Here
are some writing tips PINAWOR members find helpful:
- Correct spelling,
punctuation and grammar are essential.
- Include sentences
of varying length to maintain reader interest.
- Omit all
unnecessary words. If something doesn't pull the reader into the
story, you don't need it.
- Don't repeat
words in close succession - find another way to say the same thing.
- Stay in a
specific Point of View - it's easy to skip around without even
noticing it.
- Write what
you know.
- Reading your
work aloud to yourself can help you find problems you may miss
otherwise.
- Research
is vital to ensure that even the small points in your work are
accurate. When readers see one mistake (i.e. Franklin Roosevelt
was President in 1904), you lose their confidence and they'll
stop reading.
- First write
just to get the ideas down, ignoring grammar and spelling, then
go back and edit.
- Edit, revise
and edit again.
- Some writers
begin with an outline, knowing exactly where their manuscript
will end. Others just start writing and see where the story leads.
Both are valid methods to use so pick what works best for you.
- Show, don't
tell - i.e. write, "Tears brimmed in David's eyes."
rather than "David was sad."
- Try to avoid
adverbs - "ly" words.
- Avoid cliches
- make up your own way of saying the same thing. Instead of "happy
as a clam" use "happy as a writer with her first acceptance
letter ".
- Make it clear
who is speaking. Use tag lines, "he said", "she
said" sparingly, when needed. The voice of the characters
should be unique so that just the language will let the reader
know who is speaking.
- Share your
work with friends who will be honest about their opinions - you
KNOW your mother will love it so give it also to Aunt Jenny who
will be more objective.
- Take others'
comments for what they are, just suggestions. You are the author
and have the final say. Just because someone else thinks you should
kill off a character doesn't necessarily mean they are right.
- Learn how
to write a good solid outline, synopsis and query letter.
- Read material
similar to your writing, magazine articles, poetry, novels, fantasy,
true crime, etc.
- Learn to
take critiques and rejection letters in stride. All writers are
very familiar with them.
- Spend time
with other writers for encouragement and support - everyone needs
those! And it's really helpful to bounce ideas off of other writers.
Formal writing groups like PINAWOR can be an invaluable source
of help because of the variety of experience of the members. For
example, PINAWOR includes teachers, lawyers, police officers,
doctors, business professionals, artists and a variety of other
professions. Some were reared in other countries and all have
unique perspectives to share.
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