Home Page. (More) tips for writing well (Austin Govella at Thinking and Making) Published Wed, Jul 8, 2009 by Austin Govella.
Updated Wed, Jul 8, 2009. As an editor, I’ve noticed several recurring bad habits you heathens would do well to disabuse yourselves of immediately. Almost without exception, these bad habits instantiate themselves as a series of stock phrases and constructions that reflect a lack of focus, a lack of fully developed argument, or the kind of intellectual laziness that sets in as you slog through your first draft. These things happen, That’s ok. Editing helps you save yourselves from these offenses before your thoughts hit the world and everyone knows your dirty secrets. but you can edit yourself, and you should. 16 things to check when you edit Be vicious when you edit. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
After you edit… The finished piece should be so tight, terse, concise, and clear that it’s boring. Boring. Then sand off the rough edges. Write like you talk. B-Rhymes - The Rhyme and Slant Rhyme Dictionary. Writerisms and other Sins: A Writer’s Shortcut to Stronger Writing. Fiction Writing: What Makes Readers Care About Your Characters? “Really scary books succeed because we come to know and care about the characters.
I like to say, “It’s the PEOPLE, stupid” — NOT the monsters!” - Stephen King What makes readers care about your characters? What makes them hate with a passion or fall in love? What keeps them reading? Recognition When you see yourself or someone familiar to you in a character concept, the connection is instantaneous. The situations that your characters experience and the actions they take achieve that bond. Some experiences are universal. Or, maybe the situation is even closer to home.
Recognition often creates a bond you can’t find anywhere else. You take these characters into your heart – and they never leave. Personality A character’s personality often seals a bond by making us relate as kindred spirits or by encouraging our smiles. For example, I enjoy witty, charming personalities. Other characters often have two faces that help endear them. Humanity Enrichment Nobody’s perfect. Pain Don’t hold back. Read These Seven Books, and You’ll be a Better Writer.
Donald Miller I used to play golf but I wasn’t very good.
I rented a DVD, though, that taught me a better way to swing, and after watching it a few times and spending an hour or so practicing, I knocked ten strokes off my game. I can’t believe how much time I wasted when a simple DVD saved me years of frustration. I’d say something similar is true in my writing career. If you read these books, your writing will improve to the point people who read your work will begin to comment on how well you write. . • The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: This book is aimed at writers, but it’s also applicable to anybody who does creative work. Pressfield leaves out all the mushy romantic talk about the writing life, talk I don’t find helpful. . • On Writing Well by William Zinsser: Zinsser may be the best practical writing coach out there. . • Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: Before becoming a literary superstar, Anne Lamott taught writing, and Bird by Bird is the best of her advice, broken up into chapters.