Writer's Tips
I’ll start with several general items. I also want to try to put this in a version of English
everyone can understand. I’ve read several works on writing that seem to be writing for English
majors, as if they need it. My field is history. While there are many common elements there is a
huge difference between how the two are written.
First, the most important tip I can pass on. Read this in the WRITER’S mag. If you’re not
writing, you’re not a writer. And you should spend at least fifteen minutes a day on your writing.
If you have to force yourself to write, ask yourself why are you writing? It’s not for money. Few
authors make more than pocket change. For each book published, editors report rejecting about
300. They have limited printing press time. I read somewhere editors think 95% of books
submitted should not have been. That still means there are some good books not hitting the
stores due to that limited printing time. Write because you enjoy it. Write because you’ve got a
story to tell.
Second, let me paraphrase the great writer Isaac Asimov. This was meant for Sci-Fi. Fantasy
definitely applies and so should other types of fiction: When you create your world, it’s your
world. The story is your’s. You have a right to make the world and story the way you want. In
your world when you write about something that is normal for the real world you needn’t
explain it. But when you introduce something that is not normal you need to explain what it is
and why it’s in the story.
When I was in the class room I used to tell my students an essay was their chance to talk down
to the teacher. They were to pretend the teacher knew nothing. Writers should not think their
readers are dumb, but they should always remember the reader cannot read the writer’s mind.
They don’t know what was meant. Put it on paper.
Which brings up the point, write to your audience. Earlier today I was talking with a new
writer. He has a great story line. But the details he included would go over the heads of most of
his readers. You want your readers to read pass the second page. Know the age group, IQ level
and interests of those who might read your work. What a drunken sailor would say will be very
different for a group of middle-schoolers and for a bunch of adults.
Several writers’ mags suggest visiting large book stores. Take a look at the selection of works
similar to your story line. Two reasons. First if there’s not a book like yours, write your book!
If there’s one book, think about it. If there are three or more, forget it. It might make you feel
good and could be great practice, but you have little chance of getting it published. Both the
reader and publisher are going to ask, Why should they spend time and money on your work
instead of someone else’s? Second reason. See what's generally the norm for your genre. Doesn’
t mean you have to be a lemming. But you should have a good reason when deviating.
You decide if the story line is going to be man vs man (can be groups), man vs himself or man
vs nature.
Once you’ve decided to write the next question is, How? Talk to ten authors and you’ll get ten
styles. You’re just going to have to wing it on this one. See what works best for you. I know
authors who can sit down and type away, nothing done ahead of time. Most use some type of
outline. There is a vast difference is the amount of info in those outlines. Myself I like to start
with a general one page that offers lots of flexibility. I always end up at the spot I want, but boy
do I wander. New ideas pop up and many old ideas are rejected. For me the story line is the
most important element of the story. Good readable English is extremely important. But ask
yourself, do you want to read a story with a good plot and acceptable English or a dull plot with
excellent grammar?
What if? Two of the most powerful words in writing. I’ve had lots of new writers tell me they
can’t come up with ideas. The example I use to spur their imagination is this. I tell them to look
around the room at those present. That’s one story. Then I ask them what that same group
would be like in the year 1807, 1207 or 2407. There’s three more stories. Now what if those
groups were a different age, say 12 years olds? Or 87? Many more stories. Now would all
those groups be the same if they were in China? In Italy? In the Amazon rain forest? In Boston?
Many more story ideas. And we can add more. What if they were elves? Demons? (No jokes
about the 12 yr olds.) Or even aliens? As they say, get out of the box.
A professor once time told me there are no more new ideas. But there is an uncountable number
of possible combinations of old ideas. I'm not sure about the first part, but I definitely agree
with the second.
How much to write? Again ten authors would give you ten answers. Just write your story and
see how long it is. Looks like 80 to 120,000 words is what publishers consider a normal length
novel. Few authors’ first draft is the final one. Some like to go back and add. Most like to cut
out the fat and ‘I wrote that?’ Based on what I’ve heard I definitely recommend putting in too
much. When you’re editing, you can choose what to remove, leaving in the better of two ideas.
