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The Word 9
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The Word 9 (Disk 2 of 2).adf
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11-How2Write.txt
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11-How2Write.txt
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1996-01-17
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|1-How 2 Write.
By Sparhawk
This is just a collection of notes and tips on writing from various
books.
The first thing to remember is that writing is a very individual
thing. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way - only broad guidelines that
could be followed if the writer so wishes. Every writer has, or should
have, his or her own style. If there were detailed rules to writing
this style would not exist. Look at classical writers such as James
Joyce or even Shakespeare, Dickens et al and you'll see what I mean!
There are certain areas that can be taught - mainly the grammar
involved. Areas such as punctuation, spelling (spellcheckers have
eradicated a need for good spelling) and layout are advisable. The best
advice is just to look at your work, and get one other to look as well,
and change anything that doesn't look (or sound) right. Remember -
there is no right way to write!
One of the most valuable commodities to a writer is imagination.
Everyone has imagination. Use it! Even when writing factual pieces
imagination can play a part. However, in non-fiction you should be
careful not to obscure the truth or interpret the facts wrongly.
You should always write how you speak, more or less. Don't write
everything that you speak, but write in that style. It will make lively
reading and be informative. You should also write for a target
audience. Do not write in the same way for a group of businessmen as
you would for a group of five year old children! You should assume a
certain level of intelligence in the reader. Don't explain everything
but explain any new ideas or concepts. I would expect Grapevine, Word
or other diskmags, to cater for say 17-25 year olds.
You should write about what you know. If you are writing of
something that you have no knowledge of you should research it or use
something familiar as a basis. For example, if you are writing a piece
of fiction that includes a house, you could use your own house with
different details. This makes it seem more real to the reader.
You should approach people through their interests. Write what you
intend to write and do not stray from the path. This links with writing
for a specific audience. You should start with a strong beginning,
stating your intentions, and finish with an ending just as strong. It
is good to end with a reference to the beginning. You should start with
familiar ideas/concepts and go from there. Tell things through examples
and not abstractions!
Make sure that what you write is what you mean. There are many
examples of what this should not be, for example: For sale, Bulldog,
eats anything, very fond of children.
When writing, do not 'beg' questions. For example, consider this
question. 'Have you ceased beating your wife?' Which ever way you
answer you admit it!
Make sure facts are facts and don't interpret them wrongly. Make
sure the text answers basic questions such as Who, What, Why, When.
Use stronger forms where needed, follow the natural order of actions.
For example, 'He rushed... then turned...' is stronger than 'He
turned... after rushing...' Avoid weak verbs and adverbs. E.G.
Thudded is better than Fell Heavily.
Be careful with 'Dangling phrases'. E.G. Hanging from the bell
tower, the crowds watched as the fanatic prepared to jump. It seems
obvious the fanatic is doing the jumping but who is hanging from the
tower? The crowds or fanatic?
Keep each paragraph to a single topic. Do not pad out text with idle
remarks or semi-irrelevancies. Do not repeat everything all the time do
so if the alternative is to think up more distracting solutions. For
example, when using a character in a story you may not want to say Tom
did this... Tom did that... all the time, and end up saying The
Blacksmith decided that... Gertas husband decided that... etc.
eventually it will go to far!
Bear in mind the pitfalls in the connotations of words. E.G. Lester
Piggot would not ride a gee-gee or Lancelot a nag. All mean the same
however.
Do not mix figurative and literal phrases. E.G. She sat with her
head in her hands and her eyes on the floor.
In fiction, cover Characters, Viewpoint, Background and Time.
Keep a consistent viewpoint. Not "David felt his heart thump, tears
stung his blue eyes." The reference to blue takes us out of Davids
emotions.
Don't describe everything. Leave some to imagination.
Use suitable Names. Ada and Herbet, Tracey and Kev, Peregrine and
Lucinda. All these evoke different impressions.
Specific areas in fiction writing include:
CHARACTERS - Actions and reactions, age, physical attributes,
Upbringing and environment, religious influences, sexuality.
MOTIVATION - Love, Self-Sacrifice, Greed, Jealousy, Revenge, Duty,
Fear, Vanity, Hatred, Loneliness.
DIALOGUE - Natural vs unnatural, dialogue tags, direct and indirect.
STYLE AND VIEWPOINT - Approach, ancient and modern, Third person etc.
CONSTRUCTION - Working to a synopsis, Narrative hooks, Chapter hooks,
Transitions, Flashback, Cliches, Endings.
And that's that! There are many other 'rules' but I believe the main
one is that there are no rules where writing is concerned. All of the
above are just hints taken from various books. Some people use rules
such as 'cut out anything that isn't necessary' but that is one I don't
believe in. Most fiction is full of unnecessary information!
If you are going to write, fact or fiction, then send it to
grapevine. Fact includes articles on anything under the sun and fiction
includes writing anything in the main genres or something cross-genre or
not even in any genre (unlikely). Genres include Science Fiction,
Fantasy, Crime, Western, Romance, War, and many more. These can be
further broken down, such as Sci-Fi: Hard and Soft Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk,
Adventure, etc.
Selected Bibliography.
Writing Popular Fiction by Rona Randell.
How to write for publication by Chriss McCalum.
The art of writing made simple by Geoffrey Ashe.
Make money from writing by Andrew Crofts.
How to write science fiction by Bob Shaw.
End