Even though I've
studied writing in in school, at conferences, and in books, there are several
tips I've only picked up on Twitter. These are from agents, other writers,
etc, but all through Twitter. I'd like to share some, just in case you
have also been denied this knowledge.
1. Adjectives
and adverbs are considered deadly.
I'd always thought of these as friends--something to help get my
description or expression across, but some agents and editors feel this is the
kiss of death. Avoid them like the plague. There's still a place for them, of
course, but they shouldn't be overused. It's also possible that some in the
writing world have gone too far in the other direction--condemning adverbs and
adjectives every time they rear their little heads--but there needs to be a
balance. I'm still working on mine, so please don't point them out to me.
2. Filter words are the enemy.
In all the years I've
studied writing, I only heard of these recently. What are filter
words? They are excess verbs which take the reader through
character actions before what is going on at the moment is revealed.
For example: She felt
the cold penetrate her coat.
"Felt" is the filter word. You have to go through it
to get to the cold penetrating her coat. It's better to simply state what is
happening: The cold penetrated her coat.
Another example is: Mindy realized he was the thief. Instead,
write: He was the thief!
3. Don't use "it" so much.
I believe most of us know
"it" isn't exactly at the top of our word charts, but we need to
strive to eliminate it when it's not necessary. (Yes, "it" was
necessary in that sentence.) This might take some effort, but we can rearrange
our phrases in order to avoid that detestable word.
Example: What if he doesn't make it? could be, What if he
doesn't get there?
4.
Don't wonder, think, or realize.
Another revelation for me. I believed that by showing my main
character's thoughts, I was helping the reader to get inside her head and live
the story more as it happened. Not so. It's more acceptable to state the
protagonist's thoughts and feelings by writing, What if he didn't care? rather
than, What if he doesn't care? she thought.
5. Never express anyone's feelings except those of the POV
character.
I'd always known better than to show the thoughts of a character unless the story is told from his/her point of view, but I didn't realize until recently that I'm not allowed to express how a group or an individual might feel. This is "head-hopping" to some, and I've had to make changes in some of my manuscripts.
Like some of the others, this one took a little more practice on my part, but I "think" I'm getting the hang of "it."
Dale writes articles, poetry, and fiction for all ages. She lives with her husband, Rick, and two Siamese cats, Mocha and Choco.
Dale Sitton Rogers
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Writing Tips Picked Up On Twitter
2 Comments
Great advice, Dale! Your novels are stories I always want to read (I bug you for them, too- lol) The knowledge and experience you've shared, and your own interest in learning more is what makes you such a talented writer!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Karen! I'm happy for you to read anything I've written, and I appreciate your interest. I've learned so much from you and your work.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.
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