Before I start writing I make up a list of names, people and places, that’ll appear. Even add
some characteristics. As I write I’m always adding more. When they’re on page 205 few
people can remember the name of a minor character who popped in and out on page 31. The list
saves a lot of reading.
Another problem I’ve seen over the years. Remember what they taught you about outlining? No
A if there’s no B. That also goes for other things. Don’t call a bunch of slime balls cave orcs if
there are no other types of orcs in the story. Use orcs to tell the reader they’re not humans.
Have someone read the story, even before you’re finish. Even before you begin.
Another professor told me this story. He was finishing a paper to be presented to the board for
his oral exam. No mistakes were allowed. If even one he had to start all over. He read the paper
several times. Satisfied, he asked several pals to read. They said it was great. The four
members of the board each read it. Satisfied they sat him down for the four hours of hell. Later
the new doctor sat down at home to take one last look at his masterpiece before putting it away.
The first word Georgia was misspelled.
There’s only been one perfect man to walk the surface of this planet and they nailed his rear end
to a piece of dogwood. Ask for help! And thank them afterward. Writers’ clubs and
conferences are great. Try to get involved. Whether you agree with their opinions or not the
others always give you something to think about. And they are lots of material for stories! Oh,
what I could do with one writers’ group.
A few more general notes.
How do you make a character seem real? Speech patterns, habits, likes, quirks (be careful using
this), verbal descriptions.
Research!!! Even if it’s a made up world. Readers will spot when you don’t have your act
together. They’ll stop reading and probably never read another of your works.
Imagery is the picture you’re trying to paint in the reared’s mind.
Irony. Avoid. What you might think is ironic another might take offense to.
Style. Your usage of tone, mood, diction and imagery.
Tone. Every writer has their own personal attitude towards the subject being written about.
When the tone becomes the subject, you’re going to lose your audience.
Metaphor. Comparison between two items. ‘Your eyes sparkle like stars’. Spices up the work,
but be sure the reader knows what you’re comparing.
The plot of a story usually follows this path.
1.Introduction. Introduce your world, main characters and what the plot is about. Just enough to
lure the reader to the next page.
2.The body. Here’s the meat of the story. Where man travels to the lair. Where he sees the
dragon and thinks about running. Where he fights and slays the creature.
3.The conclusion. Where he rescues girl from the lair.
Heck of a nut shell. But that’s the norm. Nothing says you have to follow that. But if you don’t,
you better be careful.
Flash backs are great, but can easily be abused and misused. In LANDLIQSTA I was very
careful in those chapters where the flash back is the story.
Frank’s Notes
Over a seven month span I was fortunate to attend a weekly writers’ group headed by Frank
Green. Learnt more from him than during 20 years of English teachers. During those meetings I
took the following notes.
As soon as possible give the reason for the story - the plot. Why the reader wants to turn the
page.
DON”T REPEAT!!! Avoid using words over and over. Use different words with same
meaning. It gets boring! But be careful not to confuse the reader with too many words.
Be clear who you are writing about. Ex. 2 women are in the room. Who’s talking when? Don’t
write she said. Who is she? Remember, the reader can’t read your mind as to who you want
saying something.
Make it clear who’s speaking/thinking/doing - if the speaker/thinker/ doer is not named.
Dialogue tags - avoid - try to use dialogue to show who’s speaking. This often helps to control
the two problems above. “I don’t want to see that.” Robert turned his head.
Don’t be predictable. Keep them guessing. Again why does the reader want to turn the page?
There are a lot of things to avoid. I was surprised how much better my earlier works were when
I went back and edited out a lot of these. Avoid does not mean never use. There are times when
usage of one of these is right.
Avoid ‘it was’ his guide - instead: it guided him.
