BEFA Film Festival 2024 is Accepting Short Film and Documentary Submissions

Are you a talented female filmmaker with a compelling story to share? The BEFA Film Festival welcomes submissions for its inaugural event, celebrating women-centric narratives.

This global foundation aims to highlight the diverse and inspiring experiences of women, amplifying the voices of female storytellers worldwide.

Submit your short films, films and documentary that address gender issues!

Eligibility for the BEFA Film Festival Submission

Show your creativity and contribute to the global conversation by meeting the following eligibility criteria:

• Participants: Open to all women storytellers and filmmakers.
• Theme: Submissions should center on women’s experiences and perspectives.
• Global Reach: Filmmakers from around the world are encouraged to participate.
• Submission Deadline: June 30, 2024.

Submission Guidelines

Participate seamlessly by adhering to the following submission guidelines:

• Narrative Focus: Submit films that authentically portray women’s experiences.
• Female Filmmakers: Open exclusively to films created by talented female filmmakers.
• Format: Accepting various film formats to accommodate diverse storytelling styles.
• Submission Deadline: Ensure submissions are received by June 30, 2024.
• Contact: For inquiries or submission details, email admin@befafoundation.org.

Rewards

• Global Exposure: Showcase your work on a global platform, reaching diverse audiences.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow female filmmakers and industry professionals such as scriptwriters, directors, editors etc.
• Recognition: Gain recognition for your contribution to women-centric storytelling.
• Join us for the premiere BEFA Film Festival in the summer of 2024, where your stories can inspire, empower, and resonate on a global scale. Submit your narrative and be a driving force in the celebration of women in film!

The post BEFA Film Festival is Accepting Submissions for Short Films and Documentaries / How to Apply (Prize: appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Budding writers often wonder how to write a story. Not just a story, but a good story that everyone remembers and recommends. The world is full of stories, so you have to work hard at yours to make it outstanding. So if you often wonder how to create a story, you have come to the right place. 

Prolific writer, Charles Opara in his article, offers writers a step-by-step guide on how to write a good story. This guide will help you figure out how to  create the best story you possibly can. It will also show you how to overcome certain challenges that writers face such as unproductivity nnd writers’ block.

Ready to learn? Let’s read on.

How To Write A Story Like A Literary Great (Story Writing Tips + Examples)

It is almost impossible to learn how to write a story without first understanding the concept of the story. So let’s start by describing or defining a story.

What is a story? 

When you think of a story, think of a necklace. Or a string of pearls. The entire string is the narrative. Simply put, it is the fiction-writing mode in which the narrator communicates directly to the reader.

The pearl, in other words, is the description. It usually contains the scenes. (Recall, the four rhetorical modes of discourse: narration, description, exposition, and argumentation.)  

Scene vs. Narrative And Why They Matter In Storytelling and Story Writing

The scenes paint a picture and they usually describe places, things, or characters. Consider the piece of string between two adjacent pearls.

In story writing, scenes move at a fast pace. The events that happen in this part are not detailed, and for that reason, advance much quicker.

Here, the writer wishes to inform the reader that this or that occurred, or that time has passed (events that take place between one scene and the next) albeit summarily. Without this vital part it would be difficult to follow the story, difficult to tell what stage the story is in.

While the pearls handle the significant events the writer wishes to share in detail, the string hides details of events the writer does not wish to bother the reader with. I’m sure you’ll agree that the pearls are the beauty of the necklace, the reason why we buy it. And so it is with fiction.

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Write A Good Story.

When writing a story, even if you must sacrifice the plot (that thing that connects all your scenes) you can’t write a good fiction without at least a scene, which would most likely feature a character in a setting.

If you try, the outcome will be something aimed at informing the reader (rather than transporting him to a different time and place) like a story outline, a skeletal account, or plot points. And this is not good.

People read fiction mainly to be entertained, and it’s hard to entertain them when they do not feel drawn to your story.

While creating a story, it is important to note that  scenes are the building blocks of an entertaining story. There is no better way to make readers feel emotions like joy, anger, disgust, lust, horror, sorrow, tension, excitement and the rest than putting them in a scene with your characters.

Learn to move your story forward: How to keep your readers au fait

The renowned German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht, who died in 1956, used narrators or narrative figures to fill the missing action in his plays. Today, the use of narrators before a scene opens has become a feature in epic dramas.

These narrators tell us the action that is not played out for us by the actors, the action that we missed between the last scene and the next.

Figure Out What Makes Up A Good Story

• A good story is a collection of scenes connected by a narrative. In other words, it has description and narration.
• Sometimes, a story can have just one scene.
• A good work of fiction can never be just the narrative. (That would be the story outline or the synopsis, which is different from the sample chapters we send to publishers and literary agents).
• The narration that doesn’t occur within a scene, often giving a sketchy account, is meant to help the reader follow the sequence of events in the story. We will refer to this as the narrative.

Master The Parts Or Elements Of A Story

The plot, the story goal, the theme, the characters, the conflict and the setting, especially the opening and final scenes, are six things you need to determine before you begin to write your story.

If you are clear on these, then, only your writing can let you down. Before I learned how to write a story, I used to be one of those people who didn’t plan my plot right up till the end before I started to write.

This meant I never knew how my story would pan out until I had reached the very last scene nor did I know how my characters would develop.

My theme was often a mystery to me. Which is why I often had to redraft my stories, many times — too many times. Sometimes having to make major changes to the story.

To forestall against this, develop the habit of working with and working through a story plan that includes the six elements of fiction. By story plan, I mean a skeletal framework on what you want to write about. A story plan is a vital step to writing a good story.

The elements of fiction (expressed as parts of the figurative story necklace)

Going back to our metaphor of the necklace, let’s appreciate the various elements of fiction better. We find the plot coursing through the whole necklace. Having the same dynamics as fluid, it moves much faster in the narrow string and much slower in the pearl.

As I’ve already said, the beads would be that part of the story where characters perform actions.  The part where your characters and their conflicts unfold, allowing you to form an opinion about them, an opinion not (explicitly) defined for you by the author’s narrative (as we see in the string), allowing you to experience or visualize a character or a setting (through sensory images). The string would be that part that takes you to a scene.

Or, you could say, the events mentioned in summary so the reader can follow the story better (e.g. the passage of time). Looking at the necklace more closely, you’ll notice a repeating pattern in the beads (there usually is, in a good necklace.) This pattern is the theme. There’s one part of the string I still haven’t talked about. The clip.

So, what element of fiction do you think the clip of the necklace represents? Here’s a clue: it’s something that keeps the necklace firmly around your neck. It’s that thing that brings all your elements together. Can you guess? Pause from reading and take a minute to think about it.

The Clip And Its Role In Helping You Learning How To Write A Story.

Without the clip would the necklace stay around your neck? No. It would fall off. So the clip is very important. In fact, without it, there will be no point of owning a necklace; its aim is defeated as you can’t wear it.

If you just carry it in the palm of your hand, no one will see it like it ought to be seen, no one will appreciate it. So what is that which plays the role of a clip in a good story?

It is the thematic statement. The theme has two parts: a concept and a statement. The thematic concept is the design or pattern that we see in the beads while the thematic statement is the clip at the end of the necklace that allows it to be worn. The thematic concept is commonly referred to as the theme.

While there isn’t a common name for the thematic statement, to my knowledge, my guess for its more generic term would be the story goal. (The story goal is different from the character goal, please take note.)

Story goals have to do with the morals or the lessons stories try to teach. The thematic statement is the salient message/idea/point that the reader gets from the story. And what determines this is usually how the story is resolved. So you will not be entirely wrong if you called the clip the resolution.

Decide On What The Point Of Your Story Will Be.

When a story lacks a thematic statement then it is  not a good story because it is all plot and no purpose, a collection of different events (different actions described within a setting) that have nothing binding them together, nothing to make you appreciate why the writer took the trouble to tell them. Many readers consider these type of stories a waste of time.

 What Makes A Good Story?

Most times, as writers, we focus on the art of writing, neglecting the art of storytelling or story-crafting. A lot of us are good writers, but some of us have trouble telling a good story.

When your writing is up to par, and you’re still having trouble getting your stories accepted for publication, it’s time for you to master the art of storytelling.

Storytelling is what takes your writing from raw sentences to real entertainment. It is like the glaze on a ceramic sculpture that makes it look finished.

If writing is artistic expression, storytelling is artistic direction. The two are like hand and glove. And like hand and glove, they can be separated.

Storytelling: How Story Writing Works.

Begin by asking yourself what the story you want to write is about. Can you say it in one sentence (called an elevator pitch, a premise, or a logline)?

Whenever you’re trying to figure out what a story is really about, look for the internal conflict. When you ask people what a story is about, most make the mistake of telling you the plot of the story.

Well, it’s not the plot. It’s the theme. And it ought to be so because, when you consider our story necklace metaphor, you’ll see that the theme gives the necklace beautiful patterns; it adds value to it. So it’s all about the theme when trying to decide on the worth of the necklace.

If the necklace is supposed to be a thing of beauty, then, it’s all about the patterns on it. If you can summarize the story you want to write in one sentence and make it include the theme, then, that’s it. That’s what it’s about.

The Two Types Of Conflict.

In a good story, there are usually two types of conflicts: the external one and the internal one.

Why? Because a well-developed story makes us appreciate a character’s inner turmoil, his emotional/ psychological struggle, and in the end, it says something about life. Stories with internal conflicts are deep. When you think of a good story to write, remember that conflicts are important.

