What do you do if your storytelling skills aren't improving despite feedback?

Although writers and fellow creatives approach storytelling with a shared enthusiasm, not all of them have studied the mechanics of it as an art and a science. If you've plateaued in your ability to tell stories, getting honest feedback from a trusted consultant who specializes in this area will give you an opportunity to get to the core diagnosis of the root of the problem. This will give you actionable skills to isolate, address, and practice. From there, there are specific classes you can take to hear expert level teachers break the basics down into managable takeaways. These days there's no need to struggle on your own until you stumble accidentally into an approach that works.

Some ways that might be helpful include : - Sign up for courses, training, seminars etc. - Get a mentor for one - on - one guidance and tutelage

Stop. Got your attention? Good. Listen close. Your first mistake was relying on feedback. Writing is a solitary profession, not a collaborative effort. Writers create a product and submit it to sell. So take a close look at your work. Ask one simple question... is there another way to tell this story? The answer will tell you what's wrong. Now rip it apart and rewrite it. Fix the run-on sentences, over-narration and lack of dialogue. Modify the pace with a blend of paragraph length and dialogue. Review your characters... can the reader visualize them based on your descriptions? Hear their unique voices through dialogue? Then submit it. If it's rejected, listen to what the editor said. Then revise it and submit it again.

Studying the works of great storytellers is an excellent way to improve your storytelling skills. Through analyzing their narrative techniques, character development, and language usage, you can gain valuable insights into the elements that make a story engaging. By applying these lessons to your writing, you can refine your skills and overcome any issues you may encounter in your skill development.

Revisiting fundamental storytelling principles is like sharpening your tools before starting a project. It ensures that you have a solid foundation to build upon and helps you stay focused on what truly matters in crafting a compelling narrative. By mastering these basics, you can bring clarity and depth to your storytelling, leading to significant improvement in your writing abilities.

I find this especially helpful. Never downplay the impact of a change of scenery, environment and perspective. It can do wonders for your writing and your muse

The writing profession is harsh. You write, submit, get rejected. There's a reason "gold in the slush pile" is a publishing phrase. Same thing with form rejections. Great writers develop thick skins. They move past knee-jerk emotional reaction to criticism into a professional attitude. They learn to self-critique for writing mechanics, pacing, plot inconsistencies. They write better. Most writers quit. Successful writers evolve. They master the craft. They analyze their market for what sells, then revise their product. They establish relationships with editors who'll mentor them. Then they start getting paid. It's always been harsh. Question is, are you willing to suffer the necessary scars to become a successful writer?