Avoid ‘because’ especially if in the mind.
Avoid lots of commas. But, however, and long list are about the only times to use them.
Not a Frank note. I read in one of the writer’s mags some advise I like. Try to write your
sentence so there are few if any commas in it (except for the three above). Once you start
thinking this way it’s easy and does make for easier reading.
$6,000 dollars = avoid repeats like this. Hate admitting this was mine.
Avoid = That was. I recommend avoiding the word THAT. Too many beginning writers use
this in every other sentence. I still have to watch myself with this one.
Avoid ‘ly’ ending words. It’s easy to use similar words. Sounds and reads better.
Avoid semi colon. Use commas if you have to.
Avoid too many scenes in too short a period. Don’t make the reader have to guess where they
are in the story. You want the story line to flow smoothly.
Avoid = Participial phase.
Avoid = get, got and etc. Sounds uneducated. See below.
Avoid = Almost, Nearly = either you do or you don’t. There are a lot of other aspects for
using this rule. Usually you want to be precise.
Avoid ‘it’ Let the reader know what it is.
Adverb clause - don’t use to start sentences.
Avoid excessive wording especially descriptions. You want some descriptions in order for the
reader to picture it in his mind. But you don’t need to pile it on.
Add a little fluff - visual imaging. But avoid padding. These two notes were taken often.
Don’t use the same title (Of person, place or thing) over and over.
Don’t use a word too often, esp 4 letter words.
If something’s not needed - remove it.
Resist the Urge to Explain!
Resist the Urge to Explain! This needs to be stressed. If it’s not needed for the story, don’t put
it in.
Now for things to do.
A story has a beginning, middle and end. Antidote only has any 2 of these.
Use the idea the story is being viewed through a video camera.
Control how the reader reads the item.
SPELLING! Double check Spell Check! Use a dictionary! Spell check won’t tell you if you
have the wrong word. And forget grammar checks.
Point Of View - focus, don’t bounce around. Stay with the same POV.
Be consistent - use only one view point = 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
1st person = I we Person is objective and usually a unreliable teller. He’s
actually a character in the story.
2nd person = you No one has given me a good explanation of this.
3rd person = He She Most stories tend to use this. The narrator is not in the story.
4th person = God see everything Subjective and reliable
teller. To me this sounds a lot like the 3th.
Use verbs that show the action. (Type of metaphor.)
Use unusual words or usual words in unusual ways. Keeps from being boring.
Use correct size - a hand pushing an asteroid would be star size, not solar system size.
Use ‘Drew said’ instead of ‘said Drew.’ This does read better. Said can be replaced by such
words as, remarked, commented, replied.
Use terms readers will know - Ex. a navy ship driver is a pilot to civilians.
Breaks - Use whenever there is a change of time, location, point of view. Simply place a # in
the middle if a line and start the new item on the next line.
#
Don’t be experimental accidentally. Control the story, don’t let it control you. VIPER was an
accident. I realized about the seventh story what was happening, liked it and kept on.
(3 spaces then a dot) . . . = Use when there is a pause in something. Such as stopping to
think while talking.
(2 spaces dash 2 spaces ) "I was - ” = Use when the speaker is interrupted.
Use the dash instead of the semi-colon.
Y’all and Ya’ll are the correct spelling. Avoid Kentucky’s You All. (Sorry Kentucky. Us deep
south boys favor ya’ll.)
Add senses - smell, touch, feel, etc. This is part of adding a little fluff to spice the story.
Women who were not heard = women not heard. The second reduces the number of words.
There are lots of other examples of this type of trimming.
Pick the right verb, right image, right metaphor. You’re painting a picture with words.
Dialogue high lights what’s not being said. In dialogue the speaker often adds something
unexpected. Use this to tell what’s happening.
Don’t say she’s bored - show she’s bored.
The boy hit the ball is the correct way. the ball was hit by the boy is not correct. The boy is
the subject.