They paint pictures about the human condition, the human struggle, the human mind, the human character, the human virtue, the human resilience, and more.  Ultimately, their resolution by characters who show humanities (even if they are aliens) gives your story its meaning, gives it an underlying message, a lesson that can be framed into one sentence called the thematic statement.

The Six Elements of Fiction.

• Plot
• Theme
• Setting
• Character
• Conflict
• Style

Things like, Point of View and Voice, Tone and many others fall under Style.

The plot

The plot is what happens in your story. It usually revolves around an external conflict.

For example, a man takes the bus home from work after his car breaks down.

The external conflict is all that stands in the way of his trying to get home. The need to get home is the character’s goal. It’s a combination of his car breaking down and all the setbacks he encounters on his way home.

The Theme And It Helps You Create A Stronger Story.

The theme is what your sub-story (your deeper, underlying story) is about. And it revolves around your internal conflict.

A man refuses to let his wife give him a ride back home when his car breaks down.

Why does he refuse his wife’s favour?

Because he’s still mad at her for cheating on him with the school coach, his best friend. They’ve already resolved this matter, but he still wants to give her a hard time over it.

So the internal conflict is the emotions he’s still dealing with surrounding his wife’s unfaithfulness, now that he has knowledge of it.

The theme here is infidelity, or dealing with unfaithfulness, the unfaithfulness of a spouse.

Let’s say our story opens with our protagonist trying to start his car. He gets a call from his wife. He tells her he’s having car trouble and turns down her offer to pick him up.

The rest of the scenes in the story detail the things the man sees on his bus trip, and the discomfort and culture shock he has as a result (he has never taken the bus in his life).

While all this is going on, his thoughts flashback to how he learned of his wife’s affair (exposition) and we understand better the phone conversation he had with her in the beginning, why she said something about him wanting to still punish her.

Our example is taken from a short story called The Bus by Brock Clarke. Most of the scenes take place in the bus so it seems the story is about a bus trip, but it’s not.

The internal conflict hints at what the story is really about.

The story is not about a dreadful bus ride. The bus ride is what happens in the story. That is the plot. The story is about a man trying to punish his wife for an affair she had with his best friend by turning down her offer of a ride home from work.

 I know this from the internal conflict. The theme will tell you what the story is about and it usually revolves around an internal conflict.

The Role Of Conflict, Plot, and Theme When Figuring Out How To Write A Story.

You can see that the conflict (both external and internal) is a distinct element of fiction, distinguishable from the plot and the theme. Plot and Theme usually revolve around conflicts. Plot is what happens in a bid to resolve some external conflict. Theme is the idea and the message that the internal conflict brings to our attention.

Do you now see why you should decide what your conflicts will be before you start to type your story? It helps you decide on what will happen in your story and what your story will be about, helps you decide on the plot and the theme.

What happens when a story has more than one external conflict?

Sometimes a story may have several external conflicts and several internal conflicts. But it should have one major internal conflict. If you have two or more internal conflicts, you could end up telling two or more stories instead of one.

That’s not a crime per se, but it is a little too much, from an aesthetic point of view, if you ask me. From an artistic perspective, I don’t advise this. Better for you to break up your story into several chapters and have one theme for each chapter. Or if you’re writing a TV series, have one theme for each episode.

Since the point of a story revolves around an internal conflict, having two internal conflicts would cause some confusion.

(Note that one internal conflict can lead to several external conflicts and not the other way around, not normally. You don’t want your readers to grapple with too many life lessons in one chapter or episode because it would water down or dilute the impact of your piece.)

From our story, our male protagonist could get off the bus and be chased by muggers. This would result in a new external conflict, one that takes place outside the bus: he now wants to escape muggers (the first was getting through an unbearable bus ride home), but it’s still one plot: a man’s effort to get back home after his car broke down (now having two parts: the bus trip and the chase).

When a story has several themes

A story can have several themes. A theme is an idea that the story revolves around. And it is usually rooted in an internal conflict. Several ideas could revolve around one internal conflict. A story can have several themes but it should make a statement about just one (the central theme). From our example, one idea could be unfaithfulness or infidelity. Another could be, resentfulness.

The theme: concept and statement

Earlier, I said the theme is both the idea (concept) and the message (statement) your story carries. If you have an internal conflict, you already have an idea for the theme. What remains now is what statement you make about it. Your theme is not complete unless your story says something about it. And you make it say what you want by how you end your story.

Oh

Determine The Thematic Concept Of The Story.

So, what do you think is the thematic concept of our story example?

How about, ‘Resentfulness vs. truly forgiving’? Begrudging vs. Letting go. What about, ‘the things we put ourselves through to make a point’?

Our ending determines what our thematic statement says.

If the bus trip turns out to be an experience our protagonist wishes he had not undergone, then, the thematic statement would be,

‘Resentfulness after reconciliation leads to regret’?

Or, ‘It doesn’t pay to still begrudge those who have told us they are sorry’.

Or, ‘Refusing to let old wounds heal begets new pains’.

Character and Setting Plays A Good Role In Story Writing.

The other elements of fiction, Character and Setting, are self-explanatory. I won’t go into them. I’ll just say, depending on the length of your story, you ought to devote a certain amount of words to character development and setting. In flash fiction, character development is either omitted completely or done in very few words.

Style

The last is Style, also called ‘writing style‘ or ‘narrative style’. It’s all about the technique you deploy in your narration. You should decide on what style to use after crafting your story, before you sit down to write it. And so it should also be one of your pre-considerations. Style is your art of writing, or your literary expression. It includes things like POV choice, Voice, Tone, Diction and more. It’s very broad.

How To Write a Story Using Diegesis and Mimesis

From our metaphor of a story, some could argue that the string tells more than it shows, and the pearl, a metaphor for a scene (and since scenes are heavy on description), shows more than it tells.

Showing and telling, telling and showing. Aren’t we, as writers, all too familiar with the terms?

The more technical terms would be Diegesis (telling) and Mimesis (showing). They are both style choices.

Diegesis

In diegesis, the narrator tells the story. The narrator presents the actions (and sometimes thoughts) of the characters to the readers or audience. Diegetic elements are part of the fictional world (“part of the story”), as opposed to non-diegetic elements which are stylistic elements of how the narrator tells the story (“part of the storytelling”).

In Diegesis, there is a filter to the action, a narrative filter that gives us a sense of an authorial presence.

We are made even more aware of this presence by the writer’s voice, especially if he or she speaks in a non-standard dialect. Remember the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett? There are many more examples.

Mimesis

Mimesis is imitative representation of the real world in art and literature. It’s understood as a form of realism in literature.

Dissect The Diegesis vs. Mimesis

Mimesis shows rather than tells, by means of action that is enacted. Diegesis is the telling of a story by a narrator. The narrator may speak as a particular character, or may be the invisible narrator, or even the all-knowing narrator who speaks from “outside” in the form of commenting on the action or the characters. In Diegesis, there’s a filter to the action. In Mimesis, there’s none.

I’m sure you’ll agree that the decision to write with or without a filter is a style choice. So you see, it’s not accurate to say that showing occurs in the beads and telling occurs in the string because it’s a style choice.

A story can be diegetically told, with no aspect of Mimesis. Your writing style pervades all aspects of your story and can be seen in every part of the necklace, both string and bead. The only thing we can be certain of is that the plot moves at a faster pace in the string than in the bead.

Writing is art expression; storytelling is art direction

A good writer is not necessarily a good storyteller and vice versa. Writing is a literary expression; storytelling is literary direction. Some writers do one better than the other.

Think of the other five elements (outside style) as all the things that will make you a good storyteller, a good story crafter while style is everything you need to apply to your writing that will make you a good writer.

To learn how to write a story, learn to create a story plan.

If I’m asked what makes a good story, I would tell them it’s a story that deploys the six elements of fiction (plot, theme, conflict, setting, character and style).

If you want to write better stories, create a story plan that looks something like this:

• Plot Summary (in one or two sentences)
• Theme (in one word)
• Concept of theme (in more than one word)
• Statement of theme (in one sentence)
• Setting (place and time period e.g. present-day, 1994, medieval times.)
• Characters (List all your characters with their relationship to the protagonist or their relevance to the story in brackets.)
• Conflict
• External
• Internal
• Style
• POV
• Voice
• Tone

(You can add other aspects of style not on this list). You can create a story plan before you start writing your story, or after the story has been written. The story plan is supposed to help you figure out ways to plu plot holes and to develop your characters.

Conclusion On How To Write A Story Like A Literary Great.

Good story writing is not as easy as accomplished writers make it seem. But you can write good stories if you choose your scenes, characters and themes wisely. And pay attention to the narrative techniques in your story.

Have you learned the ins and outs of writing a story? Please share your tips with us in the comments section. We want to learn more on how to write a story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles Opara is a Nigerian-born author who writes suspense, speculative fiction, and short stories, who is about to publish a collection of short stories. He is a programmer with a passion for groundbreaking technologies. His creative mind enjoys the logic involved in writing stories and programs. In 2015, his horror short “It Happened” was shortlisted for the Awele Creative Trust Prize and in 2017, another story ‘Baby-girl’ was long-listed for the Quramo National Prize in his country. His stories have appeared in Ambit, Flash Fiction Press, and Zoetic Press.

twitter handle: Charles Opara@OparaCc

The post How To Write A Story Like A Literary Great (Story Writing Tips + Examples) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Most job applicants struggle to tailor their resume to the job description. This failure to creatively write a resume to align with the jobs they are applying for can considerably lower their chances of securing an interview.

In the competitive world of job hunting, your resume serves as your first impression on potential employers. When you write a resume, it is like getting a ticket to an interview and, ultimately, your dream job. 

According to recent statistics, over 80 percent of resumes don’t move past the first screening, and only 1 in 10 get to a hiring manager.

Below are some ways to creatively write a resume for your dream job.

Use Resume Writing Tools

Many job seekers are now using resume writing tools, like LinkedIn Profile Writing Services, to organize their resumes.

Resume-generating tools can organize your resume to increase its chances of appearing in recruiters’ searches around the world.

The other advantages of resume-generating tools include:

• Professional Formatting – Resume writing tools have many pre-designed professional resume templates that can resonate with potential employers.
• Identify Errors – A resume riddled with errors has little chance of progressing to the next level. Resume writing tools have grammar and spell checkers that can easily spot the errors and typos that skip your eyes.
• Keyword optimization – With resume writing tools, you can access relevant keywords for the job position you are applying for.

Remember that resume writing tools can only help you organize what you feed into them. Always review the information you insert into resume writing tools to ensure accuracy.

Understand the Job

Before you write a resume, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of what the job entails. And thereafter, ask yourself if you have the skills, qualifications, and attributes the job requires. 

Your answers to these questions will help you determine whether the job you want to apply for aligns with your career goals.

If you do not have the requisite skills for the advertised position, you can prepare and obtain the required certifications which you can include in your resume.

you can direct your energy and effort to another job posting.

On the other hand, if you feel you have what the job requires, you can tailor your resume to highlight the skills most relevant for that position.

Do not write a resume until you have researched the employer’s company. Often, job postings have information you can leverage. If not, do your research about the values, culture, and mission of the hiring company.

Choose the Right Resume Format

One of the first things recruiters notice in your resume is the format. A poor resume format can mean the end of the road for you in the hiring process. 

An excellent resume format, on the other hand, can make a good first impression and increase your chances of landing a job interview. Below are some attributes of an excellent resume format:

• Clear and easy to read – Recruiters love resumes that are easy to read and understand at a glance. A good resume should also be visually appealing to the reader. To achieve a visually appealing resume, use clear fonts and adequate white spaces in your resume.
• A Brief Summary – Crafting a summary of your qualifications and career can give recruiters a quick overview of your candidacy.
• Make it Relevant – Customize your resume for each job application to highlight your most relevant qualifications for that position.
• Length – Experts advise your resume should be one to two pages. Recruiters have little time to read all the resumes they receive, so staying within one or two pages is ideal.
• A well-formatted resume is vital because it helps you make a good impression and increases your chances of securing an interview with 

Craft a Unique Visual Design

A resume with a unique visual design has a better chance of standing out and progressing in the recruitment process than resumes with poor visual designs. You can create a resume with a unique visual design by doing the following:

• Use Visual Hierarchy – Because recruiters have little time to examine resumes, they make decisions quickly. Arranging your resume in the order of importance means your best qualifications and skills come before other information.
• Use Visual Elements – Although some experts warn against overusing icons and graphical elements in your resume, they can help you create a unique visual design by highlighting your most important skills and qualifications.
• Use Professional Colors – While it is advisable to avoid using distracting colors in your resume, professional colors like black, gray, and navy can make your resume stand out.

When creating a resume with a unique visual design, avoid making it overly flashy. Be moderate and focus on making it easier for recruiters to see your skills and experiences.

Tell a Compelling Story

Storytelling has evolved from simple cave drawings to oral traditions, theater, films, social media, and so on.

Some of the main reasons for storytelling are to educate, advocate, and communicate values and ideas. In the same way, your resume is an opportunity to tell your potential employer the story of your professional journey and experience.

Resumes with a storytelling format are engaging and can capture the attention of recruiters, who may want to know more about you by inviting you to an interview. So learning the art of storytelling can help you create the perfect resume.

Instead of just doing what everyone does by listing your skills and past work experiences, use your resume to weave a beautiful narrative of your career aspirations.

Incorporate Keywords

Every industry has keywords commonly used by its professionals. Using industry-specific keywords in your resume is a quick way to show your familiarity with the position you are applying for.

Recruiters always search for resumes with relevant keywords to sift the grains from the chaff.

Because of the sheer volume of people applying for jobs, recruiters use the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to search for relevant resumes. According to some experts, recruiters only see a fraction of submitted resumes as ATS software rejects about 75 percent. Resumes without industry-relevant keywords have little chance of going past the initial stage.

You have a duty to carefully review any job posting to identify the relevant industry keywords when enumerating your qualifications, skills, and experience.

Fortunately, most job postings have some of these relevant keywords for those positions. All you have to do is carefully identify the keywords and incorporate them into your resume.

Finally, on How to Creatively Write a Resume for Your Dream Job

A creatively crafted resume can make you stand out from the crowd. This article will explore the art of creatively writing a resume that showcases your qualifications and reflects your unique personality and skills.

By understanding the expectations of your desired position, choosing the correct format, crafting a unique visual design, telling a compelling story, incorporating relevant keywords, and using resume writing tools, you can create a document that impresses employers and reflects your individuality and potential. 

The post How to Creatively Write a Resume That’ll Land You Your Dream Job. appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Applying for writing contests or competitions is a great way to put yourself and your literary work on the map.

Writing contests offers a space for you to showcase your works, as well as explore your strengths and weaknesses. It is also an opportunity for you as a writer to be recognized in the literary world.

However, writing competitions involve more than just sending in your writing and waiting for an approval. There are procedures and precautions that you must take to ensure you’ve done the right things that can guarantee a possible success. This article guides you through that process.

Look for Writing Competitions

There is no preparation without a writing contest. The first thing you should do is position yourself to have access to a range of writing competitions. There are several websites – which you can subscribe to in order to get information on writing competitions. These include: creative writing news, Brittle paper, Inkitt, Reedsy and More!

Carefully go through each writing contests’ requirement

Each writing competition has unique requirements according to their vision, mission and core values. As such it is important for you as an entrant to read these requirements before you apply. Read through the eligibility, know if you are eligible by age, location, nationality, also, know whether or not entry is free or paid.

Carry out research on the Judges of the Writing Competition

Writing perception is unique to people, therefore it is advisable to be familiar with the judges of the contest – visit their workshops if they have any, just to understand what makes them experienced enough to judge and see if you can learn a thing or two from them, so as to help you write a contest worthy story for submission.

Brainstorm and Have a Deep Understanding of the Theme

Before diving into writing for the competition, you should think carefully about the ideas , themes, and concepts for your story of entry. Outline what you want to write, know if it aligns with the theme of the competition and if it expresses it well enough.

If the theme of a contest is Freedom, do this

• You question what freedom means
• Know how the organizers of the contest want you to translate freedom
• How you want to translate freedom
• What does the story you want to write mean? Consider these before you dive into writing.

Write Exceedingly Well

The opening of your entry is a window to the rest of your work. Create a compelling hook, whether it’s a strange question, an intriguing statement, an action scene or a vivid description that draws readers in from the beginning. Hook readers at first read.

Develop Strong Characters and Plot

If your competition piece is a narrative, focus on creating well-rounded characters and a great plot to support characterization. Engage your readers with relatable characters and a storyline that keeps them invested from beginning to end.

Stay True to Your Voice

While it is essential to adapt to the competition’s requirements, do not lose your unique voice and style. Your voice can announce you. It can even set you apart from other entrants. So write that story your heart yearns for.

Edit and Revise

Never submit a first draft. Learn how to do a self-edit for writing competitions , or give it out to beta readers to help you. This can help you check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. More so, ensure your writing is clear and understandable. Do not be ambiguous. Make sure to do this before sending it in.

Proofread

After editing, proofread. Even the smallest typos can affect the quality of your work and can make it one less problem from a bunch of other entries. Proofread your work multiple times to remove errors, or, use editing applications to make sure you are in the clear.

Take Note of Word Limits

Most writing competitions have word limits. Some require just 2,500 words and nothing more, while some require nothing less than 1000 words.

Adhere to this rule while writing, make sure your work does not exceed the required word count because this can lead to your work being disqualified! Do not gamble your chances.

Meet Up with the given Deadline of the Writing Contest

If the deadline says 1st of May, make sure you submit BEFORE then. It is the safest way to keep your chances. Submissions after deadline are often rejected or the portals might have been shut down.

I hope these tips can help you successfully apply for a writing competition and write for one. Following this guide does not guarantee your position in the contest, but it gives you an edge. So cease the day, go ahead and apply for that writing contest. Do it for you!

The post A Writer’s Guide on Successfully Applying for Legit Writing Contests (Tips + Tricks + More) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Facebook remains a formidable platform for writers, businesses, influencers, and individuals to connect with their audience. With about 3 billion monthly active users, an engaging social media content can expose your brand to a wide audience. However, standing out in the crowded digital space can be a daunting task. 

To capture the attention and engage your target audience effectively, you must craft stunning Facebook posts and engaging social media content that resonates with your followers. 

Know Your Audience

The foundation of a successful Facebook post begins with a deep understanding of your target audience. Before you start crafting content, take the time to research and analyze your audience’s preferences, interests, demographics, and pain points. Consider creating audience personas to gain a clearer picture of who you’re trying to reach. Tailoring your content to their needs and interests is key to engagement.

Craft Eye-Catching Visuals

Visual content reigns supreme on Facebook. To create a stunning Facebook post, invest in high-quality visuals. One way to do it is to use a Facebook post maker on https://create.vista.com/create/facebook-post/ that allows you to use striking images, graphics, and videos that are relevant to your content. 

Ensure that your visuals are clear, well-composed, and resonate with your brand identity. The first impression matters, and compelling visuals can stop users in their scrolling tracks.

Craft a Compelling Headline

Your headline is the first thing users see, so make it count. Create a concise, attention-grabbing headline that piques curiosity and encourages users to read further. Use action words, ask questions, or provide a solution to a problem to make your headline irresistible.

Tell a Story

Human beings are natural storytellers and story consumers. Use this to your advantage by incorporating storytelling elements into your Facebook posts. Share personal anecdotes, success stories, or customer testimonials that resonate with your audience’s emotions. Well-crafted narratives have the power to connect on a deeper level and drive engagement.

Keep it Concise

While storytelling is essential, it’s equally important to keep your Facebook posts concise. Aim for brevity and clarity to ensure your message is easily digestible. Long-winded posts risk losing your audience’s interest. If necessary, use line breaks, bullet points, or emojis to break up the text and make it more scannable.

Use Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags are powerful tools for increasing the discoverability of your Facebook posts. Explore hashtags that are pertinent and currently popular in your niche, and integrate them into your content. Yet, be cautious not to inundate your posts with hashtags, as this can give the impression of spam. Aim for a balance between visibility and readability.

Spark Conversations

One of the primary goals of social media is to foster interaction. Encourage discussions and engagement by asking questions or seeking opinions from your audience. Create posts that invite users to share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to comments to keep the conversation flowing.

Offer Value

Always aim to provide value to your audience through your Facebook posts. Whether it’s sharing informative articles, how-to guides, or exclusive discounts, your content should enhance the lives or experiences of your followers. When your audience perceives your posts as valuable, they’re more likely to engage and share them.

Experiment with Posting Times

Timing can significantly impact the visibility and engagement of your Facebook posts. Try out various posting schedules to ascertain the times when your audience is most engaged. 

Facebook Insights can provide valuable data on the best times to reach your followers. Consistency in posting schedules can also help train your audience to expect content from you at specific times.

A/B Testing

The path to creating stunning Facebook posts is paved with experimentation. Conduct A/B tests by creating multiple versions of your posts with slight variations in content, visuals, or headlines. Analyze the performance of each post to identify what resonates best with your audience. Use the insights gained to refine your future content strategy.

Utilize Facebook Live

Live streaming is a powerful tool for real-time engagement. Consider hosting Facebook Live sessions to interact with your audience directly. Whether it’s a Q&A session, behind-the-scenes look, or product demonstration, live videos can foster a sense of immediacy and authenticity that traditional posts may lack.

Maintain Brand Consistency

Your Facebook posts should align with your brand’s identity and values. Maintain consistency in tone, style, and messaging across all your posts. This helps build brand recognition and trust among your audience. Use brand colors, fonts, and visual elements consistently to reinforce your brand’s presence.

Stay Updated with Trends

The social media landscape is ever-evolving. Stay updated with current trends and changes in Facebook’s algorithms. Adapt your content strategy accordingly to remain relevant and maximize your reach. Trends come and go, so it’s essential to strike a balance between following trends and staying true to your brand’s identity.

Finally, on Creating Engaging Social Media Content

Facebook and other social media channels have become an integral part of our daily individual lives, businesses, and organizations. There are many benefits from crafting engaging content that captivates and connects with our audience.

By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create engaging social media content that drives traffic to your site, fosters brand loyalty and increases sales. 

The post Creating a Stunning Facebook Post: Tips for Engaging Social Media Content appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Are you a new freelance writer looking to improve your skills? Do you want to know the secrets to becoming a successful writer? Do you want to learn some vital tips for new freelance writers? Want to know the way to connect with your readers? 

Have you nodded to any of these questions? If yes, then the tips for new freelance writers in this article are for you.

This article will discuss five tips to improve writing skills. These tips for new freelance writers can help you take your writing skills to the next level. 

You can reach your full potential as a freelance writer.

Are you ready to know what those tips are? Let’s get started!

Develop Good Reading Habits

Stephen King says, “if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time- or the tools- to write. Simple as that.”

The Nobel Prize laureate William Faulkner also emphasizes reading. He suggests writers read everything, whether it is trash, classic, good, or bad. 

Developing a reading habit can significantly impact your writing skills. Reading and writing are closely related to each other. Both reading and writing rely on the same cognitive processes. When you read, you automatically learn to write.

Reading exposes you to various writing styles, vocabulary, and sentence structures. All these things can help you become the writer you want.

The words, terminologies, phrases, and idioms you learn while reading improves your writing skills. It helps you know how to convey your message perfectly. 

Learning from reading can help when you struggle to find the right words to describe anything. It can also assist you in avoiding the repetition of words. It can also bring diversity to your content.

The writing styles you learn while reading make you a complete writer. When you know different styles, you can write every type of content. For example, you can write marketing copy, blogs, fiction, scripts, etc.

Sentence structures you learn while reading assist you in organizing your text. It can help you avoid mistakes most freelancers make while writing. 

If you don’t have the habit of reading. Here are some tips for new freelance writers to develop a good reading habit:

•  Set a Schedule for Reading

To make it a habit, create a flexible schedule. Start by setting aside a specific time each day to read. Make it a non-avoidable part of your routine. Make it as important as the other essential tasks.

Choose the time for reading when you are mentally and physically relaxed. It can help you enjoy reading and start loving this new hobby. 

Once you create a reading schedule, stick to it. In case you miss a day, don’t get demotivated. Start it again the next day. Remember that developing the habit may take some time. So, be patient and enjoy reading.

• Choose the Right Books/Journals

Image source: https://unsplash.com/

To develop a reading habit, start with your favorite books. If you don’t have any favorite books, pick an author. While choosing an author or book, consider your interests.

However, you should also consider the writing style of the authors. Not every author has a great writing style. Some use language and style that isn’t easy to read.

Remember to get recommendations and read reviews before choosing books. 

You can also ask your teachers, friends, and librarians for book recommendations. They can suggest books you may love to read.

•  Make Reading a Social Activity

To enjoy reading, join different book clubs. You can share your book-reading experiences with them. They can also suggest reading materials you may like.

Besides, frequently visit literary festivals and reading events. 

Moreover, make a habit of swapping books with your friends. This practice can help you enjoy the overall reading process.

Write Every Day

Writing is like other skills like playing sports, cooking, driving, etc. Practicing it regularly can help writers improve their skill set. The more you will write, the better it is for you.

Regular writing allows you to experience different styles. Moreover, you can practice the things you learned during reading. It can also help you develop your style and voice.

Daily writing can also help you organize your thoughts. Plus, you can also learn to stay focused and disciplined.

Write every day, no matter how many words you write. No matter how busy you are. Regardless of whether you have your writing equipment.

Gradually, you will start observing a lot of improvement in your skills. The practice can transform you from an ordinary writer to a wordsmith. 

Here are some tips for new freelance writers on the benefits of writing every day:

• Brings Consistency to Writing

Are you facing consistency issues? Practice is the only way out. It can help you know how to be consistent in everything.

The practice doesn’t let you get frustrated with writing. When you are not frustrated, you write with an open mind. That openness enables you to become more consistent and efficient. 

Besides, it is the best for combating writer’s block. Most writers face this issue as it’s a part of writing. However, writing every day can reduce its effects.

When you write every day, it becomes a habit. Moreover, you also enjoy the overall writing process. That habit and enjoyment make writer’s block less effective.

• Develop a Writing Style

Writing every day helps in developing an exclusive writing style. Usually, readers love to read writers with a distinctive style. Writers with unique styles can quickly make a great name.

The writing style also allows readers to become familiar with writers. It makes a stronger connection between writers and readers. So, work on developing your style.

With practice, you not only develop that style but also improve it.

• Help in Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the biggest issue for new freelance writers. It occurs when freelancers don’t practice writing. So they need more confidence in their skill set. Therefore, they copy others.

However, when you write more regularly, you learn to write unique content and avoid plagiarism. As a new freelance writer, you always need to ensure the uniqueness of your written content using a plagiarism checker. It can protect your reputation.

Using a plagiarism detector like https://plagiarismdetector.net/ can help you check plagiarism in content. The plagiarism check tools are designed to detect plagiarism in written content. They can detect and highlight if your work is plagiarized. And so you can avoid negative feedback from clients.

Once plagiarism is detected, you can remove or modify plagiarized parts. However, once published, you can’t do anything. So, must ensure uniqueness before submitting your work to the client.

Coming back to the topic. Writing practice helps freelancers know how to avoid plagiarism and bring uniqueness.

With practice, they learn to state facts in different ways and help them avoid both intentional and accidental plagiarism.

• Expand Vocabulary and Grammar Knowledge

Image source: https://unsplash.com/

Daily writing practice is also crucial for vocabulary and grammar. When you write daily, you can use the words you learned recently. In addition, it can give you more confidence in your writing skills.

Apart from vocabulary, it also helps in improving grammar knowledge. You learn different grammar rules when you frequently write and review your content. That’s how you can get rid of grammar mistakes you make often.

Consequently, vocabulary and grammar knowledge polishes your writing skills. Additionally, it brings more professionalism and maturity to your writing.

• Enhance Creativity and Imagination

Creativity is a must for every writer. It doesn’t matter what type of content you write. Whether you write blogs, fiction, scripts, or copy, you need creative skills.

With creativity, you may excel in the writing world. Creativity helps writers come up with unique and exciting ideas and perspectives. It eventually brings freshness to the content.

Always Proofread Your Work

Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing content. Proofreading aims to find inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and errors in the text. Although proofreading is a reading skill, it is essential for writing.

Proofreading is an integral part of the writing process. It makes sure that the final product is error-free and unique. During the proofreading process, writers eliminate all the issues in the content.

It enlightens writers about their writing habits. And also tell them about the areas of improvement. Consequently, it improves the overall quality of the text.

In short, proofreading is a valuable tool for every writer. With it, it is possible to improve writing skills.

Pro_Tip: If you want to learn vocabulary and synonyms, active voice, and passive voice, you can use an online grammar checker. That tool will analyze your content. And proofread it. If finds mistakes, it will give you suggestions to improve your content. It will also give suggestions to improve the sentence structure of the content and the right use of words. 

Let’s briefly analyze some tips for new freelance writers on how proofreading improves writing skills.

• Learn from Mistakes

Proofreading helps writers identify their mistakes. The identification or realization is the first step to overcoming them. That’s why great writers always emphasize proofreading.

When you know about your mistakes, you can learn from them. Moreover, it can help you gradually avoid your habitual mistakes.

• Refine Ideas

Sometimes when we write, we believe everything is perfect. However, when we proofread it, we locate many things that need to be corrected. Proofreading helps to identify and avoid them.

It also refines ideas and perspectives. That can make content much better than ever. When you have tons of ideas, you can utilize them. And sharpen your communication skills.

• Develop a Better Sentence Structure

Most people believe that proofreading only improves the grammatical structure of content. This is just a misconception. It has more comprehensive benefits than you may think.

Apart from grammar, it also improves sentence structure. As a result, writers can improve and learn to improve the overall quality of their sentences. Furthermore, it helps to make content more consistent.

Learn Writing for Readers

To become a better freelance writer, you need to understand your audience. It is essential to read the audience’s needs in the writing world. Moreover, it is also crucial to know their intellectual level.

Knowing all these things can help writers create tailored content. It is also necessary for effective communication. When you don’t know the audience, you may not create engaging content for them. So, to learn to write for readers, first, you need to know them.

After knowing the audience, the next step is to learn to write content for them.

Your content must fulfill readers’ needs regarding content. Otherwise, your clients will only get satisfied with your work. And they won’t hire you again for any job.

Below are a few tips for new freelance writers on writing for readers:

• Understand the Audience

Understanding readers should always be the first step in learning to write for readers. It includes knowing their demographics, needs, preferences, and interests. For example, if you are writing a blog post. You must know the age, gender, and location of your readers.

This information helps you write in the language and style they prefer. That’s how you can write the content they may appreciate. 

Understanding the audience can help you create a reader’s persona. It can help you know how you can create content that readers may appreciate.

Following the tips, you can easily make money as a beginner freelance writer. 

• Use a Simple Language

The language you use is the most crucial thing in writing. Some new writers believe writing in a jargon language is always great. They misunderstand the concept of writing.

When writing for the general public, it is essential to keep everything simple. By using simple language, you avoid confusing your readers. And make your work more accessible and understandable for everyone.

Simplicity also conveys the message in a better way. Additionally, it also builds trust and authenticity.

• Remember the Purpose of Writing

Always know why you are writing. When you have a clear intention and purpose for writing, you can write better. In addition, the purpose can help you stay focused and effective.

When you have a purpose for writing, you will put more effort. That effort can ultimately reap some fruits. It will help you write quality content and polish your writing skills.

Plan Before Writing

Some new freelancers believe effective writing is all about writing words on pages. However, this isn’t true at all. Effective writing is a complete process. That process involves planning, researching, writing, and proofreading.

Here we will talk about planning. J. K. Rowling says that planning is essential for writing. The better you plan your content, the good its execution will be.

Planning can help you learn how to write compelling content. Moreover, it can assist you in improving your content structure.

Here are some tips for planning before writing to polish your writing skills:

• Outline Ideas

First of all, you should outline your ideas. When you outline them in a logical order, you do yourself a favor. Once the outline is completed, half of the work is done.

While outlining ideas, you should be clear about everything. For instance, you should know what benefits you want to achieve. 

• Thoroughly Research Your Topic

Research is always essential for writing. So research your topic, whether or not it is new to you. 

Research can build a deeper understanding of the subject. Moreover, it also helps you make your points.

When researching the topic, you simultaneously improve your knowledge and writing skills. It assists you in learning different perspectives and writing styles.

Finally, on How New Freelance Writers can Improve Their Writing Skills

As a new freelancer, you should always focus on learning. That learning will help you improve your writing skills.

This article has provided the best tips for improving writing skills. All these tips can help freelancers become better writers. And by following the tips, you can easily apply for a remote writing job.

For example, reading can enhance your knowledge about everything. Writing habits improve language skills. Proofreading helps create error-free content. Planning streamlines the writing process. Focusing on the audience enhances engagement.

Author Bio: 

Sofia Mia is an Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the online marketing industry.
Email id: Sofiamia2525@gmail.com

The post 5 Tips for New Freelance Writers to Improve Their Writing Skills appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Figuring out how to write a grant proposal can be a real headache, for obvious reasons.

Grant proposals are the project’s defined deliverables for the financial expenses and how these finances would source from various areas. Therefore, the grant proposal is expected to be convincing enough to guarantee the success of the project. Otherwise, the funding will not be granted. So how can you write an effective grant proposal?

To eloquently write a winning grant proposal, you must ensure that it is well managed and packed with all the necessary information to cover a project’s needs. A grant proposal should not only focus on providing the generated profit but also explain how the project would bring a positive change.

In this article, we will guide you on how to write a grant proposal that will win the hearts of investors. We will share some tips and templates for writing a grant proposal. Moreover, we present the factors that should be ignored in writing a grant proposal.

Essential Elements of a Grant Proposal

Before you write your grant proposal, make a checklist of elements that must be included. The elements discussed below are essential tips for successfully writing a grant proposal to win an investment opportunity.

• Confident Tone

A grant proposal should show that you are confident in presenting your idea. You should use the terms like ‘might’ or ‘perhaps’ as it gives an impression that you’re not sure about what you’re trying to propose. Keep a confident tone supported with facts so the investor becomes obliged to respond to you.

• Goals and Objectives

To ask for the grant, you may have to present the goals and objectives you will achieve with that financial aid. Present the complete blueprint for what you will achieve and how long it will take to achieve these goals.

• Budget

The budget element in the grant proposal is not only based on a single figure. But you have to present the summary of the complete calculation, stating how you will spend the financial aid. It is important to mention all the expenses and cash flows to present a pre-decided budget. Do leave variation for unprecedented expenses.

• Conversational

Keeping a conversational writing style in a grant proposal doesn’t mean that you should start using slang language. You still have to keep it formal yet friendly. Grant proposal speaks for you, so be a conversation maker that compels the investor in your project.

• Avoid Fluff and Duplication

The readability and quality can win the hearts of investors. Ensure you are not repeating the same terms excessively, as it may affect readability.

Moreover, you must ensure that the content of your discussion in the grant proposal is unique, like a cover letter, problem statement, etc. Therefore, it’s vital to check plagiarism of your proposal before submitting its final version to the investors.

Steps to Write a Winning Grant Proposal

Now that we have learned about the crucial elements of grant proposal writing, let’s talk about how you can progress to writing a grant proposal following a step-by-step approach to keep things in order.

• Write an Effective Cover Letter

The cover letter is the first impression from your side on the investors. It presents you with the perfect opportunity to get the investor’s attention. Unlike the rest of the grant proposal, the cover letter is less formal and tends to hit the readers directly.

The purpose of writing effective content is to compel the reader to read the proposal. The investors may have received hundreds of proposals, and they may not spend hours reading one. The cover letter of your grant proposal should state how your reason stands out from the others.

Make Sure to:

• Keep it concise and to the point as much as you can.
• Mention the primary information like how much grant you need and what for.
• Avoid redundancy to keep the letter straightforward and readable.
• Make your goals and achievements relevant to state how they would have influence.

Example:

Palm Scholars High School is pleased to present this proposal to you for review. We look forward to partnering with you to provide a reading intervention program for students with learning disabilities called Reading for Success! Palm Scholars High School has more than 50 at-risk students whose academic achievement is more than two years behind their current grade level.

The purpose of the “Reading for Success” program! This program is designed to help all students with learning disabilities learn to read at grade level and improve their reading speed, comprehension, and attention.

Last year we hosted a Learn to Succeed! With a small group of students with poor reading skills, most of them improved their reading skills significantly, gaining a grade or two in reading. Read on for success! The program provides students with a supportive learning system and training for classroom teachers and learning professionals.

• Present an Executive Summary

The executive summary is the next important element that leaves the first impression on your investors. Every winning proposal needs to be started with an executive summary that states all the contents of your grant proposal.

A proposal summary gives you a brief overview of the entire grant proposal, which elaborates on what you will discuss. The executive summary should introduce your business, marketing segment, proposals, and project goals. It should present specific details to get the investors to understand your grant proposal’s point.

Make Sure to:

• Adjust the summary to at most 2 pages to give a brief overview of your proposal.
• Ensure to include the resources by mentioning the funds you are requesting.
• Do not go too deep with the details.

Example

Palm Scholars High School in Miami, Florida is seeking grants to support learning for success! A program that helps all at-risk students improve their reading skills and read at grade level using peer-to-peer books and materials.

Our goal here is to at least double our students’ reading speed and improve their reading skills by a grade or two by the end of the year. Read on for success! This program is based on the latest research in effective reading education. $16,504 is requested for software and hardware purchases for staff training and learning spaces in the school.

• Introduce Your Organization

Once you have written the cover letter and executive, you have set the platform, to begin with, your grant proposal’s details. You can begin introducing your organization by sharing as much relevant information as possible. You can discuss the organization’s history, infrastructure, mission, and experience or present a success story.

Since the introduction is about the first impression of your organization, it is vital to share the biography of your key staff and their roles in the organization. You can also highlight your expertise to discuss how you brought the company into a successful position.

Client recommendations and feedback from customers can also be helpful in this case. Don’t forget to mention any valid certifications regarding quality. All this information is necessary to support the fact that your company has the potential to bring an idea into reality with the help of some financial support.

Make Sure to:

• Be objective but avoid exaggerating things about yourself.
• Provide a supporting backstory with facts.
• Connect the grant maker as naturally as possible with your mission.

• Present the Needs Statement

The needs statement is one of the most crucial parts of the grant proposal. It is also known as the problem statement because you’re supposed to discuss the challenges faced in a community. In the needs statement, you present how your proposed idea would help to make a difference in society. In other words, how you would be the solution to a problem.

To present the needs statement, you must perform extensive research on the problem that your organization would help resolve. You may also have to discuss how others tried to resolve the discussed problem and why they potentially failed. So, the quantitative data in the grant proposal may rely heavily on it.

Make Sure to:

• Use comparable and quantitative data by showing the results and satisfactory outcomes.
• Press the urgency to begin the project before it’s too late.
• Focus on the key problem.

Example

Palm Scholars High School has 998 students, 69 of whom have been identified as at-risk for a variety of reasons, including attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia or other economic and language-related learning disabilities. Problem. Palm Scholars High School is eligible for Title 1 funding, and research shows that these students are more likely to drop out if they don’t have the opportunity to improve their education.

• Discuss Organization Goals

The next thing to state in the grant proposal is the organizational goals. Many proposals get rejected because they fail to present the goals and objectives they expect to achieve in the project.

You can write the details about the expected outcome and how the success scale will be measured. The goals and objectives section are the key area where you can mention the changes you can bring to the environment. And most importantly, these changes should bring a positive change.

Even though the goals and objectives sound familiar, they should not be understood as the same thing. Goals can be considered broad statements, and objectives are more specific targets with expected outcomes in a given time frame. This step should not be forgotten, nor should it be mishandled in the grant proposal.

Make Sure to:

• Objectives should be mentioned as outcomes like you want to achieve them.
• Follow the SMART rule (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound).
• Relate the goals and objectives with the audience.

Example

The Palm Read to Innovate project allows at-risk students to improve their reading skills using five computers equipped with scanners and learning support software. With this innovative learning system, students have access to all learning materials, including textbooks, which provide access to the general curriculum.

Students improve their reading speed and comprehension to become more proficient in the classroom. Included in the research for success! This project is a day of training for education professionals and classroom teachers in the features and use of writing and editing software.

• State Flow of Project Strategy

Now that you have stated the goals and objectives, it’s time to elaborate on how you will achieve them. For starters, you can mention the skill sets and team that you have hired to achieve these goals. You can also discuss the additional facilities like transport and support services to make the workflow as smooth as possible.

It’s vital to mention project management methodologies with a disciplined schedule to keep a good focus on achieving the task. For further clarity, you can present examples of how your proposed methods successfully helped achieve some previous projects.

Make Sure to:

• Connect the objectives with the strategy. Your methods should be well outlined with a needs statement as well.
• Make your strategy cost-effective, so investors realize that your methods are rational.

• Evaluation Process

Evaluation is not only related to quality assurance but is mainly related to the progress tracking of your project. It includes the time frame required for evaluation and the person responsible for handling the evaluation phase of the project.

The evaluation process is another key section that has the investor’s attention. Funders are looking for this section to ensure how you will carry out the project. By analyzing the evaluation process, they can calculate if the project would be a success or not.

The evaluation process is crucial whether you’re writing a grant proposal to a government agency or a private firm. Every investor wants to know if their grant helped to make a difference or not. The evaluation process can be expensive as you must scope out all the exit and entry criteria.

Make Sure to:

• Obtain feedback from the community that’s taking part in the project.
• Perform internal evaluation with the help of your staff.
• Perform external evaluation by involving agencies that do it independently.

Example

• Mention the Financial Plan

The final section of your grant proposal should be the financial plan, where you will discuss the complete financial details of your project. In the financial plan, you have to outline the project budget to mention exactly how you will utilize the resources from the operational point of view.

In the financial plan, you’re supposed to mention the complete justification for all your project expenses. You can include a table of services to specify and clarify the services accurately.

The project budget section is the true element of your grant proposal, as here, you are supposed to mention how much investment you may need to carry out the project. Therefore, avoid overcharging or mentioning a high figure for your project.

Make Sure to:

• Mention all the details, including the travel costs, supplies, advertisement, etc.
• Double-check the figures that you have mentioned, such as zeros and decimals.
• Round of the numbers for the reader’s sake so they can quickly understand the grants required.

Example

Things to Avoid in Grant Proposal Writing

There are also some DON’Ts of grant proposal writing which are stated as follows.

• Avoid mentioning your competitors in the introduction as the investors may consider them compared with your organization.
• Do not get too direct with your investor. You can only refer directly to the proposal’s cover letter.
• Do not mistake the goals for the process. Goals are always stated as measurable outcomes.
• Do not neglect the time frame, and make sure that your evaluation strategies are periodic.
• Don’t forget to mention the indirect costs.

Conclusion

Grant proposal writing is not just about mentioning a project’s name and asking for a big sum of money from rich industrialists. You have to mention complete details to convince the investors how you will make a difference with their granted money. Every project and organization works on a set of principles that assists them in achieving the targeted goals.

This article featured the complete guideline, including the Dos and don’ts of the proposal writing. We also discussed the complete details of an easy-to-understand template that would win the hearts of investors.

Therefore, follow all the elements in proposal writing to achieve the goals with the given investment successfully. We hope this article gave you some helpful insights on writing an effective proposal.

The post How to Write a Grant Proposal That’ll Win the Hearts of Investors (Tips + Examples + Templates) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

The process of producing great writing can be long and arduous. Often the writer needs a great creative writing workshop space and a community of supportive writers.

And that’s what the organizers of the Fall 2022 Fairest Writers’ Workshop Series are providing. A Zoom writing workshop on Process. And guess what? It’s free of charge.

The organizers want the best for writers who want to learn to write more eloquently. In other words, writers who are seeking growth and development in their writing career. To make this dream attainable, the Fairest Writers’ Workshop offers the opportunity for growth in its 4-week workshop program this fall 2022.

The workshop will hold on four Wednesdays, 7 – 8 pm ET / 4 – 5 pm PT

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Fall 2022 Fairest Writers’ Workshop Series

Sept. 14 – “How to Begin”
Guest: Alexander Chee
Reading: Alexander Chee, “The Writing Life”

For writers at every stage of development, this workshop will explore what it means to begin, whether in your journey toward writing as a profession, writing in a new mode or genre, or simply how to get started when you’re feeling stuck. Workshop participants will discuss and work with Alexander Chee’s “The Writing Life,” an essay from his collection How to Write an Autobiographical Novel, and will be joined by Alex himself!

Sept. 21 – “Practice, In Writing and Life”
Guest: Porochista Khakpour
Reading: Lidia Yuknavitch, “I Will Always Inhabit the Water”

Whether Octavia Butler’s self-hypnosis, Lidia Yuknavitch’s swimming, or Haruki Murakamai’s running, this workshop will explore practices and routines that can help writers once they sit down to write in their creative corners. We’ll be discussing Lidia Yuknavitch’s amazing essay “I Will Always Inhabit the Water” and the facilitator will be joined by author, Porochista Khakpour.

Sept. 28 – “Rediscovering Your Story”
Guest: Garrard Conley
Reading: Melissa Febos, “Mind Fuck: Writing Better Sex”

For this workshop, we’ll use Melissa Febos’s essay “Mind Fuck” as a starting point for thinking about personal writing not as telling a single story but uncovering many layers of stories through continued investigation, as well as exploring how one’s perspective on events changes over time. I’ll be joined in discussion by the wonderful Garrard Conley, author of the New York Times Bestselling memoir, Boy Erased.

Oct. 5 – “Drafting, Revising, Composting”
Guest: Thomas Grattan
Reading: Anne Lamott, “Shitty First Drafts” and Natalie Goldberg, “Composting”

When is it time to keep going when a draft isn’t going well and when is it time to revise? Or when is it time to start something new? Through Anne Lamott’s “Shitty First Drafts” and Natalie Goldberg’s “Composting,” I’ll be discussing different philosophies around drafting, revision, and rewriting and will be joined by one of my favorite writers Thomas Grattan, author of The Recent East.

CLICK TO REGISTER HERE  

Good luck as you participate in these free creative writing workshops. Want to learn more about writing through creative writing workshops? Great! Here’s a detailed analysis of everything that one participant learned from the bestselling author of Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The post Fairest Creative Writer Workshop Series Fall 2022 — How To Sign Up For Free appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Figuring out what to include in your MBA personal statement can be tough. But you can write an impressive MBA essay if you read successful goal statements that have followed the correct format.

In this article, Dorian Martins guides business school applicants on:

• how to write an MBA application essay,
• what to include in an MBA Personal Statement
• and what essay format to follow.

Each point features MBA essay examples that impressed the admissions committees of various business schools. 

Ready to learn how to write an MBA personal statement?

Read on.

This resource starts with a definition of an MBA personal statement.

An MBA personal statement is the gateway to your goal. In some schools, it is referred to as a goal statement or a statement of purpose. It is a document that convinces members of an admission committee of your suitability as a candidate in a Department of Business Administration and therefore able to pursue your MBA or Related MBA dual degree.

A poorly written MBA essay will only make the ad coms reject you. The first step in writing the personal statement for business school, would be discovering what to include in the personal statement and what the professors expect your MBA essay to say.

Here’s a tip from an expert:

Without further ado, let’s dive into the nitty gritty of writing a kickass personal statement for your MBA application.

Conduct A Research On the Business School and the MBA Program 

Why this program? What motivated you to apply to this business school?

To explain why you are a good fit, you need to do a great deal of research.

Every Business School is different in one way or another. They have unique missions, values, and goals. Understanding that will help you hit the sweet spot.

You need to reason the motivation behind your application. Self-reflection is one part of it. The other one is research.

Doing research is the foundation for good writing. It is the first step to take in learning how to write an MBA personal statement.

You need to find out what these schools seek in candidates. Also, get acquainted with the goals of their programs.

Typically, students apply to 2-3 schools the least. Cover every school and program you will apply for.

When you know their goals, you can detail how you can contribute. That’s what schools want. They want to see how you fit in the picture.

Get to know more about the school culture. It would help in your MBA personal statement. Use that information to show that you belong there.

Here’s an example of what good research can do. This essay is packed with Harvard-specific information.

Source

Conducting Research

But how do you approach the research? You’re probably wondering. Listed below are some research suggestions that will help you use the right MBA essay format:

• Reach out to department heads for insights
• Check out the school’s website
• Find about events conducted by Business Schools
• Look into previous or current students’ profiles
• Get in touch with current or previous MBA students
• Learn about special opportunities that a school offers (entrepreneurship training, startup funding, great summer job options, etc.)
• Head to the school’s online communities such as forums and social media groups

It can help if you outline specifics for each program. Create bullet points that you find useful. This can be your preparation for writing.

Look at the bigger picture rather than the numbers. Remember that you don’t need to reflect every virtue they want. This is just for inspiration.

The research can help you see yourself as an asset. It can bring you closer to the school you desire. Thus, you’ll feel more confident when you start writing.

Focus on Specific Question when writing your MBA Personal Statement. 

The most beautiful MBA personal statement can be worthless if it’s not specific. The admission committee needs an answer, not an autobiography.

Make sure that you address the question at hand in your MBA application essay.  Don’t waste space and time on non-related information.

The need to present yourself in the best light can do damage. It can get you to take the wrong path.

Sample A MBA Personal Statement

This Sample MBA Personal Statement by written Sandra Onah does a good job of this.

The information on in your statement of purpose must focus on the specific question you intend to answer.Yes, it ‘s important to write about your strengths and positive experiences. But even then, your essay must be focused on the theme and question you intend to explore. If an information isn’t related to the lead question you intend to answer, skip it.

Resist the urge to ramble. You have a limited word count. Use it wisely.

Sample B MBA Personal Statement

Take a look at another MBA Essay example. The student jumps straight to the point. That’s how it should be done.

Source

Writing an MBA personal statement can seem easy at the start, but the truth is, the introduction is where you hook the readers. The point where students tend to break away is the introduction. They have the need to set the tone. However, it’s better to start strong with a suitable topic.

You don’t need an elaborate introduction. Begin with specifics right away. The less irrelevant information you include, there’ll be more room for examples.

To ensure that you aren’t beating around the bush, ask yourself this:

Is this sentence relevant?

Repeat this question for every sentence you write. If the answer is no, delete it.

Pay attention to lengthy sentences. They often consist of excess words or information. You can use a proofreading and editing tool that will point them out.

Be Yourself in your MBA Personal Statement.

Show what makes you unique. Don’t just aim to tick all the boxes.

There will be hundreds of others who will try to fit in. They’ll list everything that the school wants.

But there’s nothing special there. Nothing that will make them stand out.

Don’t write what the committee wants to hear. That is a mistake. There’s no original value in trying to mimic them.

Schools want character. They want unique personalities that can add to the diversity.

Innovators and entrepreneurs are always considered to be different. People that can be noticed in the crowd are the leaders.

Give your MBA personal statement something special by showing who you are. Don’t be scared to open up and break the mold.

Your experiences and life path can ensure originality. Put the focus on that.

No one else has had the same life as you. There lies your advantage. Think about what makes you non-traditional.

Do you want an example? This is an sample MBA personal statement from a student applying to Stanford. The story he shared is memorable and different.

Source

You can also show your vulnerabilities or express your humor. Don’t hide your humanity.

Think about how your experience ties to the MBA program. What made you go in this direction?

Show who you are and you won’t risk blending in. You don’t need to be driven by world peace. The only thing you need is to be yourself.

Write about Your Passions in your MBA Statement of Purpose.

“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.”

― Steve Jobs.

Show the business school admissions committee that you can stick it out. Tell them how passionate you are.

Passion tends to ignite us. It can light that fire within you and fill you with inspiration. Use your passion to create a compelling MBA personal statement.

People without passions are usually people without enthusiasm. No Business School wants that. They aim to shape future leaders – and future leaders need to be driven.

If you opted for an MBA program, you probably have a business goal. What do you want to accomplish?

Do you see yourself as a startup owner? Do you want to run a sustainable business? Tell the admission committee where your interests lie.

Mrs. Amaka F. Onyeabor does this very well, Not only does she show that she’s a good business leader, she uses storytelling to demonstrate her passion for her field of study.

Here’s how she made the most of this MFA Essay format:

By applying to a business school, you are pursuing your dream. Which only shows that you are a person of action. You dare to take charge of your circumstances.

Writing about what excites you will make the essay more impressionable. Passion can give your MBA essay some power.

However, you need to find the right question that can handle this topic. For example, “Introduce yourself.”

Sample C MBA Personal Statement

Here’s a sample MBA personal statement and how you can introduce yourself through your passion:

Source

Learn from this example how to approach the topic. You want to go back to the roots. Explain what planted the seed that grew into this devotion.

The origin of passion is always thrilling to read about. It helps the readers understand your aspirations better. What’s more, it helps them see potential in you to write just the perfect MBA essay.

Tell Your Story, Not Your Resume.

Every piece of the admission puzzle has its role. What you wrote in the resume and cover letter is behind you. You can’t retell the same information over and over again.

Now, it is time to focus on your story.

Forget about methodology and chronology. It’s time to get personal.

The purpose of the essay is to get to know the candidates. Praising your GPA and listing your work experience won’t help. You need to make the essay captivating.

Take on the role of a storyteller and draw the readers in. This is your chance to let your personality shine through.

Use vivid language and descriptions. Illustrate situations and emotions that were present at the time. Bring your story to life.

Here’s another sample MBA personal statement that shows the impact of storytelling. This MBA letter of intent or application essay captures your attention with the very first sentence. It takes you on a journey.

To prepare yourself, read some books for inspiration. Observe how good storytellers do it. Read articles on how to write an MBA essay. You could even read previous samples of MBA personal statement to draw inspiration on how to write yours.

The success stories of entrepreneurs can stimulate your ideas. You can learn from their story and their writing style.

Here are a few more methods for telling a story effectively:

• Choose a central message or the moral of the story.
• Progress the story towards central moral.
• Build compelling plots on obstacles and conflict.
• Stick to the clear structure: introduction, action, climax, and resolution.
• Don’t’ complicate it. Eliminate unnecessary backstory.
• Use your own voice and writing style.

Your MBA Statement Of Purpose Must Reflect Your Leadership Qualities

Leaders build companies from the ground up. Leaders inspire people. They take proper actions in the present for a better future.

Business schools want leaders. Show them that you are one.

But stating “I am a leader” won’t do. Nor will the statement “I want to be a successful leader” help. Your MBA statement of purpose needs to show that you have what it takes.

Give insight into your motivations, capabilities, and strengths. Emphasize experiences that present you as a proactive person. When was the time when you took charge?

Don’t stress if you can’t spot such an experience right away. Think harder.

You don’t need to be the team captain to prove your leadership skills. They can be seen in many ordinary situations.

Let’s say that you organized painting the benches in your neighborhood.

You gathered people together and led them to a set goal. You made a change in your community. This portrays you as a leader.

Leadership can be found everywhere. Just closely look at what you’ve done. Where can your progressiveness be noticed?

Observe the following sample MBA personal statement. It’s a story of a boy, a dream, and an action. A simple story that demonstrates leadership.

Source

The whole essay doesn’t need to revolve around leadership. Slip in an example that hints at your proactive capabilities. You can do this in any type of essay question.

Your MBA Personal Statement Should Back Up Claims with Examples.

Are you ready to rock that university term? Prove it. Better yet, show that you are ready through examples.

There’s nothing like examples to illustrate the point. The claims can seem empty if you can’t prove them.

Back up your statements with real-life examples. Use plenty of them.

If you want a winning essay, you can’t go around specific anecdotes. Broad summaries can never make an impact like details do.

Your character, the best traits, and work ethic are best seen in different situations.

Do you know what’s best about examples? You can lift yourself up without bragging.

