Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
Does grammar matter? If so, to what degree? Is it more important to be grammatically correct or to write the way people speak today? An exploration of prescriptive and descriptive language and grammar in fiction.
Continue reading Rules vs. Practice—Prescriptive and Descriptive Grammar »
Tips for writing character thought and inner dialogue. There are options for punctuation and method.
Continue reading Inner Dialogue—Writing Character Thoughts »
A story can’t be about everything and everyone; there must be focus. Direct characters and readers by pointing them where you want them to go and cut out everything that distracts or doesn’t belong.
There is not only one way to write a sentence, a scene, a chapter, or a story. Writing a novel isn’t only about plugging in words and events and scenes in accordance with a formula. It’s writing with skill and artistry.
There’s a lot of contention concerning narrative tense—should stories always be told using the past tense or is present tense a true option.
Continue reading Narrative Tense—Right Now or Way Back Then »
Readers bring perceptions to every novel. Put those perceptions to work for you rather than allowing them to annoy your readers.
Readers can get really ticked off when you use coincidence to solve story problems. They are pulled out of the fiction and made aware that you’ve been fooling them.
Continue reading Coincidence Destroys the Suspension of Disbelief »
Many modern writers are discouraged from using adverbs. But adverbs have their uses. And no part of speech should be banned from the writer’s toolkit.
Apparently some in the writing community think semicolons have no place in fiction. But all punctuation has a purpose and can be put to use in novels and short stories.
Continue reading Punctuation in Fiction—Are There Prohibitions? »
Ramp up story conflict by repeatedly denying characters what they want or need.
The reader will focus on what stands out. Turn the reader's attention where you want it to go.
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Copyright © 2010-2018 E. A. Hill Visit Beth at A Novel Edit
Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
