Paragraphs Made Simple – Part 1

Good creative writing often looks easy to write. It’s only when you try to write for yourself you start coming across certain errors, often with paragraphing. One of the main errors I notice in all first drafts, which is expected of a first draft, is with paragraphing. Here are some tips to clarify their usage in creative writing.

1. Start a new paragraph when starting a new idea.

For example, maybe you have written a few sentences depicting a fight scene. The next part is where one of the characters involved storms out and we follow their thoughts and feelings over what just happened. This should be started in a new paragraph. Why? For one reason, because it is a new event, even though it is connected to the last event. Another reason is that, likely if not separated the paragraph will become excessively long. Long paragraph, short paragraphs…