creative writing 101

Thank you for putting yourself out there and sharing something that could be of benefit to many.

You have a powerful story to share. I'd like to encourage you to take the following revision suggestions on board to make sure readers can connect:

> Edit for greater flow and clarity. Read aloud to a friend, or yourself, with an ear to catching the sentences, transitions and phrases that don't flow. Make sure any reader could hop into your story and easily follow along.

> Clarify your intended message for readers. Why are you sharing this with a wider audience? What can they learn, and how can it benefit their lives? Clarify that, and make sure every line supports your core message.

> Expand. I feel like you're just getting started in your last lines. Develop your conclusion further to drive your message home.

We’re not here to change your fundamental message (usually)—we are here to make sure your message can connect.


Tips:

· if there's tpyos in your contribution, c'mon. Please fix that. Check for grammatical errors, overall flow, and delete superfluous words and phrasing. Read our writer's guidelines and read this out loud to a friend or via our  writer's group  (you can ask someone to read your draft, and return the favor to them). Then send it back.

· Carefully following our writer's guidelines will make for a stronger submission. Please refer to the 1B. Tone & Edits section of our writer's guidelines . We turn pieces away when writers don't follow them. 

· Is your message specific, personal and original? If you’re saying “you” every other sentence, it’s probably not.

· What does your article offer that other articles on elephant on a similar subject don’t? IE, why should readers read this? Find what is unique in your message and make sure your experience shines through clearly.

· Is there one unified theme throughout the article (beginning, middle, and end)?

· Does your piece leave the reader with a call to action? How could it be of benefit to their life?

· Are you engaging the reader on a topic that is close to your heart without sounding like you are offering patronizing advice? Visualize yourself communicating your message to a friend.

· Take a look at some of the popular pieces on elephant that you find yourself drawn to. What is it about those articles that appeal to you?

· Read your own piece aloud—to a friend—to see how it sounds. Edit it as you do so. Seriously, a peer edit is a super helpful writing tool.

· Ask yourself if this is " emotionalism ."

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