Sunday, November 14, 2010
SHORT STORY WRITING CONTEST Ends Nov. 20, 2010
(See link at bottom for writing contest.)
REWRITING and POLISHING
As part of the re-write and polishing phase, read what you've written aloud. This will help you spot the sections that drag or sound choppy. Pay attention to the rhythm of your sentences. If there are too many short sentences or too many long ones, break them up or lengthen them so they vary in tempo. Don’t put your readers to sleep.
Remember that editors are experts at spotting multiple adjectives and adverbs. They scan the nouns and verbs and see how many modifies are attached to them. Commas that separate the modifiers are a dead giveaway. Multiple adjectives like “dark, cloudy, stormy, moonless night” is a sure sign of a beginning writer, and it's sure to put your manuscript in the deep-six pile.
It pays to focus your attention on the rewrite and polishing phase of your story/article. If you can impress the editors, you will impress the readers. If rewriting/polishing is your least favorite part of writing, rethink your commitment to be a writer.
Study hardest that which you dread most and when you master it, you will no longer dread it.
Be sure to join our AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION, which ends Nov. 20, 2010. CASH PRIZE. NO FEES. What do you have to lose? Test your skills. Check http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com for guidelines. You may also sign up for The Writer's Choice Newsletter at the same link. For more free writing tips, see http://www.deborahowen.wordpress.com and http://www.writingtip.wordpress.com.
REWRITING and POLISHING
As part of the re-write and polishing phase, read what you've written aloud. This will help you spot the sections that drag or sound choppy. Pay attention to the rhythm of your sentences. If there are too many short sentences or too many long ones, break them up or lengthen them so they vary in tempo. Don’t put your readers to sleep.
Remember that editors are experts at spotting multiple adjectives and adverbs. They scan the nouns and verbs and see how many modifies are attached to them. Commas that separate the modifiers are a dead giveaway. Multiple adjectives like “dark, cloudy, stormy, moonless night” is a sure sign of a beginning writer, and it's sure to put your manuscript in the deep-six pile.
It pays to focus your attention on the rewrite and polishing phase of your story/article. If you can impress the editors, you will impress the readers. If rewriting/polishing is your least favorite part of writing, rethink your commitment to be a writer.
Study hardest that which you dread most and when you master it, you will no longer dread it.
Be sure to join our AMATEUR WRITING COMPETITION, which ends Nov. 20, 2010. CASH PRIZE. NO FEES. What do you have to lose? Test your skills. Check http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com for guidelines. You may also sign up for The Writer's Choice Newsletter at the same link. For more free writing tips, see http://www.deborahowen.wordpress.com and http://www.writingtip.wordpress.com.
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