Resource For Writers
click
here
Suggested Reading:
The
Pen Commandments
~ Steven Frank
100
Things Every Writer Needs To Know
~ Scott Edeletein
Bird
By Bird
~ Anne Lamott
When
Bad Grammar Happens To Good People
~ Ann Batko
Oxford
Essential Guide To Writing
~ Oxford University Press
Writing
Down The Bones
~ Natalie Goldberg
Quotes
If you wait for
inspiration, you're not a writer, but a waiter.
~ Anonymous
If you think that something small cannot make a
difference, try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room.
~ Anonymous
The task of a writer consists in being able to
make something out of an idea.
~ Thomas
Mann
It's better to write about things you feel than
about things you know about.
~ L. P.
Hartley
Have something to say, and say it as clearly as
you can. That is the only secret.
~ Matthew
Arnold
It took me fifteen years
to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up
because by that time I was too famous.
~ Robert
Benchley
The beautiful part of
writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike,
say, a brain surgeon.
~ Robert
Cromier
I like to write when I
feel spiteful; it's like having a good sneeze.
~ D. H.
Lawrence
Empowering Writers To Self-Publish™
Writing Tips
Show – Don’t Tell
Be descriptive and vivid with the words you choose. Instead of simply writing, ‘the room was well decorated’, write something like, ‘Flickering candles surrounded the room while an abundance of fabrics enclosed her bed, dividing it from the rest of the living space. The coffee table was set for tea, with brownies carefully placed on fine china that beckoned for someone to share them with her. Antique photos in ornate frames rested on Duncan Phyfe end tables. And beautiful tapestry pillows adorned the couch.
Be Specific
‘The store down the street’, should become, ‘the nickel and dime store at the end of our street’.
Avoid clichés
Clichés such as ‘soon the hints started dropping like flies’, are tiresome and unoriginal. This phrase should be changed to become more unique such as, ‘soon the hints started dropping like cash at a yard sale’. Be original. When you find yourself starting to use the same old tired cliché, change it!
Don’t Use More Words Than Necessary
Keeping sentences tight is a necessary part of writing. Sentences such as, ‘She ran across the yard quickly’. Should be reduced to, ‘She dashed across the yard’. Combining the two words ‘ran quickly’ into a more descriptive word such as ‘dashed’, allows the sentence to flow better.
Avoid Vague Words Such as ‘As’
Instead of saying ‘as we kissed…’ a more specific sentence would read ‘with every second that his lips touched mine…’
Play With Words By Using a Play on Words
I was exercising in order to gain self-esteem and she was exercising in order to let off some steam.
Carry a Pen and Paper
It is wise to keep a pen handy at all times, you never know when something may inspire you.
Never Expect Perfection
Most writers do not bat a thousand with every story they write. Expect to produce good work most of the time, but definitely not all of the time.
Believe in Yourself
Many writers have an ongoing paranoia that they have just written their last good story. It is the one who perseveres that realizes their writing only gets better.
Ignore The First Draft
The first draft is often the worst draft, but come back to it later and you may uncover a masterpiece.
Three Is The Magical Number
Three is the magical number in writing, specifically when listing items within a sentence. ‘As a housewife and mother I wear many hats, not least of which are Nurse, Ground Traffic Controller and personal shopper.’
Avoid A Passive Voice
Instead of saying "In my opinion, women have a difficult time advancing in the workforce..." An aggressive voice would read "women have a difficult time advancing in the workforce". An experienced writer makes definite statements, while the inexperienced writer will often begin sentences with phrases such as "in my opinion" or "it seems that".
Read! Read! Read!
In order to become a good writer, you must first become an avid reader.
Write! Write! Write!
As with any sport, practice makes perfect. When you sit down to write, tune out distractions and keep clicking those keys. Some writers take a notebook to a park or a busy restaurant for their inspiration.
Be A Writer, Not An Editor
It is wise to learn basic grammar, but to also remember that a writer is not an editor.
Read
Aloud
When revising a draft, read it out loud. The ears will catch things that
the eyes have missed.
Writer's Block - Don't Panic!
Writer's block is often due to stress, lack of sleep, or poor eating
habits. You should try resolving these issues first then institute a
change of pace such as exercising, joining a club or socializing.
Empowering Writers To Self-Publish™
Copyright ©
2008 by Art Bookbindery
Writing Tips