Thought is action, use it as so.
You’ve got to bring the character to life before you can kill the character.
Each character should have an attitude
Read story out loud when you are proofing it. It does make a difference!!!!
Frank recommended these two books: Chicago Manuscript of Style. One of those big thick
books designed to put you to sleep. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers I own a copy. If you’re
not able to join a writers’ group I also recommend this. But I feel it was written more for
English majors then dumbies like me.
Not a Frank note. Today most editors are not editors, they’re deciders. They’re not going to edit
your work and smooth out the typos. You have to turn in a perfect work. You are the editor!
Today editors are busy going through 300 submissions deciding which are junk, hoping to find a
few worth looking at a second time and praying they find that next best seller.
Author unknown. Originally written for middle-schoolers. But it offers lots of good ideas for
all ages.
101 Ways to Praise
that’s incredible how extraordinary
far out outstanding performance
I can’t get over it great!
Amazing effort unbelievable work
wonderful! Marvelous
phenomenal! You’ve got it
superb! Cool!
Excellent! You’re special
your work is out of sight your project is first-rate
you’ve outdone yourself way to go
thumbs up you’re a good friend
you came through terrific
you tried hard your help counts
you made it happenit couldn’t be better fantastic work!
You’re a real trooper fabulous!
Bravo! Exceptional!
You’re unique awesome
breathtaking! The time you put in really
shows! You’re a great example for
others keep up the good work
I knew you had it in you dynamite
it’s everything I hoped for! You should be proud of
yourself what an imagination!
You make the difference well done
you’re sensational very good!
A+ work super job
good for you take a bow
you figured it out great answer
you’re doing a lot better thanks for being honest
how artistic hooray for you
you’re a joy how thoughtful of you
you’re amazing you’re getting there
what a great idea you deserve a hug
thanks for trying you’re getting better
you’re a big help you’re tops
you’ve made progress you’re neat
you’ve got what it takes you’re #1
you’re a shining star you can be trusted
WOW! Remarkable!
Beautiful I’m proud of you
very impressive you’re sharp
you’re a winner hot dog
spectacular work you’re so kind
you’ve really grown up what a great listener
thanks for helping great discovery
you’ve earned my respect thanks for caring
you’re a-okay you’re a great kid
how original you’re a champ
you’re a pleasure to know very brave
what a genius you’re very talented
you’re the greatest you’re super
you’re on target
The following was sent to me via email. Sender and original author are unknown. I’m not sure
why this was sent to me, but I’ve enjoyed it. Be sure to slowly read the complete example.
How to write good.
1. Avoid alliteration. Always.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They’re old hat.)
4. Employ the vernacular.
5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
7. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
8. Contractions aren’t necessary.
9. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
10. One should never generalize.
11. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you
know.”
12. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
13. Don’t be redundant, don’t use more words than necessary, it’s highly superfluous.
14. Be more or less specific.
15. Understatement is always best.
16. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
17. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
18. The passive voice is to be avoided.
19. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialism.
20. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
21. Who needs rhetorical questions?
22. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
I hope the above is helpful. Take your pen out and put some ink on the paper. There’s always
something to write about.
everyone can understand. I’ve read several works on writing that seem to be writing for English
majors, as if they need it. My field is history. While there are many common elements there is a
huge difference between how the two are written.
First, the most important tip I can pass on. Read this in the WRITER’S mag. If you’re not
writing, you’re not a writer. And you should spend at least fifteen minutes a day on your writing.
If you have to force yourself to write, ask yourself why are you writing? It’s not for money. Few
authors make more than pocket change. For each book published, editors report rejecting about
300. They have limited printing press time. I read somewhere editors think 95% of books
submitted should not have been. That still means there are some good books not hitting the
stores due to that limited printing time. Write because you enjoy it. Write because you’ve got a
story to tell.
Second, let me paraphrase the great writer Isaac Asimov. This was meant for Sci-Fi. Fantasy
definitely applies and so should other types of fiction: When you create your world, it’s your
world. The story is your’s. You have a right to make the world and story the way you want. In
your world when you write about something that is normal for the real world you needn’t
explain it. But when you introduce something that is not normal you need to explain what it is
and why it’s in the story.
When I was in the class room I used to tell my students an essay was their chance to talk down
to the teacher. They were to pretend the teacher knew nothing. Writers should not think their
readers are dumb, but they should always remember the reader cannot read the writer’s mind.
They don’t know what was meant. Put it on paper.
Which brings up the point, write to your audience. Earlier today I was talking with a new
writer. He has a great story line. But the details he included would go over the heads of most of
his readers. You want your readers to read pass the second page. Know the age group, IQ level
and interests of those who might read your work. What a drunken sailor would say will be very
different for a group of middle-schoolers and for a bunch of adults.
Several writers’ mags suggest visiting large book stores. Take a look at the selection of works
similar to your story line. Two reasons. First if there’s not a book like yours, write your book!
If there’s one book, think about it. If there are three or more, forget it. It might make you feel
good and could be great practice, but you have little chance of getting it published. Both the
reader and publisher are going to ask, Why should they spend time and money on your work
instead of someone else’s? Second reason. See what's generally the norm for your genre. Doesn’
t mean you have to be a lemming. But you should have a good reason when deviating.
You decide if the story line is going to be man vs man (can be groups), man vs himself or man
vs nature.
Once you’ve decided to write the next question is, How? Talk to ten authors and you’ll get ten
styles. You’re just going to have to wing it on this one. See what works best for you. I know
authors who can sit down and type away, nothing done ahead of time. Most use some type of
outline. There is a vast difference is the amount of info in those outlines. Myself I like to start
with a general one page that offers lots of flexibility. I always end up at the spot I want, but boy
do I wander. New ideas pop up and many old ideas are rejected. For me the story line is the
most important element of the story. Good readable English is extremely important. But ask
yourself, do you want to read a story with a good plot and acceptable English or a dull plot with
excellent grammar?
What if? Two of the most powerful words in writing. I’ve had lots of new writers tell me they
can’t come up with ideas. The example I use to spur their imagination is this. I tell them to look
around the room at those present. That’s one story. Then I ask them what that same group
would be like in the year 1807, 1207 or 2407. There’s three more stories. Now what if those
groups were a different age, say 12 years olds? Or 87? Many more stories. Now would all
those groups be the same if they were in China? In Italy? In the Amazon rain forest? In Boston?
Many more story ideas. And we can add more. What if they were elves? Demons? (No jokes
about the 12 yr olds.) Or even aliens? As they say, get out of the box.
A professor once time told me there are no more new ideas. But there is an uncountable number
of possible combinations of old ideas. I'm not sure about the first part, but I definitely agree
with the second.
How much to write? Again ten authors would give you ten answers. Just write your story and
see how long it is. Looks like 80 to 120,000 words is what publishers consider a normal length
novel. Few authors’ first draft is the final one. Some like to go back and add. Most like to cut
out the fat and ‘I wrote that?’ Based on what I’ve heard I definitely recommend putting in too
much. When you’re editing, you can choose what to remove, leaving in the better of two ideas.
Before I start writing I make up a list of names, people and places, that’ll appear. Even add
some characteristics. As I write I’m always adding more. When they’re on page 205 few
people can remember the name of a minor character who popped in and out on page 31. The list
saves a lot of reading.
Another problem I’ve seen over the years. Remember what they taught you about outlining? No
A if there’s no B. That also goes for other things. Don’t call a bunch of slime balls cave orcs if
there are no other types of orcs in the story. Use orcs to tell the reader they’re not humans.
Have someone read the story, even before you’re finish. Even before you begin.
Another professor told me this story. He was finishing a paper to be presented to the board for
his oral exam. No mistakes were allowed. If even one he had to start all over. He read the paper
several times. Satisfied, he asked several pals to read. They said it was great. The four
members of the board each read it. Satisfied they sat him down for the four hours of hell. Later
the new doctor sat down at home to take one last look at his masterpiece before putting it away.
The first word Georgia was misspelled.
There’s only been one perfect man to walk the surface of this planet and they nailed his rear end
to a piece of dogwood. Ask for help! And thank them afterward. Writers’ clubs and
conferences are great. Try to get involved. Whether you agree with their opinions or not the
others always give you something to think about. And they are lots of material for stories! Oh,
what I could do with one writers’ group.
A few more general notes.
How do you make a character seem real? Speech patterns, habits, likes, quirks (be careful using
this), verbal descriptions.
Research!!! Even if it’s a made up world. Readers will spot when you don’t have your act
together. They’ll stop reading and probably never read another of your works.
Imagery is the picture you’re trying to paint in the reared’s mind.
Irony. Avoid. What you might think is ironic another might take offense to.
Style. Your usage of tone, mood, diction and imagery.
Tone. Every writer has their own personal attitude towards the subject being written about.
When the tone becomes the subject, you’re going to lose your audience.
Metaphor. Comparison between two items. ‘Your eyes sparkle like stars’. Spices up the work,
but be sure the reader knows what you’re comparing.
The plot of a story usually follows this path.
1.Introduction. Introduce your world, main characters and what the plot is about. Just enough to
lure the reader to the next page.
2.The body. Here’s the meat of the story. Where man travels to the lair. Where he sees the
dragon and thinks about running. Where he fights and slays the creature.
3.The conclusion. Where he rescues girl from the lair.
Heck of a nut shell. But that’s the norm. Nothing says you have to follow that. But if you don’t,
you better be careful.
Flash backs are great, but can easily be abused and misused. In LANDLIQSTA I was very
careful in those chapters where the flash back is the story.
Frank’s Notes
Over a seven month span I was fortunate to attend a weekly writers’ group headed by Frank
Green. Learnt more from him than during 20 years of English teachers. During those meetings I
took the following notes.
As soon as possible give the reason for the story - the plot. Why the reader wants to turn the
page.
DON”T REPEAT!!! Avoid using words over and over. Use different words with same
meaning. It gets boring! But be careful not to confuse the reader with too many words.
Be clear who you are writing about. Ex. 2 women are in the room. Who’s talking when? Don’t
write she said. Who is she? Remember, the reader can’t read your mind as to who you want
saying something.
Make it clear who’s speaking/thinking/doing - if the speaker/thinker/ doer is not named.
Dialogue tags - avoid - try to use dialogue to show who’s speaking. This often helps to control
the two problems above. “I don’t want to see that.” Robert turned his head.
Don’t be predictable. Keep them guessing. Again why does the reader want to turn the page?
There are a lot of things to avoid. I was surprised how much better my earlier works were when
I went back and edited out a lot of these. Avoid does not mean never use. There are times when
usage of one of these is right.
Avoid ‘it was’ his guide - instead: it guided him.
Avoid ‘because’ especially if in the mind.
Avoid lots of commas. But, however, and long list are about the only times to use them.
Not a Frank note. I read in one of the writer’s mags some advise I like. Try to write your
sentence so there are few if any commas in it (except for the three above). Once you start
thinking this way it’s easy and does make for easier reading.
$6,000 dollars = avoid repeats like this. Hate admitting this was mine.
Avoid = That was. I recommend avoiding the word THAT. Too many beginning writers use
this in every other sentence. I still have to watch myself with this one.
Avoid ‘ly’ ending words. It’s easy to use similar words. Sounds and reads better.
Avoid semi colon. Use commas if you have to.
Avoid too many scenes in too short a period. Don’t make the reader have to guess where they
are in the story. You want the story line to flow smoothly.
Avoid = Participial phase.
Avoid = get, got and etc. Sounds uneducated. See below.
