To write better sentences in creative writing, let your characters act in the active voice, cut similes and filter words that add nothing, keep each sentence easy to follow, and choose strong, precise verbs. The 10 tips below show each one with an example.
Creative writing is a craft that takes time and effort to master. Whether you are a novelist, a poet, a screenwriter, or any other kind of creative writer, your sentences are the building blocks of your work. They need to be clear and engaging to hold your reader's attention.
1. Avoid the passive voice
The passive voice is a common pitfall for many writers, and avoiding it is one of the easiest ways to make your sentences stronger.
In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon instead of performing the action itself. This can put distance between the reader and the action and make the writing feel flat.
Compare these two sentences:
- Passive voice: The cake was eaten by Tom.
- Active voice: Tom ate the cake.
The active sentence puts the subject (Tom) at the center of the action, which makes it feel immediate. Your writing will feel stronger if you focus on the person doing the action.
There are situations when you want the passive voice on purpose. It puts the emphasis on the action or on the object being acted upon, rather than on the person who performs the action. That is useful when the object matters more than the person, or when nobody knows who did it:
- Passive voice: The painting was stolen from the museum.
- Active voice: Someone stole the painting from the museum.
Here the passive voice keeps the painting in the spotlight, not the unknown thief.
How to spot the passive voice
Look for a form of "to be" (such as "is", "was", or "were") followed by a past participle (such as "eaten", "stolen", or "written"). To turn the sentence into the active voice, make the person who acts the subject, or rephrase the sentence entirely:
- Passive voice: The report was written by Jane.
- Active voice: Jane wrote the report.
When you prefer the active voice, your sentences become more dynamic and more memorable, and they keep readers engaged.
2. Cut unnecessary similes
Similes add descriptive language and can make your writing more vivid. Too many of them, or ones that add nothing, distract readers and can come across as clichéd.
Here is an unnecessary one:
The sun rose over the mountains like a giant glowing orb.
The simile adds no information and no new perspective on the sunrise. The reader already knows what the sun looks like and does not need it compared to a giant glowing orb. Instead, describe the sunrise in a way that feels fresh:
The sun slowly peeked over the jagged peaks, casting a golden glow over the landscape below.
This captures the beauty of the sunrise without leaning on a tired comparison.
A simile that works in one context can seem overused in another, so consider the purpose of each one and whether it really adds to the meaning of the sentence. Similes work best when they connect something abstract with something concrete, or when they show something familiar from a fresh angle:
She stood in the rain, feeling like a flower drowning in a flood.
This simile turns a feeling, being overwhelmed and vulnerable, into an image the reader can see.
When you cut the similes that add nothing and keep the ones that add value, your sentences capture the reader's attention and hold it.
3. Avoid overloaded sentences
Good writing strikes a balance between rich, varied sentences and sentences that are easy to understand.
A common mistake is to cram too much information into a single sentence. When a sentence has too many clauses and phrases, it becomes hard to follow. Aim instead for sentences that each carry one main idea. That keeps your writing clear and concise.
Do not be afraid to vary your sentence length and structure, though. Mixing short and long sentences creates rhythm and keeps readers engaged, as long as the meaning of each sentence stays clear.
To find sentences that are too complicated, read your writing aloud. If you run out of breath or stumble over words, the sentence is probably too long. Break it into shorter sentences that are easier to follow.
When you do need a long sentence, make sure each clause is clear and has a distinct purpose. Punctuation such as commas or semicolons can break it into manageable chunks.
- Overloaded: While I was walking in the park, I saw a group of children playing and laughing, and I couldn't help but smile, remembering the carefree days of my own childhood.
- Simplified: The children laughing in the park made me smile. I remembered my own carefree days.
The simplified version drops the unnecessary details and clauses, so it is easier to read.
4. Do not let body parts take the action
Another mistake that new writers often make is to use body parts as the subjects of their sentences. Instead of The hand grabbed the book, write I grabbed the book or He grabbed the book.
A hand that acts on its own feels detached, as if it belonged to nobody. When people are the subjects of your sentences, the reader feels connected to the characters or the narrator and stays invested in the story. So keep the focus on the characters themselves, not on their body parts.
5. Avoid "started to" and "began to"
Many writers have their characters start or begin an action instead of simply doing it. This habit makes the action less immediate and rarely helps the reader understand it.
