Post by Admin on Jun 25, 2016 19:54:30 GMT
I'm going to list what makes good writing. Use this knowledge to proofread your own material.
Now, what I will list is not your storytelling and not your grammar. Additionally, this is not even about good RP'ing, this is about writing itself. If you want to become a publish author or improve your writing then continue reading.
Pay attention to your paragraph length .
Use little adverbs as possible.
Do not use a passive voice.
Generic descriptions, avoid these.
Clichés, avoid these. Have you ever read something and you find a phrase being used before? It becomes unoriginal and boring.
Stop using filler words. They’re words that add nothing but make the sentence longer for no real purpose. They only slow your reader down and make people skim over your work. Because they grew bored over skimming, they might skim over important details. For all that is good, stop using them!
Now, what I will list is not your storytelling and not your grammar. Additionally, this is not even about good RP'ing, this is about writing itself. If you want to become a publish author or improve your writing then continue reading.
Pay attention to your paragraph length .
Traditional rules do not apply to fiction or RP'ing.
Each paragraph should contain between three and five sentences.
Paragraphs should contain a topic sentence followed by supporting or detail sentences.
This is cool for high school English paper, but following this guideline will destroy the pace of your novel, RP or whatever you're writing. Your paragraphs should move your reader from one idea to the next without losing pace or your momentum. For example, if you’re doing action, chasing or something excitement! Do short and burst sentences. If you got back story or description, they may be longer and more detailed.
Remember, this one way to keep your readers interested and accurately portray the momentum.
Each paragraph should contain between three and five sentences.
Paragraphs should contain a topic sentence followed by supporting or detail sentences.
This is cool for high school English paper, but following this guideline will destroy the pace of your novel, RP or whatever you're writing. Your paragraphs should move your reader from one idea to the next without losing pace or your momentum. For example, if you’re doing action, chasing or something excitement! Do short and burst sentences. If you got back story or description, they may be longer and more detailed.
Remember, this one way to keep your readers interested and accurately portray the momentum.
Use little adverbs as possible.
They can make your writing boring and weak. Often, you can more powerful verbs instead. Don’t use adverbs in dialogue tags either. It’s a sign of an inexperienced writer.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” he shouted angrily.
Get that shit out of here! First, his words are angry, and the dialogue tag says he’s shouting. If you must have them, you need to rewrite it.
Most agents and editors hate adverbs. They will think you couldn’t come up with a good verb to use and think you’re inexperience at writing. That is not an impression you want to give them.
Now with that said, you need not destroy every adverb you can find in your writing. You shouldn’t use them often and when you do, make it important. Your adverbs should express how important something is.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” he shouted angrily.
Get that shit out of here! First, his words are angry, and the dialogue tag says he’s shouting. If you must have them, you need to rewrite it.
Most agents and editors hate adverbs. They will think you couldn’t come up with a good verb to use and think you’re inexperience at writing. That is not an impression you want to give them.
Now with that said, you need not destroy every adverb you can find in your writing. You shouldn’t use them often and when you do, make it important. Your adverbs should express how important something is.
Do not use a passive voice.
A passive voice can make things confusing on who using the action.
Look, we all remember 9th grade where I teacher told us about active and passive voice. While passive is not incorrect per say but if you’re wanting your writing to look professional, use an active voice.
We often use passive voice when we’re lazy or got into a bad habit. The reader feels like you got lazy, as do publishers and agents. You need to take your time in your writing and make sure you have it clear on who is doing the action.
Rules are meant to be broken, like buildings…OR PEOPLE! Passive voice can be used correctly if done right. If you want to emphasize the object of the sentence instead of the subject, then use a passive voice.
Let me use an example:
-The priceless vase was stolen.
Another example of passive voice:
- Fifty signatures were needed to get the stop sign installed.
Passive voice can be used in other ways too, like someone trying to dodge responsibility: “Mistakes were made,” Senator Collins said in his speech to the angry voters.
In fiction, passive voice is looked down upon. It can be clunky, confusing or unclear to the reader. Try to stick an active voice.
Look, we all remember 9th grade where I teacher told us about active and passive voice. While passive is not incorrect per say but if you’re wanting your writing to look professional, use an active voice.
We often use passive voice when we’re lazy or got into a bad habit. The reader feels like you got lazy, as do publishers and agents. You need to take your time in your writing and make sure you have it clear on who is doing the action.
Rules are meant to be broken, like buildings…OR PEOPLE! Passive voice can be used correctly if done right. If you want to emphasize the object of the sentence instead of the subject, then use a passive voice.
Let me use an example:
-The priceless vase was stolen.
Another example of passive voice:
- Fifty signatures were needed to get the stop sign installed.
Passive voice can be used in other ways too, like someone trying to dodge responsibility: “Mistakes were made,” Senator Collins said in his speech to the angry voters.
In fiction, passive voice is looked down upon. It can be clunky, confusing or unclear to the reader. Try to stick an active voice.
Generic descriptions, avoid these.
They’re words that are fuzzy and ambiguous.
They’re also known as abstract words. Descriptions that make it hard for your readers to see the scene. They tell words when you need to show. Let use a quick example, shall we?
“The attic was crowded with old furniture.”
Sure, the reader could picture old furniture in a dusty attic. However, it can be improved on.
“An old rocking chair stood in the corner, next to an abandoned wooden cradle and an end table with a deep scratch across the surface.”
Do you see the difference? By adding specifics, it becomes more vivid and you can picture it better.
(will go in more depth at a later time)
They’re also known as abstract words. Descriptions that make it hard for your readers to see the scene. They tell words when you need to show. Let use a quick example, shall we?
“The attic was crowded with old furniture.”
Sure, the reader could picture old furniture in a dusty attic. However, it can be improved on.
“An old rocking chair stood in the corner, next to an abandoned wooden cradle and an end table with a deep scratch across the surface.”
Do you see the difference? By adding specifics, it becomes more vivid and you can picture it better.
(will go in more depth at a later time)
Clichés, avoid these. Have you ever read something and you find a phrase being used before? It becomes unoriginal and boring.
Stop using filler words. They’re words that add nothing but make the sentence longer for no real purpose. They only slow your reader down and make people skim over your work. Because they grew bored over skimming, they might skim over important details. For all that is good, stop using them!