The creative writing process for authors
Welcome to our guide to the ideal writing process! This page offers you a structured approach on how to proceed from the initial idea to the perfect manuscript.
Phase 1: Creative writing - the rough draft
Scribigo supports your creativity
With Scribigo's automatic revision tools, you can concentrate fully on your creative work - our specialised tools take care of the technical aspects of revision for you.
Basic principles of creative writing
- Switch off your inner critic: Start by writing without self-censorship
- Continuous flow: Stay in the flow of writing without correcting too much
- Focus on plot and charactersDetails can be refined later
Practical tips for the first draft
- Establish a daily writing routineideally at the same time
- Word targets (e.g. 500-1000 words per day)
- Accepting imperfect sentences - They will be revised later
- Notes for later research instead of interrupting the flow of writing
- Scene sketches Create for complex plot parts
"The first version can be miserable. That's what it's there for." - Ernest Hemingway
Phase 2: Structural revision - form and perspective
Changing tenses as a creative tool
Different tenses produce different effects:
| Tense | Effect | Particularly suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Present tense | Immediacy, tension | Thriller, action, dramatic scenes |
| Preterite tense | Classic storytelling, balance | Most novels, traditional storytelling |
| Past perfect | History, memories | Flashbacks, historical inserts |
Tips for changing tenses:
- Direct speech always left in the original form
- Time references adapt accordingly ("yesterday" becomes "the day before" when changing to the present tense)
- Inner monologues Handle with care
- Check in particular Temporal adverbs and relative tenses
Scribigo tools for tense changes: Use our specialised tools for automatic tense changes in three variants:
- Presence (present) - For immediate, suspenseful narratives
- Preterite (simple past) - For classic storytelling
- Past perfect (completed past) - For flashbacks and historical contexts
All tools are available both in the live editor for individual scenes and in the manuscript upload for entire chapters.
Change of perspective and its effects
| Narrative perspective | Characteristic | Narrative possibilities |
|---|---|---|
| First-person narrator | Subjective, immediate, limited perception | Deep identification, personal insights |
| He/she narrator | Closeness with distance, focussed view | Balance between intimacy and overview |
| Omniscient narrator | Full overview, multiple perspectives | Complex storylines, epic narratives |
| You-narrator | Direct approach, unusual | Experimental literature, interactive feeling |
Tips for changing your perspective:
- The Knowledge horizon Respect the chosen perspective
- Dialogue tags Adjust accordingly
- Sensory perceptions only from a permitted perspective
- With several figures Ensure clear assignment of the perspective
Scribigo tools for changing perspectives: Revolutionise your narrative with our automatic perspective change tools:
- First-person narrator - For personal, direct narratives
- He/She-Third party personnel - For a focussed perspective with distance
- Omniscient narrator - For complex, multi-stranded narratives
- You-narrator - For experimental, directly appealing texts
Each tool is available both in the live editor for experimenting with individual scenes and in the manuscript upload for comprehensive perspective changes.
Phase 3: Stylistic refinement - reading flow and expression
Reduction of word repetitions
- Identify favourite words - often unconsciously repeated terms
- Use thematic synonym lists for common terms
- Vary sentence beginnings - do not always start with the same word
- Text analysis tools Use to detect frequent repetitions
Scribigo tool for reducing word repetitions: Our specialised tool automatically detects annoying word repetitions and filler words and suggests stylistically suitable alternatives. Available both in the live editor for selective improvements and in the manuscript upload for comprehensive optimisation.
Elimination of filler words
Typical filler words that can usually be deleted:
- "actually", "in fact", "basically"
- "somehow", "to a certain extent", "quasi"
- "so to speak", "relatively", "quite"
- "a little", "a little", "something"
Improving the reading flow
Optimise sentence structure:
- Vary record lengths - Mix short and long sentences
- Natural transitions between paragraphs
- Diversify sentence beginnings - do not always begin with the subject
- Active instead of passive - if it fits the style
Refine expression:
- Precise verbs instead of verb-noun constructions
- Concrete instead of abstract terms use
- Sensual details Install for liveliness
- Rhythm and sound of the text
Scribigo tool for reading flow and style: Our advanced AI tool for improving flow and style analyses your text and optimises it while preserving your unique narrative voice. Available in the live editor for quick feedback and in the manuscript upload for comprehensive stylistic refinement.
Phase 4: Final corrections
Spelling correction
- Automatic spell check as first instance
- Technical terms and names Check separately
- Consistent spellings ensure (e.g. for compound words)
- Punctuation according to Duden check (unless stylistically intended otherwise)
- Typographical subtleties note (dashes, inverted commas, etc.)
Grammar correction
- Agreement of subject and verb check
- Tenses consistent hold (within sections)
- Case after prepositions control
- Pronouns and their related words check
Scribigo tool for final correction: Our precise correction tool for grammar and spelling finds even hidden errors and ensures a professional manuscript. Available both in the live editor for quick corrections and in the manuscript upload for comprehensive checking of complete works.
Scribigo Editor - Your flexible working environment
Live editor for focussed editing
- Ideal for the Revision of individual scenes
- Real-time feedback on style and reading flow
- Experimenting with perspectives and tenses in limited sections
- Perfect for targeted polishing of important passages
- Access to all Scribigo tools for changes in tense and perspective, style improvement and correction
Manuscript upload for comprehensive editing
- Processing complete chapters or the entire manuscript
- Consistency check over larger text units away
- Analysis of entire storylines structural strengths and weaknesses
- Comprehensive style analysis with detailed suggestions for improvement
- All Scribigo tools for extensive reworking in a single pass
Expert tips for the optimal writing process
Time management
- 70/30 rule: 70% of time for the first draft, 30% for revisions
- Cooling phase Plan between draft and revision (at least 1-2 weeks)
- Separate revision rounds thematically (first structure, then style, then correction)
Obtain feedback
- Beta reader Select strategically (for different aspects)
- Targeted questions ask questions instead of asking for general feedback
- Critical faculties develop without losing your own vision
Self-reflection
- Writing diary lead to documentation of progress
- Strengths and weaknesses identify in your own writing style
- Targeted reading from role models in their own genre
By authors for authors - The Scribigo philosophy
Our team consists of experienced authors and editors who know the challenges of the creative writing process from their own experience. We have developed the Scribigo platform to facilitate the journey from first draft to publication-ready manuscript.
Our Scribigo tools at a glance:
- Final correction (grammar & spelling)
- Improve reading flow and style
- Change of perspective: omniscient narrator, you-narrator, he/she-third person, first-person narrator
- Reduce word repetitions and filler words
- Change of tense: past perfect, present, past tense
All tools are available both in the live editor and in the manuscript upload, allowing you to choose flexibly between focussed and comprehensive editing.
Get started on your masterpiece today - Scribigo is with you every step of the way!
