Random Writing Tips vol. 3

41. Read lots and write lots, every day if possible.

42. Second drafts should be 10% shorter as a general rule. So says the King.

43. Polish, polish, and polish your work.

44. Avoid negative information. Negative information tells us what did not happen, rather than what did happen. It offers the reader no concrete information or images. She didn’t smile. It wasn’t cold outside. He almost cried.

45. Reactive heroes need relentless villains. And at some point in the story the hero must become active in pursuing their destiny/dreams/goals.

46. Avoid weak, silly, and confusing similes and metaphors.

47. Use participial phrases with care so they don’t sound awkward to the reader.

48. Show, don’t tell the reader information whenever possible.

49. Develop and follow your voice, it’s all you’ve got that separates you from the crowd.

50. Telling a great story always trumps simply writing well.

51. When you think you’ve finished, sit down for another draft.

52. Butt in chair, the secret to getting work done.

53. Never try to publish something you wouldn’t read out loud to a group of strangers.

54. If you write for children you should be reading to them on a regular basis. Volunteer to read at the local library or school if you’ve got none of your own. It pays to know your audience.

55. Don’t chase the market. Writing and publishing are slow beasts, moving at a snail's pace. And trends come and go like cheetahs.

56. Be careful when satirizing something or someone you hate. It can come off as childish, mean-spirited, and people usually see through political bias and tune out. Intelligent satire comes from a wide array of emotions, including admiration.

57. The early bird gets the worm. Morning people tend to get more done, this includes writing.

58. Stay healthy, eat right, and exercise daily. Avoid drink and drugs and other known baddies. You need your eyes, hands, heart, and brain to write. Treat them with respect.

59. Don’t buy the Big Break lie. Real achievement/success does not come out of thin air or divine luck but from years of hard work, dedication, passion, persistence, networking, and grit. Getting published is not like winning the lottery.

60. Don’t be a schemer. Dreams require action to make them real. Tiny wood elves will not sneak into your house at night and write your book for you. Only you can do that.