Do you know your writing crutches? Your placeholders? Everyone has some. These are the “defaults” that come automatically to you when you’re on a roll, writing away in a flow state, just getting the words on the page. They can be pet adjectives, or gestures or facial expressions that your characters use over and over, or dialogue patterns that you always use.

It’s fine. The purpose of first drafts is to get your story into a form that’s observable, rather than just drifting around in your imagination. But when you set out to refine your story, that’s when these habits need to get a good sharp look. Then you ask yourself (or your editor will put it to you) “Are these devices enhancing the experience of the story, or will their presence be distracting for the reader?”

‍ Let’s take a look.

What if?

The premises of a lot of memorable stories can reduced to a question that starts with “what if…” Read on to see how you can generate a story with this device.

This is January in Ottawa. It’s snowy. It's cold. Yes, we make jokes about the weather hurting our faces, but it could definitely be worse. Look: it was sunny today!

Have you made any writing resolutions or goals this year? This is the perfect time to book your editing!

For a lot of people, updating their resumé one of those chores that only gets done when it’s absolutely necessary; specifically, when they’re applying for a new job, or their current employer is re-working the company website and asks for their blurb. Procrastinators of the world, unite! Tomorrow.

BUT, did you know that the best time to update or re-work it is when you don’t have a pressing need? Here are the reasons why: