My best tips and errors in writing
For me, the best way to give tips is to give an example of them. Here is a passage and if you wish, you can look for the errors in it.
“I like cheerios!” Exert declared. He grabbed a big box of them from the fridge and emptied them in his mouth. His brother watched him with disinterest.
“You do?” he asked casually, his mouth wide open as big as a light bulb. The mouth he was using to eat a whole peach with. His brother chomped hard on the peach, creating a loud, unpleasant fingers-on-a-chalkboard sound.
A big, now slimy peach.
Description and pacing
The first I thing I notice is the lack of description. Or, more specifically, the uneven description. You sort of rush through ” ‘I like cheerios’ Exert declared. He grabbed a big box of them from the fridge and emptied them in his mouth.” And then the reader slows down with the next sentence. This is because of the sudden increase of description.
Now, this pacing wouldn’t be a problem if the scene were hugely dramatic and the author meant it to be this way. For example, you could say, “the second felts slow and slower”. Then, immediately, the way you read the text slows down. That would be a cool effect — but in this case, it is not because the scene is just Exert and his brother eating food, which isn’t dramatic.
Also, I would remove of the mouth twice, so quickly. I like putting the same words apart, just break it enough so the reader doesn’t notice. It’s a distraction and you want the reader to be immersed in the book, not remarking on certain things in your book.
And now… Drum roll, please… For my best tips!
- Read a good book, write a good book. This is very true, as I mentioned in the Home page.
- Get an image for inspiration. This works well, even if the image doesn't fit your scene.
- Don't copy words. What I mean is that a book may be better if you don't have a hundred of the same words. (Not including the, and etc)
- Use powerful words or word combinations. Example: urge or powerful surge of force
- Imagine the scene. You don't want your character doing something impossible.
Here’s another important tip: inspiration can come in many forms, not just images. Inspiration could even be copy and pasting your own book and thinking from there!
For my final tip, I think creating a list of your favorite words is always a good idea. This may sound like a small, unhelpful tip, but creating a list of words is always excellent inspiration to propel your writing forward. To see my own example, click the button below.