Remember folks, writing is
storytelling. Master the art of storytelling and all other areas of improvement
will seem miniscule. But, here are some more tips anyways!:
"A long time ago, [contemporary science fiction writer]
Robert Heinlein wrote down the secret of becoming a professional writer: (1) You
must write. (2) You must finish what you write. (3) You must not
endlessly rewrite. Finish it, then send it to someone who can buy it: not to
friends, not to relatives, not to other writers in hopes of getting advice, but
to editors who buy words. Don’t rewrite unless someone who can buy it tells
you to. (4) Go back to step one, and keep going until [you are] successful. This
works."
-From "Modern Letters," by
Jerry Pournelle & Alex Pournelle, in Internet World, February 1996,
page 102.
Have fun.
If you have fun writing it, someone will have fun reading it.
One chapter, one point.
- Don't
squeeze too much into each chapter and if you have more to say, just write
another chapter.
Choose your headings carefully.
Make the choices represent an important turn of events.Specific
headings are more interesting than general ones. "Marvin Becomes a
Cat" is better than "Mark Decides He Needs A Change."
Know your audience!
Are you aware of the information your audience is looking for?
What is your desired result? Is your purpose to inform, persuade, perhaps
close a deal?
What is the age, income level, level of education, and job experience of
your readers?
How familiar are your readers on the topic you’re writing about? Can you
assume they already know ‘terms of the trade’ you use in your writing, or
should you define them?
Common Grammar Problems
Missing Comma in a Compound Sentence, or in a Series
Use of the Wrong Word
Missing or Misplaced Possessive Apostrophe
Sentence Fragments, or Run-On Sentences
Incorrect Voice and Verb Tense
Lack of Agreement Between Subject and Verb
Dangling Modifiers
Its/It’s Confusion
10 General tips to improve your writing:
Does my opening catch a person’s attention?
Is my narrative clear and to the point?
Is the material presented in a logical manner?
Does my writing have a clear beginning, middle and end?
Is it easy for a listener or reader to follow along?
Have I put myself in my listener’s or reader’s place?
Have I made my story interesting enough to make people want to read
all the way through?
Is my main point or "moral" to the story obvious?
Does my conclusion satisfy readers, rather than leave them hanging?
Would people who have heard the story be likely to want to retell it to
others?
