Someone sent me a message the other day asking for tips toward becoming a better writer. I used to have a (fairly decent ) website called Written that dealt with this very issue. I thought I would post my observations and info from that website here so that if you've ever asked yourself, "How can I improve my writing?" you might find some helpful advice.
Below, you'll find tips on what I consider to be some of writings do's and don'ts. While not a comprehensive study of grammar, I've tried to hit the highlights of common mistakes in that area. I've also attempted to touch upon some tips geared toward helping writers improve their content and how they present it.
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I'm happy to try and help. So read on. I hope what you see will be helpful to you.
1.How Do I Become a Better Writer?
2.Worship at the Altar of Your English Teacher
6. Be Consistent with Spelling Characters' Names
7.Use Variety in Your Sentence Structure
8.What Did You Say? The Art of Using Quotation Marks
9. Edward Isn't Getting Down with his Homies, and Charlie isn't Supping on Tea and Crumpets
10. Plan Your Story
11. My Dog Ate My Chapter: Long vs. Short
How Do I Become a Better Writer?
Philosophically
First, consider why you're writing. Do you write because you enjoy writing and feel you have a story to tell? Or are you writing because you think that people will read your story and want to give you a pat on the back? I truly hope the first reason is applicable to you; otherwise, you're shortchanging yourself as well as your readers. Realistically
Practice.
Writing is a skill, just like painting. Yes, there's the element of talent, but so much of a story (just like a painting) is based on hard work and practice. The more you write, the better you get.
Also, don't be afraid to read. It increases your vocabulary and helps you to become accustomed to using variety in your sentence structures. If you're afraid that your stories would somehow be influenced by another writer's style or story, then read a magazine or something else that is unrelated to what you're writing.
With that said, you can't discount talent. Some people are just naturally gifted story-tellers the way some people are natural athletes. Writing for fun isn't for everyone, but you shouldn't be afraid to at least try.
Worship at the Altar of Your English Teacher
Okay, I don't want my students to literally worship me, but students should pay attention in grammar class. You might think your teacher is just talking to hear her/himself, but there's a method to the madness. See, you need those skills that are being drilled into your head.
The fact of the matter is that you might have the best idea in the world for a story, but "if da story are frot, with langage problem, noBody will wont to read it."
Translation: If the story is fraught with language problems, nobody will want to read it.
If you're out of school, you've hopefully had the opportunity through your job or other activities to put to use what that mean old teacher taught you.
If you want your story to be good, good grammar isn't optional. If you don't take the time to proofread and make your story the best that it could possibly be, why should anyone take the time to read it?
Get a Beta Reader
Beta reader? What's that?
Well, the term originated because in computer software, there are "Beta Testers." These are people who review software before it is released to the general public. They check to see what works properly with the software, as well as what improvements are needed.
Likewise, a Beta Reader will do something similar for an author. S/he will read a chapter or story before it becomes available to the general reading public and tell an author what's good about a chapter, what works, etc. Additionally, a beta reader will
tell an author what might be unclear, needs improving, and give suggestions on how to fix it
If you have a beta reader or are looking for one, your beta reader needs to be someone who understands the mechanics of grammar as well as someone who will dig into your story, rather than reading it superficially.
You don't want someone who's just going to pat you on the back without telling you what improvements could be made. Otherwise, you won't improve as a writer. Nor will your chapter/story live up to its greatest potential.
Beta readers can be an excellent resource for a writer simply because they aren't the authors of the tales you're writing. When writing, it's sometimes difficult for the author to see the forest for the trees, so to speak. A Beta reader can provide a much-needed outside perspective.
Show Me! Don't Tell Me!
History is important. Isn't that what your history teacher tells you? You can avoid the mistakes of the past if you're familiar with what happened. You can give your readers a history lesson, but you should incorporate it into the action of the story.
Instead of this:
Molly hated Theresa because she blamed Theresa for stealing her boyfriend. Theresa, in turn, never forgave Molly for crashing her wedding. In the three years they'd known each other, their relationship changed a lot. They would never be friends again. They'd always be suspicious of each other.
Try this:
Molly's blue eyes narrowed as she surveyed the young brunette whom she'd once looked upon as a dear friend. How things had changed over the last three years. "Do you have any idea of how much I hate you? It was because of your duplicitous act that my secret was discovered and I lost the man I loved."
Theresa wrung her hands as she listened to the older woman's venomous tone. "How many times do I have to tell you? I did not tell your secret! You were my friend, and I wouldn't do that to you!"
"You're disgusting. You're so pathetic you even believe your own lies."
"I'm not lying," Theresa insisted. "If you would look past your anger and hurt pride for more than three seconds, you might realize that. But what else should I expect from a woman who drove her car into the church to stop my wedding?"
Do you see the difference here? The first example is dry. As you read it, you probably felt removed from the characters.
In the second example, however, the reader is drawn into the action and privy to what the characters think and feel. It shows the action instead of merely reporting it.
Beware the Little Things
So you have a good story to tell? Double-check yourself with this handy guide to watching for the little things.
You're vs. Your
You're is a contraction (shortened form) of "you are." Your is a possessive pronoun.
Note the differences in the examples below.
You're going to get soaked if you stay outside in the rain. They're vs. Their vs. There
They're is a contraction for "they are." Their is the possessive form of they. There is a demonstrative adjective and often denotes location. (Side note: it's also a lazy way to start a sentence)
Examples:
They're happy to see the dog made it out of the burning building. Here's a personal pet-peeve of mine: misuse of "done"
Done is a past participle form of the infinitive "to do." Huh, you're saying? Well, in layman's terms, done should only be used with a helping verb.