Avoid = Almost, Nearly = either you do or you don’t. There are a lot of other aspects for
using this rule. Usually you want to be precise.
Avoid ‘it’ Let the reader know what it is.
Adverb clause - don’t use to start sentences.
Avoid excessive wording especially descriptions. You want some descriptions in order for the
reader to picture it in his mind. But you don’t need to pile it on.
Add a little fluff - visual imaging. But avoid padding. These two notes were taken often.
Don’t use the same title (Of person, place or thing) over and over.
Don’t use a word too often, esp 4 letter words.
If something’s not needed - remove it.
Resist the Urge to Explain!
Resist the Urge to Explain! This needs to be stressed. If it’s not needed for the story, don’t put
it in.
Now for things to do.
A story has a beginning, middle and end. Antidote only has any 2 of these.
Use the idea the story is being viewed through a video camera.
Control how the reader reads the item.
SPELLING! Double check Spell Check! Use a dictionary! Spell check won’t tell you if you
have the wrong word. And forget grammar checks.
Point Of View - focus, don’t bounce around. Stay with the same POV.
Be consistent - use only one view point = 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
1st person = I we Person is objective and usually a unreliable teller. He’s
actually a character in the story.
2nd person = you No one has given me a good explanation of this.
3rd person = He She Most stories tend to use this. The narrator is not in the story.
4th person = God see everything Subjective and reliable
teller. To me this sounds a lot like the 3th.
Use verbs that show the action. (Type of metaphor.)
Use unusual words or usual words in unusual ways. Keeps from being boring.
Use correct size - a hand pushing an asteroid would be star size, not solar system size.
Use ‘Drew said’ instead of ‘said Drew.’ This does read better. Said can be replaced by such
words as, remarked, commented, replied.
Use terms readers will know - Ex. a navy ship driver is a pilot to civilians.
Breaks - Use whenever there is a change of time, location, point of view. Simply place a # in
the middle if a line and start the new item on the next line.
#
Don’t be experimental accidentally. Control the story, don’t let it control you. VIPER was an
accident. I realized about the seventh story what was happening, liked it and kept on.
(3 spaces then a dot) . . . = Use when there is a pause in something. Such as stopping to
think while talking.
(2 spaces dash 2 spaces ) "I was - ” = Use when the speaker is interrupted.
Use the dash instead of the semi-colon.
Y’all and Ya’ll are the correct spelling. Avoid Kentucky’s You All. (Sorry Kentucky. Us deep
south boys favor ya’ll.)
Add senses - smell, touch, feel, etc. This is part of adding a little fluff to spice the story.
Women who were not heard = women not heard. The second reduces the number of words.
There are lots of other examples of this type of trimming.
Pick the right verb, right image, right metaphor. You’re painting a picture with words.
Dialogue high lights what’s not being said. In dialogue the speaker often adds something
unexpected. Use this to tell what’s happening.
Don’t say she’s bored - show she’s bored.
The boy hit the ball is the correct way. the ball was hit by the boy is not correct. The boy is
the subject.
Thought is action, use it as so.
You’ve got to bring the character to life before you can kill the character.
Each character should have an attitude
Read story out loud when you are proofing it. It does make a difference!!!!
Frank recommended these two books: Chicago Manuscript of Style. One of those big thick
books designed to put you to sleep. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers I own a copy. If you’re
not able to join a writers’ group I also recommend this. But I feel it was written more for
English majors then dumbies like me.
Not a Frank note. Today most editors are not editors, they’re deciders. They’re not going to edit
your work and smooth out the typos. You have to turn in a perfect work. You are the editor!
Today editors are busy going through 300 submissions deciding which are junk, hoping to find a
few worth looking at a second time and praying they find that next best seller.
Author unknown. Originally written for middle-schoolers. But it offers lots of good ideas for
all ages.
101 Ways to Praise
that’s incredible how extraordinary
far out outstanding performance
I can’t get over it great!
