Twitter Writetip & EditTip Collection #9

Here's the 9th collection of my Twitter writing and editing tips. As always, I had to make them short due to the space limit. If you have any question, just leave it in the comment section or tweet me. And if you're interested in my editing service, please visit my editor website. Thanks for visiting~

If your book has an ordinary/simple plot, don't stretch it into a series just for the sake of it. Not every book has a rich, epic plot.

A rule of thumb. Don't use 25 words to say something that can be said with 5. Learn to be succinct. Delete. #stabbylove #writetip

Disguise them with commas and dashes all you want. They're still run-on sentences. You're not fooling me. -_- #stabbylove

Comma splices are the most common problem for writers. When in doubt, just break up the sentence. Don't stick commas everywhere! #writetip

Creative writing is much more than spelling/grammar. Hence, an English teacher doesn't mean an editor. Look up substantive editing. #EditTip

I can always tell a newbie writer from the amount of purple prose they use. I don't care how sunlight shone through the window! #stabbylove

Can you imagine if LOTR was written with a bunch of flowery, purple prose? Save for literary fiction where it may fit. #writetip #EditTip

Writers afraid of getting beta readers in fear of story being stolen. Um...nothing is original. It's all been written. It's how you execute.

Back to #amediting. I'm constantly amazed at a writer's inability to use Search/Find function to check some words for over usage. #writetip

Visualize what your characters are doing before you write. Clearly. Don't just write random words that come to mind. #stabbylove

I want to know what the protagonist looks like within first few pages. No info. dumping, just the physical characteristics. Is it just me?

Age appropriate theme & language may seem elusive regarding YA and YA crossover. But remember that children are your audience. #stabbylove

So far, my morning bathroom read was full of "I'm sad," he said sadly, in a sad voice. Lemme guess. He's sad? Ptooie. I need a shower.

Honestly, writers, READ YOUR MS OUT LOUD. It's important to check the fluidity of your words! Well-written words SOUND good, too. #writetip

Assign dialogue tags and action tags to the right speaker/do-er. Those by a different character needs to be in another line. #writetip

Don't rely on comparisons, metaphors, or cliches. You're a writer. Write clear, vivid descriptions in your own words. #stabbylove #writetip

Distinguish between FARTHER & FURTHER. Farther has "far" it it, so it's physical distance. The other is the metaphorical distance. #writetip

1)Writers. Don't ever use superlative in absolutes like "dead." You're either alive or dead. Never most dead or deadest. #writetip #stabbylove

2)Yeah. Especially when you can't use "most" and "iest" together. It's either or. They just won't learn... #stabbylove

1)Once I read a MS that went on and on about the room with unnecessary descriptions. Thought I was reading Architectural Digest. #stabbylove

2)Why should I care if an old, faded curtain in 3 shades of reds hung 5 inches, neatly over a 3x3 wood-framed window? Move on! #stabbylove

Don't let your prejudices or stereotyping bleed into your books unless your character is a bigot. Ignorance and bad grammar make bad books.