Don’t say that you are resourceful. Tell a story that proves it. Share how you started Business A or freelancing or volunteering. How did your experience sharpen yor business acumen?

Don’t list your best traits. Share stories that put them in focus.

Real-life examples are interesting and edifying. They won’t be interpreted as personal praise.

Pay attention to the sample MBA personal statement you are about to see. It shows how examples make the essay more vivid.

Source

Instead of listing what he/she learned, the student told a story. This made the essay more fun to read. Moreover, it still answered the question perfectly.

Stories and examples are more memorable. They stick into the readers’ minds. General statements don’t have that effect.

Whatever question you have, supply the answer with examples. There is always something in your life that you can use.

What’s more, examples show that you memorize your lessons. You take notice of what happens to you. Present yourself as the person who values what life teaches you.

Wrap Up On MBA Personal Statement Examples

You Got This!

Turn the MBA application essay into your golden ticket for the interview. This piece of writing will help the committee understand who you are. Therefore, approach it with care.

Take your time. Do your research. Reflect on your uniqueness.

Resist the temptation to be under a lot of pressure. Especially if you don’t know how or where to start.

The question that puzzles many is: How do you write an MBA personal statement that stands outs?

Now you have your answer.

“Let’s get it over it” attitude won’t get you far. You need patience. You need to take a deep look inside yourself.

For starters, let go of the pressure. Simply focus on the question. That’s the only thing you should think about right now.

Now, sit at your desk, turn on the computer, and get to work. Embrace your authenticity and remember: you are worthy.

I hope this article guide on how to write an MBA application essay was helpful. You might want to learn how to write an MFA Personal Statement too.

Dorian Martin is a writer, editor, and proofreader. He studied computer science and continued to develop his knowledge in the fields of academic writing and content writing. Currently, Dorian works as a senior writer at a thesis writing service GetGoodGrade and educational expert at digital marketing conferences. Along with all of that, Dorian runs his personal blog.

The post 10 MBA Personal Statement Examples: How To Write An Application Essay That Will Impress Ivy League Business School Admissions Committees. {Tips + Samples} appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Serious poets want to be better writers of poetry. Also, they want to learn how to edit poetry.

Many poets understand that editing is as important as the actual writing. It’s your opportunity to examine and refine your work into a better and more developed piece worthy of awards. It makes sense to learn how to edit poetry. Who knows where your reputation as a poetry editor might take you?

Editing can seem daunting, and it’s also quite exciting. So take some time to experiment and find the techniques and processes that best work for you and your poetry.  Yes, you’ll have to learn to edit your poems first.

Here’s a guide on how to edit poetry. This guide includes poetry editing strategies guaranteed to help you become a great poetry editor. One strategy is to use poem editing tools like AI PoemGenerator to help you create and edit poems in a blink of an eye.

Take a Break From The Poem. 

Writing poetry can be difficult and consuming. After completing your poem, take a break from the creative process. Let your brain relax. Reapproach your poem with a fresh mind. You want to be able to read the line with fresh eyes.

This technique works when you’re editing your own poem and when you’re editing another writer’s poetry.

You’ll do a better job of assessing and editing the poem more objectively if you implement this technique.

Save the First Draft Of The Poem.

One of the reasons editing can feel intimidating is because of the idea that you’re “killing your darlings.”

Keep your unedited first draft, so the poetry editing process doesn’t feel like you’re cutting and discarding your own precious lines of poetry.

If your poem is typed, it can be helpful to print it out. Your unedited draft will remain on your computer, and editing is often easier when you physically highlight and make notes on the poem.

This way, instead of killing your darlings, you’re still letting them hang around, and the unused ones can be used in other poems.

In addition, your edits will be reversible, and you can compare your unedited and edited versions for even more improvements. All the best poetry editors use this strategy. It’s a good tactic for anyone who’s still learning how to edit poetry.

Read your Poem Like a Reader Would.

Read your poem in its entirety. Don’t make edits or think about adjustments. Let yourself enjoy the words and experience your poem like a reader would. After a complete read, note down your immediate thoughts and impressions. 

• Do any words or lines feel strange? 
• Which parts could use reinforcement? 
• Do some areas seem choppy or cramped? 

Think about the reader’s perspective. 

• Is the writing clear or confusing? 
• Is the theme or message of your poem coming across?

It can also be helpful to read your poem aloud so you can pick up on how it sounds. 

• How is the rhythm and flow? Is your writing eloquent enough?

Reading through your poem and breaking down what exactly needs to be fixed will result in more productive and efficient editing. Now you’re prepared to make your first level of edits.

Enhance the Style

After making the first round of adjustments, begin focusing on style edits. The style of a poem is all the choices that are made to create the poem’s meaning. Coleridge’s The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is a good example of a well edited poem.

This can range from literary devices to punctuation to rhythm to mood. Examine your style elements and how they contribute to the poem; they should enhance your writing and complement the themes and meaning of your poem.

That being said, you should also make sure that your poem isn’t crowded with style elements. Poetry is a form that operates by the “less is more” policy, so sometimes it can be helpful to remove excess.

• Does your style complement your poem?
• What elements could be enhanced to contribute to a more developed piece?
• What elements could be taken out to clear unnecessary crowding and confusion?

Assess the Language Of The Poem.

Carefully study your word choice. Every word should be contributing to the theme, structure, and rhythm of your poem. Also examine your diction and what it is implying. 

• Does the diction match your theme and style? 
• Are there ways to maximize the effect?
• What is one way to revise for word choice?
• Is this poem good enough for oral reading?

This is a good time to take out your thesaurus and experiment with word choice. Also, poetry usually isn’t as word-heavy as other forms of writing. Keep that in mind while editing; it’s better to remove unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Additionally, make sure you are beginning and ending with powerful lines for a stronger poem and greater impact.

Reorder and Restructure

Once you’ve done all your writing-based edits, give your poem another read. Assess the order and structure of your poem. Experiment with different stanza and line orders to find which sounds and flows the best. This will help you to learn how to edit poetry.

Poetry also involves an aesthetic element; try altering your lines to make your poem look better on the page. If your poem is typed up, a helpful tip is to change the font.

Your brain gets accustomed to observing the same text; changing the font will let you assess it with fresh eyes and assess the structure better. As a bonus, grammar and spelling errors are easier to detect with a font change.

• Can your stanzas be reordered to flow better and make a better poem?
• Could your lines be rearranged within the individual stanzas to emphasize meaning?
• Could your lines be shortened, lengthened, or combined to create a better structure?

Ask Others for Feedback

After you’ve made all your edits, it can be helpful to ask others for their suggestions. Share your poems with trusted friends, family, or other writers and ask them for feedback.

A good practice is to ask others what they think the poem is about. You may get some interesting poetry analyses that can indicate whether your poem is being understood the way you want it to or not.

Keep in mind that you get to decide what to do with the feedback you receive. If you found it insightful you could use it to do another level of edits. You could also choose not to act upon the feedback; it’s your poem, edit it as you see fit. 

You can also seek feedback on the behalf of the writer whose poem you’re editing. The feedback you’ll get will help you do a better job of editing the poem. With time, you’ll figure out everything you need to learn about how to edit poetry.

Rewrite Your Poetry.

Every poet has heard this saying, ‘the first draft is always trash.’

While editing a poem, be prepared to revise some lines. Writing experts advice poets to edit until your poem says what you want it to say. Writing experts advice poets to edit until your poem says what you want it to say before getting it published.

Edit the poem until it sings. If you’re still learning how to edit poetry, don’t be in a haste to rewrite ‘imperfect’ sentences. Be careful to avoid editing out the writer’s voice. Strike a balance between maintaining the writer’s voice and improving the lines of the poem.

Read The Poem Out Loud.

After a few rounds of revision, read the poem aloud. This will help you to spot errors you might have missed.

Read the poem to a small audience, and listen to their opinion. Good poems are often good for oral reading.

Also, ask yourself if you’re satisfied with the edited poem. If you aren’t, revise the part that require some improvement.

Congratulations on completing your poem, if you feel satisfied with the completed poem!

If you aren’t happy with the finished work, no worries! You can always return to the editing process and write as many drafts as you need.

Use A Grammar And Spell Checker Like Every Good Poem Editor.

Every poet who’s still figuring out how to write a poem must use a grammar checker or a spell checker. This will go a long way to help you to correct small grammatical and spelling errors.

Wrap Up On How To Edit Poetry.

Poetry editing isn’t a small feat. It requires a lot of writing and reading, as well as a ot of practicing. You have to learn to take a break from the poem with the aim of backing back to the poem with fresh eyes. Other strategies include:

• rewriting the poem
• Getting feedback from seasoned poetry critics or writers
• Restructure your poem
• Read the poem aloud to yourself and them to a small group of cohorts.
• Using a grammar checker
• Take a break from the poem.
• Using a thesaurus or a dictionary. 

It’s standard practice for every editor to use a dictionary or a thesaurus. This ensures that only the apt and concise words make it into the final draft.

While figuring out how to edit a poem, strive to choose the best words in the poem you’re editing. Many editor poets often wonder, “what is one way to revise for word choice?” My answer: revise awkward-sounding lines and use a thesaurus or a dictionary.

Did you ever have to actively learn how to revise a poem? What lessons have you learned from your experience? Please share your story in the comments section below. There are thousands of poets who want to learn how to edit a poem.

You can find more poetry writing tips in this article.

The post How To Edit Poetry: A Guide On How To Become One Of The Best Poem Editors In The World. appeared first on Creative Writing News.