Should you write the way you speak? The answer to this varies depending on who you ask. Effective communication is an important part of writing. The reader must be able to understand what you are saying. Not everyone use proper grammar when speaking. This is usually not acceptable in writing. However it is also important not to have writing that comes off too formal or stiff. Don’t fill your writing with a lot of complex words when simpler words could convey the same message. A few is fine but don’t over do it. Your reader wants to keep turning the pages, not constantly consulting a dictionary to understand what you are saying. Good luck and happy writing.
Tag: Authors
The Use of Comma and Full Stop in Dialogue
Where you put the comma or full stop is important because it can change the meaning of a sentence. It does not happen often but I have come across writings where improper punctuation is used when writing dialogue, and full stop is used where a comma should be. Below are some examples.
- “I will have a soda with my sandwich.” Said Jane. If you notice the first sentence ends at sandwich. What follows is an incomplete sentence. The correct punctuation should be, “I will have a soda with my sandwich,” said Jane.
- “Wait, I am coming.” Natalie said, as she hurried towards me. In this case the first sentence ends at coming, and what follows is an incomplete sentence. The correct punctuation should be, “Wait, I am coming,” Natalie said, as she hurried towards me.
Always read through what you have written to ensure you have complete sentences. Good luck and happy writing.
Imagery in Writing
It is important to write in a way that readers can visualize what you are writing about. Write about what you see, hear, smell, taste and feel. These imagery create a vivid picture that makes the reader get caught up in the story. For example if you are writing a hospital scene you could describe the smell of disinfectant in the air, doctors and nurses busily attending to patients, or rushing to a particular room as a code blue alert sounds on the intercom. Long, spotless corridors, porters transporting patients on stretchers… create that hospital scene. Keep your stories alive with the use of imagery. Good luck and happy writing.
The importance of Grammar in Writing
Good grammar is the foundation of any written work, whether it is a book, an essay, a newspaper article, poetry… and the list goes on. Grammar helps the reader to understand what you are trying to say. It is is important to ensure of effective communication. Improper grammar can throw the reader off.
It is important to pay attention to the sentence structure. Your subject and verb should match. Pay attention to your commas, a misplaced comma can change the entire meaning of a sentence. Look at these two sentences for example: “Jane, said Tommy, is smart” and “Jane said Tommy is smart.” The use of the comma determines who is smart. Good luck and happy writing.
Your Story is What Holds the Readers Attention
You might have a great book cover. You may have written a good blurb. But it is the story that makes the reader want to keep turning the pages. Readers love a story that is believable. They love a story they can relate. It is therefore important to write a story that will resonate with your readers. Good luck and happy writing.
Write Erase Rewrite
Choosing Which Tense to Write in
One of errors writers sometimes make is switching back and forth between tense. You must decide whether you will write in the present tense or past tense and stick to one. Past tense is the most widely used. However, some authors prefer to write in present tense. When in doubt, write in the tense you are more comfortable writing in. Good luck and happy writing.
Proofread your Book
Proofreading is the last aspect of the writing process before your book gets in the hands of readers. Proofing is necessary no matter what you intend to publish. It is a painstaking process where the text is scrutinized to find errors. Every aspect of the book must undergo this process. This include the cover. No matter how great your story is, your readers will get turned off if your book is riddled with errors. It is always a good idea to have someone proofread your book. A pair of fresh eyes will often catch the errors you missed. Good luck and happy writing.
Write a Good Blurb
Perhaps you have written a great book, but like me you struggle with writing a good blurb that will catch the eyes of readers. This is something that you have to work on. Some people believe the focus should be on the cover and while the cover can draw the attention of readers, it is the blurb that usually gets my attention and help me decide whether I want to read the book. Practice writing a good blurb. Good luck and happy writing.
Author Marva Seaton 
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