Do this:
I have done as you asked.
Notice that have is a helping verb and done is the main verb in that sentence.
Avoid:
I done as you asked.
NOOOOO! EEEEEEK! Do you mean, "I did as you asked"?
Oh yes, and what about the dreaded personal pronouns?
I, you, he, she, it, we, and they can be used as subjects of your sentence.
Example: We plan to attend the party.
Example: Betsy and I are best friends.
NEVER use me, him, her, us, or them as subjects of your sentence. Bad Example: Betsy and them are best friends.
Need to double-check yourself? Take off the words "Betsy and" and just say the rest of the sentence. What do you have left? Them are best friends.
Would you say that? We both know the answer to that question. Of course not!
So that lets you know that the word "them" is incorrect in that case.
Be Consistent with Spelling Characters' Names
If you're going to write a story, spell the characters' names consistently. If your character's name is Theresa, be sure to write it the same way throughout.
I know that when I read stories from people who've butchered character names, I get so distracted by those mistakes, I can't effectively assess the content of the story.
Use Variety In Your Sentence Structure
The girl watched the boy. The boy gave the flower to another girl. The first girl was sad. The boy didn't notice.
Now how boring was that?
Instead of using short, choppy sentences, combine.
As the boy gave the flower to another girl, she watched. Though his actions saddened her, the boy didn't notice.
The second version is much more compelling and flows more smoothly.
What Did You Say? The Art of Using Quotation Marks
Quotation marks can be a writer's best friend or worst enemy.
Some people prefer to write in script form, i.e.
Mabel: Jim, are you going to tell Mom and Dad about the party?
Jim: What they don't know won't hurt them.
Mabel: I just don't feel right about this.
Jim: It's not as though I'm lying to them.
Mabel: Yes, you are.
Now what do you notice is missing from script form? You guessed it. Action and emotions.
I personally believe that writing in script form, while it lets one avoid the hassle of quotation marks, is a lazy writing habit. Unless you are writing a scene that is supposed to be performed, it's best to avoid script form and write in prose.
So let's get down to business with the quotation marks. These are used around the words a character is saying. Here's the above passage written with handy-dandy quotation marks.
Mabel nervously bit her lower lip as she surveyed her older brother, Jim. He'd been getting into so much trouble lately, and she hated to see what it was doing to their family. "Jim, are you going to tell Mom and Dad about the party?"
The corners of Jim's mouth rose into a self-assured smile. He lowered his voice conspiratively. "What they don't know won't hurt them."
Mabel sighed as she wrung her small, delicate hands. Her parents would never agree to Jim throwing a party in their house while they were out of town, but just moments before, her ne'er do well brother had informed her that those were his intentions. "I just don't feel right about this," she replied, her voice quivering.
Anger flashed in Jim's eyes. Leave it to Mabel to ruin everyone's fun with her goody-goody ways. "It's not as though I'm lying to them!"
"Yes, you are!" Mabel cried out, exasperated. How was she going to make him see? How could anyone make Jim see what he didn't want to see? What a very long weekend it was going to be...
How did I do that? Here are five very simple rules to help you out.
Rule 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes. If the a sentence in the quote is interrupted with information about who is doing the talking, that information should be set off with commas.
"Sam, I just don't trust Jim," Tammy lamented. Rule 2. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quote.
"Is it supposed to rain today?" asked David. Rule 3. When you have a question outside AND inside a quote, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.
Did she say, "What time is it?"
Rule 4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.
Sarah said, "She said, 'Let go now.'"
Rule 5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only.
Pilar questioned the teacher, "Will we have homework tonight?" Edward Isn't Getting Down with his Homies, and Charlie isn't Supping on Tea and Crumpets
Dialogue is ultra-important. In a story, this is your opportunity to capture the "voice" of a character. With writing original characters, you, as the author, get to set the standard of behavior and choose how a character will speak.
For example, in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, you'll never find Charlie (Bella's father) "preparing to partake of scrumptious tartlets." Nor will Edward say, "Yeah. Dat's fine wit me."
Read your dialogue and ask yourself, "Is this something the character would say?"
Plan Your Story
We all gripe and complain when we're reading a story, and the writer seems to change direction mid-stream.
You know you don't like it, so why would you want to jerk your readers around like that?
When I'm writing a story, what I usually do is write a skeleton version. I list various plot points that I want to address and the order in which I want them to happen. This helps to keep me focused, but also affords me the luxury of spontaneity in my chapters, as well.
A clear plot is important.
If your story is so muddled that no one can figure out what it's about or what's going on, then why should they bother to read it?
My Dog Ate My Chapter - short vs. long
Lots of words does not quality make.
Just because you have a long chapter or story, that doesn't mean you have a masterpiece.
Authors of longer pieces of literature run the risk of redundant repetitions (pun intended) when their stories become excessively long. With an increase in repetition comes a decrease in reader interest.
Be careful!
On the other hand, have you ever looked at someone's story and thought to yourself, "Where's the rest of it?" I know I have.
A chapter, by definition, is a significant portion of a story or a sub-section. Therefore, your chapters should consist of more than a few paragraphs, and you should be at a different point in the story when you finish a chapter than when you started it.
Basically, when you're writing, say what needs to be said and show what needs to be shown to further the plot and development of your characters.
Your dinner is ready.
Did you read their report last night?
Over there is the stack of papers that needs to be filed.
Most people don't do that when using a single subject, but things get more complicated when you're writing and using a compound subject.
Sam," lamented Tammy, "I just don't trust Jim."
"Sam, I just don't trust Jim."
Did you just say, "You're a meaniehead"?
Pilar asked whether she would have homework.