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: Writing Tips
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.
As a Writer it is Important to Read
There is more to writing than just setting down words on paper. You have to learn the craft and writing techniques that will make your book appeal to readers. Reading is a good way of developing your writing skills.
Read books in the genre you choose to write in. Look at the techniques the writers use. Research best selling books in your genre. This will give you an insight into the type of stories readers are interested in reading.
The more you read, the more you learn about what makes a great book great. Most successful writers, are readers, themselves. Develop the habit of reading. 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.
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.
Writing Tips
- Be disciplined in your writing. What this means is that you have to make time for writing. Write until writing becomes a habit.
- Connect with other writers. Two popular mediums are Goodreads and Facebook writing groups. I have found Facebook writing groups to be a good place to connect with other writers and get feed back. Both Facebook and Goodreads provide opportunities for you to get Beta readers for your book
- Write, read and rewrite if necessary. To create a good book takes patience and dedication to your work. Revision is your best friend. You will find yourself doing a lot of it. After all you want your book to be a masterpiece that everyone wants to read. Good luck and happy writing.
Tips for Self-published Authors
More and more people are taking the plunge into the world of writing. Many no longer wait, hoping a publisher will give them a chance and have taken the bold move to self-publish. However, because you are self-publishing that does not mean the quality of your work should not be on par with traditionally published authors.
Here are a few tips as you embark on your journey to self-publishing.
- Do not become disillusioned if your first book does not amass the number of readers you envisioned. It takes time, effort and a lot of patience to make it as a writer so not despair.
- Keep writing even if that first book did not get a lot of sales. The more books you have, the more the potential to get readers who might want to purchase.
- Get feedback on your writing. Remember the main goal in writing is to create something that others will want to read. There is no point in writing if no one is reading it. Getting feedback is important. You get the chance to find out what others think about your work. The feedback you get can help you decide whether to continue in the same tone you are writing or if you need to make changes. Good luck and happy writing.
Author Marva Seaton 
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