This is the 6th edition of my Twitter writetip collections. For those of you who are not familiar, I tweet short writing tips on Twitter from time to time. Some people do miss the tweets, so I put them together and post them on my blog every 2 weeks. I hope you find them helpful. If you have a general question about writing or editing, you can post a comment here. If you have a manuscript/query letter & synopsis/blog posts/short stories editing and beta reading service question, visit my editor website or email me at sirraedits@gmail.com. Thanks~
Another cliche I can do without. "Silence is deafening." No, it's not. So stop using it.#writetip #amediting
Another cliche I can do without. "Silence is deafening." No, it's not. So stop using it.#writetip #amediting
It's like this book is a treasure trove of cliches. "Beating around the bush" Unless your MC is actually doing it, don't use it!! #writetip
"Hello." She said. <--Nooo! "Hello," she said. <--Yes!! Please take note.#writetip
Unless it's action. Like this. "No." She stabbed.#writetip
Beta readers: Be helpful. Be prompt. Finish. Writers: Don't be douchey. Say thank you even if you don't agree. Manners, folks. #stabbylove
Just a quick #writetip If you plan to query your book in U.S. you must have 3 different length synopsis. 1 page, 2-3 page, and 5 page.
Don't use ( ) or text lingo/abbreviation in dialogue. No one talks that way. Ex: "I lol so much btw b/c it was so (funny)." Crazy! #writetip
Writers often read outside of their genre. Reading is good but you must read your own genre especially if audience age differs.#writetip
Writing exercise. Take a page out of your WIP and rewrite in different POV and tense. It's a great way to get the juice flowing! #writetip
Some of your run-on sentences are too long. Read it aloud. You'll realize it when your face turns blue from lack of oxygen. #writetip
Lunch break from #amediting Writers. Using fancy words doesn't make your books intelligent. The plot does. Focus on better plots! #writetip
Use Past Perfect Tense only when necessary. Ex: "I have had a lot of experience." is so passive. "I'm experienced." sounds better. #writetip
Don't overuse past perfect (ex: have had). Try to use it in flashbacks (real past) only. It can make your writing so passive. #writetip
If you have a modifier (word/clause/phrase) at the beginning of the sentence, it must modify the very next word (subject). #writetip
Writers! If you start w/ an introductory phrase like "In conclusion" "Finally" "In my mind" Put a comma right after it. #writetip #amwriting
There are a lot of good things in here, some of which you've pointed out to me personally such as dialogue tag punctuation.
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate the examples as it makes it easier to understand how to apply the tips.
Avoiding past perfect to limit passive writing is something I'll have to work on.
Good post.
Lots of great advice!! Thanks! I'll be sure to keep it in mind! I like the one that says 'Some of your run-on sentences are too long. Read it aloud. You'll realize it when your face turns blue from lack of oxygen'. I was finding that a LOT in my editing today!
ReplyDeleteHa ha the explanation of run-on sentences here is not only funny but useful. I know you've tried to explain it to me before, but this one kind of made sense to me. As well as being highly entertaining.
ReplyDeleteLove this. :)
ReplyDeleteGood fun and so true. I particularly agree with reading out loud as an editing step. I have my computer do it, and don't look at the screen while I'm listening - until I hear something wrong or clumsy, of course.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips, Su. Great advice.
ReplyDeleteTip number 10 about run on sentences had me laughing out loud for real. Good and stabby, Su! Write on, sister.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, as usual. Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great info here on your blog. It has become a frequent point of reference for me!
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