Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2017 0:28:34 GMT -5
Since NaNo is upon us, I thought it would be nice to share some writer articles and stuff we find helpful for ourselves or think others might find helpful to writing! I am a panster, so this doesn't apply to me at all, but for you outliners out there, if you haven't seen this already, check it out!
The Snowflake Method
I'll probably edit my post here with some other stuff as I find it. I'm not participating in NaNo this year, but I am in the process of trying to write a novel after a long period of not so I'm doing a bit of research to try and help myself stay on track a bit~
Currently reading some blogs of accomplished, published authors.
21 rules of ferocious self-editing:
1. Develop a thick skin.
2. Avoid throat-clearing.
3. Choose the normal word over the obtuse.
4. Omit needless words.
5. Avoid subtle redundancies, like: “She nodded her head in agreement.” Those last four words could be deleted.
6. Avoid the words up and down—unless they’re really needed.
7. Usually delete the word that. Use it only for clarity.
8. Give the reader credit. Once you’ve established something, you don’t need to repeat it.
9. Avoid telling what’s not happening.
10. Avoid being an adjectival maniac.
11. Avoid hedging verbs like smiled slightly, almost laughed, frowned a bit, etc.
12. Avoid the term literally—when you mean figuratively.
13. Avoid too much stage direction.
14. Maintain a single point of view (POV) for every scene.
15. Avoid clichés, and not just words and phrases, but situations.
16. Resist the urge to explain (RUE).
17. Show, don’t tell.
18. People say things; they don’t wheeze, gasp, sigh, laugh, grunt, or retort them.
19. Specifics add the ring of truth, even to fiction.
20. Avoid similar character names. In fact, avoid even the same first initials.
21. Avoid mannerisms of punctuation, typestyles, and sizes.
The Snowflake Method
I'll probably edit my post here with some other stuff as I find it. I'm not participating in NaNo this year, but I am in the process of trying to write a novel after a long period of not so I'm doing a bit of research to try and help myself stay on track a bit~
Currently reading some blogs of accomplished, published authors.
21 rules of ferocious self-editing:
1. Develop a thick skin.
2. Avoid throat-clearing.
3. Choose the normal word over the obtuse.
4. Omit needless words.
5. Avoid subtle redundancies, like: “She nodded her head in agreement.” Those last four words could be deleted.
6. Avoid the words up and down—unless they’re really needed.
7. Usually delete the word that. Use it only for clarity.
8. Give the reader credit. Once you’ve established something, you don’t need to repeat it.
9. Avoid telling what’s not happening.
10. Avoid being an adjectival maniac.
11. Avoid hedging verbs like smiled slightly, almost laughed, frowned a bit, etc.
12. Avoid the term literally—when you mean figuratively.
13. Avoid too much stage direction.
14. Maintain a single point of view (POV) for every scene.
15. Avoid clichés, and not just words and phrases, but situations.
16. Resist the urge to explain (RUE).
17. Show, don’t tell.
18. People say things; they don’t wheeze, gasp, sigh, laugh, grunt, or retort them.
19. Specifics add the ring of truth, even to fiction.
20. Avoid similar character names. In fact, avoid even the same first initials.
21. Avoid mannerisms of punctuation, typestyles, and sizes.