Take Anna started to smile. You could simply write Anna smiled. Both say the same thing, but Anna smiled is stronger and more immediate. Without "started to", the sentence puts the focus on the action itself rather than on the build-up to it, and it draws the reader into the moment.
Keep "started to" for an action that really is interrupted: Anna started to smile, then saw the letter in his hand.
The same goes for the way your sentences begin. When every sentence starts the same way, for example with a character's action, the writing becomes monotonous. Vary the structure: start with a description, a line of dialogue, or even a question to draw the reader into the story.
6. Set the tone with your word choices
The words you choose have a strong effect on the tone and mood of your piece. With the right words, you create an atmosphere that draws the reader into your story and your world. Whether you want a lighthearted tone, a dark and brooding one, or something in between, your word choices set it.
- The car crept down the narrow street.
- The car raced down the narrow street.
- The car meandered down the narrow street.
In the first sentence, "crept" suggests caution and slowness: the driver is moving carefully. In the second, "raced" suggests urgency: the driver is in a hurry. In the third, "meandered" suggests leisure: the driver is taking their time and enjoying the view.
By choosing different words for the same action, you can create very different moods.
7. Remove filtering
Filtering means putting the reader's experience through a character's senses with words such as "I saw", "I heard", "I felt", or "I thought", instead of letting the reader experience the scene directly. These words put distance between the reader and the story and make it harder to become immersed in it.
Remove filtering from your writing wherever you can. Instead of telling the reader what the character saw or heard, show it directly through sensory details.
For example, instead of I heard a loud noise, you could write A deafening crash echoed through the room, and I jumped in my seat. Showing instead of telling makes the reading experience more immersive.
8. Reduce the "was -ing" construction
Too many "was -ing" constructions (the past progressive, as in was walking) make your writing feel slow and flat. They are not the passive voice, but they often lean on a weak verb where a stronger one would do the work.
Use stronger, more descriptive verbs instead, or rework the sentence to put the emphasis on the character. Compare:
- He was walking down the street.
- He sauntered down the street.
The first sentence tells you only that he walked. In the second, the verb "sauntered" also shows how he walked: slowly, at ease, perhaps a little pleased with himself.
The past progressive is not wrong. It is the right choice for an action that was going on when something else happened: He was walking down the street when the phone rang. Just do not let it become your default.
9. Keep the wording natural
Use language that feels natural rather than stiff. Avoid overly formal language and phrases that do not sound like something a real person would say.
Read your writing aloud and listen for phrases that feel awkward or clunky. Ask yourself whether a real person would say these words, or whether they would phrase it differently.
- It is imperative that we arrive at the designated location by the appointed time.
- We need to get there on time.
The first sentence is overly formal and does not sound like everyday speech. The second is natural and to the point. (In dialogue, of course, a stiff line can be exactly right for a stiff character.)
10. Choose the right vocabulary level
The words a character or a narrator uses can show who they are and what they value. But the level of your vocabulary also affects how fast people read: advanced words slow the reader down, so use them on purpose.
Different readers like a different pace. Some enjoy savoring each word, while others prefer a text that moves quickly. As a writer, consider how your word choices affect the reading speed and the experience of your audience.
It can be tempting to show off an extensive vocabulary. Use it in moderation and only when it adds something. Your goal is to keep your audience interested in your story, and choosing your words with your readers in mind helps you do that.
- Advanced vocabulary: The erudite professor began pontificating about the intricacies of the esoteric subject, inundating his audience with a plethora of abstruse terminology.
- Simpler vocabulary: The learned professor lectured on the details of the obscure subject and buried his audience in difficult terms.
Both sentences say the same thing, but the first one uses advanced words that slow the reader down. The second is easier to understand and moves the reader through the text more quickly.
Conclusion
Better sentences make you a better writer. Prefer the active voice, cut unnecessary similes, untangle overloaded sentences, let people act rather than their body parts, drop "started to" and filter words, choose strong verbs, keep your wording natural, and match your vocabulary to your readers.
The goal is not to impress with fancy words or convoluted phrasing. It is to tell your ideas and stories in a way that resonates with readers. For more ideas, see these 6 tips for writing sentences that are awesome. Once a draft is finished, the Spell Checker catches its spelling and grammar mistakes, and its Picky mode suggests where a wordy phrase could be simpler.