What are general hints and tips about creative writing?

Do you have any tips on writing an effective academic paper?

• Actually, specifically, I am interested in tips on writing an essay to be submitted in a competition to win a college scholarship. I actually already entered once this year, but won nothing. I am an amateur writer. I suppose I write reasonably well. But I do have a few habits to my detriment. For instance, I often use long and complex vocabulary words. I am very verbose, and I often write using a lot of superfluous material. I tend to write in very abstract terms, using multiple metaphors, abrupt transitions, and I typically do not write in concrete terms. I prefer to write material which I would want to read myself, but I know that I have a somewhat obscure taste in Literature (I like Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, etc). I like Gothic material. My writing is fairly complex, I suppose. I strive deliberately to entertain and keep the attention of the reader, and I am petrified of writing boring material. Do you have any tips for me as a writer? What are some effective techniques for writing a highly effective academic paper- specifically, I want some tips on writing a highly effective, scholarship winning essay. Do you have any ideas to share? Thank you in advance!

• Answer:

  First just write the essay, don't edit it. Wait a day or two. Then begin revision. For example. In the above details of the Q, the first sentence - omit the two opening words: Actually specifically Begin the first sentence with I am interested.... The second sentence, still for example, omit the second and third words: actually already The third and fourth sentences could be reduced and combined. But I do have a few habits to my detriment - could be rewritten like this: I have a few detrimental habits. These are revision examples. Others might be to reduce the number of sentences beginning with 'I', reduce the use of the word 'very', etc. Rewording doesn't have to be rewriting: for example >>>I strive deliberately to entertain and [keep the attention of the reader], and I am petrified of writing boring material.<<<< [might be reworded] keep the reader's attention - which has simply taken it from 6 words to 4. You can enlist the help of writers, as you are here. Even your English teacher or Creative writing instructor might be willing to help you out on this...you'll need to ask. Use the thesaurus to shorten and simplify your verbiage. Hope this was of some use. You are to be applauded for your awareness that different types of writing require different styles, and for continuing to write for scholarships. Also there are small local community scholarships and grants that you may want to write for as well, and you can accumulate quite a good amount of those. Grant writing would be a way to support your writing, as well as supplement your teacher's salary, once you are hired -- so you may be on the practice path for that now. thanks for the Q ;)