Another writing post

[jaebility]

Found another helpful list of tips for writers! This one's Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See (But Can Easily Fix When They Do) by Pat Holt. Holt gives detailed explanations for each of these sins; I'm just going to list them. The article's really interesting - Definitely Check it out.

1. Repeats
2. Flat writing
3. Empty adverbs (Oh man, I am definitely guilty of this one)
4. Phony dialogue
5. No-good suffixes
6. The "to be" words
7. Lists
8. Show, don't tell
9. Awkward phrasing
10. Commas

When I started writing in Yuffie's voice, I threw in a crapload of adverbs, since (in my interpretation of her) one of her habits is to exaggerate. Around that time I started to re-re-write "Fine Art," deliberately creating a new voice for Daisuke, and since they share some personality traits, I started using adverbs in his speech, too. Aaaand I was also writing in Rikku's POV, and she's a lot like Yuffie, so...

And now I can't stop! I use "actually" and "definitely" too often. Must attempt to curtail the habit.

Comments

[adalger]

404 Not Found :(

[nan]

Just take the " off the end of the url. :)

[jaebility]

Sorry about that! Should be fixed now.

[nan]

I actually definitely use empty adverbs too much. ALL. THE. TIME.

[jaebility]

I had to delete so many freakin' adverbs from that post. It's like a disease!

Writing post - Pat Holt

[baggyeyes]

That's a very good article. Again, it reminds me of Stephen King's On Writing. I have The Elements of Style, a very thin little book. You'd have thought BY NOW I would have read the darn thing.

Interesting entries you've been making. Keep it up.


Oh, and...when am I going to see a story of your at 310toyuma? It's dyin'!

Re: Writing post - Pat Holt

[jaebility]

(OMG your icon! I can't look away!)

I love reading tips - Makes me feel like I've already accomplished something.

I'm actually working on something for porn_battle. And speaking of which, have you been reading pegunicent's stories over there? They're incredible! Gahhhh I'm so jealous of you and him/her.

[kashiichan.livejournal.com]

You have an additional " in your URL that is making it not work, just so you know.

[verdictlesslife.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Think it's fixed now.