Amazing effort unbelievable work
wonderful! Marvelous
phenomenal! You’ve got it
superb! Cool!
Excellent! You’re special
your work is out of sight your project is first-rate
you’ve outdone yourself way to go
thumbs up you’re a good friend
you came through terrific
you tried hard your help counts
you made it happenit couldn’t be better fantastic work!
You’re a real trooper fabulous!
Bravo! Exceptional!
You’re unique awesome
breathtaking! The time you put in really
shows! You’re a great example for
others keep up the good work
I knew you had it in you dynamite
it’s everything I hoped for! You should be proud of
yourself what an imagination!
You make the difference well done
you’re sensational very good!
A+ work super job
good for you take a bow
you figured it out great answer
you’re doing a lot better thanks for being honest
how artistic hooray for you
you’re a joy how thoughtful of you
you’re amazing you’re getting there
what a great idea you deserve a hug
thanks for trying you’re getting better
you’re a big help you’re tops
you’ve made progress you’re neat
you’ve got what it takes you’re #1
you’re a shining star you can be trusted
WOW! Remarkable!
Beautiful I’m proud of you
very impressive you’re sharp
you’re a winner hot dog
spectacular work you’re so kind
you’ve really grown up what a great listener
thanks for helping great discovery
you’ve earned my respect thanks for caring
you’re a-okay you’re a great kid
how original you’re a champ
you’re a pleasure to know very brave
what a genius you’re very talented
you’re the greatest you’re super
you’re on target
The following was sent to me via email. Sender and original author are unknown. I’m not sure
why this was sent to me, but I’ve enjoyed it. Be sure to slowly read the complete example.
How to write good.
1. Avoid alliteration. Always.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They’re old hat.)
4. Employ the vernacular.
5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.
6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
7. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
8. Contractions aren’t necessary.
9. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.
10. One should never generalize.
11. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you
know.”
12. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.
13. Don’t be redundant, don’t use more words than necessary, it’s highly superfluous.
14. Be more or less specific.
15. Understatement is always best.
16. One-word sentences? Eliminate.
17. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.
18. The passive voice is to be avoided.
19. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialism.
20. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.
21. Who needs rhetorical questions?
22. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
I hope the above is helpful. Take your pen out and put some ink on the paper. There’s always
something to write about.
Powder Monkey
Twenty three years ago I wrote my first story. Seven years ago I decided to do something
serious with the 100 + short stories, 4 novels and two plays I had written to that point. Along
the way I’ve been able to enjoy and benefit from others’ knowledge. Since I put several of my
own works on line for sale, I seem to have become an expert. I’m not sure what an expert is
much less think I’m one. But I have realized my research during the last seven years has given
me more knowledge than most. Now I think it might be time to pass it on.
Most of what’s to follow I’ve picked up from others. As I had no plans to do anything except
keep the info in a notebook I usually trashed the author’s name. Where possible I want to and
will give credit and thanks to the writers who shared their knowledge. To those who do not
receive credit please email me and I will gladly insert your name.
serious with the 100 + short stories, 4 novels and two plays I had written to that point. Along
the way I’ve been able to enjoy and benefit from others’ knowledge. Since I put several of my
own works on line for sale, I seem to have become an expert. I’m not sure what an expert is
much less think I’m one. But I have realized my research during the last seven years has given
me more knowledge than most. Now I think it might be time to pass it on.
Most of what’s to follow I’ve picked up from others. As I had no plans to do anything except
keep the info in a notebook I usually trashed the author’s name. Where possible I want to and
will give credit and thanks to the writers who shared their knowledge. To those who do not
receive credit please email me and I will gladly insert your name.
It is the responsibility of one generation
to pass on its knowledge to the next.
to pass on its knowledge to the next.
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Editor's note: I wrote this in 2006. While the times have
changed the elements for good writing have not.
changed the elements for good writing have not.