in storytelling, serving multiple purposes: advancing the plot, revealing character traits, and adding rhythm to your narrative. Good dialogue should sound natural and reflect the character’s voice, grabbing the reader’s attention. 

Avoid unnatural or clunky dialogue such as “Jane said, ‘Where are we going?’, John said, “to the Church”‘ – this is not engaging at all. Instead, use dialogue to show conflict between characters, build tension, or reveal important information. Describe how the character speaks was it aggressively, smoothly or did John say it with a smirk? Each character should have a distinct way of speaking, influenced by their background, personality, and current emotional state. 

But remember this. A writing skill used by the best creative writers is this: sometimes what’s left unsaid in a conversation can be just as telling as the spoken words.

4. Effective Pacing

Creative writing needs pacing to keep your readers engaged from start to finish. It’s the rhythm of your story, the speed at which events unfold. Effective pacing involves balancing action, dialogue, and descriptive passages to maintain the story’s momentum.

Some forms of creative writing use fast pacing to create excitement and tension, while a slower pace allows for deeper character development and setting descriptions. The key is to vary the pace to match the narrative’s needs – a chase scene should be quick and tense, while a reflective moment may require a slower, more introspective pace.

If you’re one of those writers who prefers constant action, you might find that Flash Fiction is your preferred type of writing. 

But regardless, pay attention to sentence length and structure, as these can also influence the perceived speed of the story. Effectively using pacing will drastically improve your writing. 

5. Unique Voice

Every piece of creative writing needs a unique voice that sets you apart as a writer. Your voice is the way you express yourself on the page, and it should be as unique as you are. It’s influenced by your choice of words, sentence structure, rhythm, and the overall tone of your writing.

The millions of examples of creative writing can be a double-edged sword. Although there is no lack of different techniques and forms of writing you can read, it can be easy to get overwhelmed or try to copy your favourite author’s style.

To find your voice, write regularly and experiment with types of writing. Read a wide range of authors and genres to understand different voices. Over time, your distinctive voice will emerge – one that resonates with your readers and truly represents you as a writer. 

6. Literary Devices 

Whether you’re writing short stories or a novel, the use of literary devices can drastically improve your writing. Let’s take a closer look at a few examples: 

Metaphor

Metaphors allow you to convey complex ideas and emotions by directly comparing one thing to another. For instance, describing time as a “thief” or saying “the world is a stage,” which implies that life is like a performance, with each person playing a role. Metaphors transform the abstract into something tangible and relatable, making your writing more impactful.

Simile

Similar to metaphors, similes draw comparisons between two different things, but they do so using “like” or “as.” For example, saying “her smile was like sunshine” creates an immediate visual and emotional connection for the reader. Similes are versatile tools that can make descriptions more vivid and relatable, enhancing the imagery in your story.

Repetition

Repetition involves the deliberate reuse of words or phrases to emphasise a particular point or theme. It can create rhythm, build suspense, or reinforce an idea. A famous example comes from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, which begins with the line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This use of repetition not only underscores the contradictory nature of the era but also creates a memorable opening that draws readers in. 

Personification

Personification breathes life into inanimate objects or abstract concepts by giving them human characteristics. For example, saying “the wind whispered through the trees” not only paints a vivid picture but also sets a mood, making the environment feel alive and interactive. This technique is particularly useful in creating atmospheres and adding depth to your descriptions.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words. Phrases like “whispering winds” or “dark and daunting” not only draw attention but also create a musicality in your writing. This device can make your prose more engaging and help to emphasise particular themes or emotions through sound.

These elements are not just embellishments; they are powerful tools that help convey complex ideas and evoke emotion in the reader. Excellent creative writing often hinges on the ability to use these devices to deepen the narrative and make it more resonant and memorable.

However, it’s hard as a writer to keep writing without occasionally overusing these elements. Be mindful of how you use creative writing techniques, the key is to find a balance, ensuring that your use of these devices enriches your story rather than overwhelming it. 

7. Tight Plotting

Now here is a creative writing tip to remember when you’re writing! The best creative writing contains tight plotting to craft a story that is flawlessly planned, engaging, and keeps the reader turning every page. A well-plotted story means that every event, character, and piece of dialogue serves a purpose and moves the story forward.

Start by outlining the main plot points – the beginning, the conflict, the climax, and the resolution. Ensure there’s a clear cause-and-effect relationship between events. Subplots can add depth, but they should always tie back to or enhance the main storyline.

Other authors, prefer to write out the climax scenes and then build the rest of the novel around them. It depends on how you like to create a piece of writing. 

Remember, a tight plot doesn’t mean predictable; it’s about making each element of your story intentional and meaningful. This approach keeps your readers engaged and gives them a satisfying reading experience where every piece of the puzzle fits neatly into place. Ask yourself this as you write – ‘does this scene support the overall theme and journey in the story?’, it’s a great way to filter out unnecessary fluff. 

Keep this in mind and you’ll be able to stay on the right track: “if it’s not a good plot, the best writing isn’t going to help. And if it is, the worst writing isn’t going to hurt it” – Hanff Korelitz. 

Ready To Become A Best-Selling Author? 

To become a best-selling author, it’s crucial to understand that stories are essentially a character’s journey, both external and internal. Best-selling authors master the art of creative writing by developing complicated characters, engaging dialogues, and plots that keep readers invested. They use creative techniques to bring their stories to life, ensuring that each element – from the pacing to the narrative voice – complements the other. Remember, the key to captivating writing lies in how effectively you can transport readers into the world you’ve created, making them care about the characters and what happens to them.

In your journey to becoming a best-selling author, embrace practices like freewriting – writing without the constraints of perfection on your first go. This can help unleash your creativity and lead to unexpected, compelling plot points or character insights. Regularly engage in exercises that sharpen your creative writing skills, and don’t shy away from revising and refining your work.  

What are the 4 types of creative writing?

The four main types are fiction, where imaginary characters and plots come to life; nonfiction, factual writing with a creative twist; poetry, using language rhythmically and aesthetically to evoke emotions; and dramatic writing, including scripts for plays and screenplays focused on dialogue and character development.

What are the 7 strategies of writing?

Creative writing is an art that needs a lot of planning to create a masterpiece.

Firstly, planning is crucial; it involves outlining your thoughts and ideas before you start writing. Drafting comes next, where you create the initial version of your piece of work. This is followed by revising, which is the process of reviewing and altering your content to improve clarity and flow. Editing focuses on the finer details like spelling and grammar. Proofreading is the final check for any errors.

Now you’re ready to Publish!

The last stage in your creative writing journey is Reflection, where you consider the feedback and responses to your writing.