Do Away Awkwardness

A Lesson by Camille Corbett

Because It's always repulsive to look like you're trying too hard.ALWAYS

1. Do not use a word if you do not know it's precise meaning, it is a huge turn off if a word is misused.A GARGANTUAN one .

2. Learn what parallelism is, I have read too many writings that could have been fixed if they practiced this simple rhetorical device. This can usually save even the crappiest of writings.

LOOK IT UP!

_device

3. Read it aloud while editing it, it prevents awkwardness.

4.Never be offended by criticism, even if it is preposterous. Take it in, you may need it one day.

5. READ! Read good books, by good writers.

ex. If you wish to write erotica, do not read in the rubbish bargain basement erotics!Read Philipa Gregory and the likes.

Or.

ex. If you wish to write for Children's/ Teens don't read the new modern crap! Go to the classics or at least read the books that will be classics! (Harry Potter, Spiderwick, Pendragon)

6. Don't EVER adjust your style because you think someone has a better one, make yours the best.

7.Stay attentive for things, sights, and puns that you can put in your writing. Keep a folder of them, make it your goal to write down at least one thing a day. Or make a quote folder, of your own witty or powerful quotes you have said, it's not egotistical, it's your job as a writer.

8. If you hear something and you wish to write about it, sit on it, good ideas come sweeter with age, bad ones rot.

9.Long, drawn out descriptions are always boring, even if you are a good writer these will make your writing worse. ALWAYS.

10. Always try to refine your style, you want a person to know, when they read your writing, without even glancing at who wrote it, that it's yours.

Okay! That's all the tips I have for today. I will post a new lesson every Wednesday. Add me as a friend on here if you ever wish for me to edit or if you have any questions.

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I am here to help!

Comments

KahYee.Chiang

Posted 12 Years Ago

I'm new and this is really helping! Thank you so so much! :D

originalazrael

Posted 12 Years Ago

One thing I do is:

I set aside an hour (or two if you prefer) where I sit at my computer with a blank word document, making sure I have nothing to distract me, and type whatever comes to my head. Even if sometimes I don't think of anything.

It lets my brain subconciously relax at that time so that if I were to think of something, it would come. It's also if I think of an outline or plot point or something, instead of fumbling around for a notepad and working pen, I got the keyboard right in front of me.

And don't worry if you think of something outside this hour. Because most of the time, it always comes back when you have your next sit down hour.

life_n_beauty

Posted 13 Years Ago

new here. thank you for the pointers.

life*of*equiluxe

Posted 13 Years Ago

I am new here, and I see that a lot of people have criticized #9! lol. I have to say that this should have a footnote, that being as to whether the description pertains to the story and plot. It should provide a background/foundation and reference, and not completely wall the reader in. I have never made it far in the Lord of the Rings trilogy because the descriptions are so long I have a hard time remembering what was supposed to be happening. On the other hand, Georgette Heyer wrote using so much slang and and contemporary phrases (to her) that I have a hard time understanding what is being said or referred to. Great advice and points to ponder!

Arizona Sky

Posted 13 Years Ago

Number six just brought a complete realization to me. It's so true. And not only with writing, but with everything else.
I know I've heard all those things such as, "You are the best you can be and that's all that matters..." But the way you said it just totally...i don't know...inspired me?!
Wonderful...

Calypso

Posted 13 Years Ago

I really, really need to become a better author. I've been told I have a gift, but my skills still need to be refined.

N. C. Matthews

Posted 13 Years Ago

I would have to agree with Leon Agnew. I also disagree with #5 as well. I always say "a good story is in the mind's eye of the reader." Just because you think it's bargain basement crap and that another reader is the best doesn't mean everyone will think that. #4 is iffy. I do agree wholeheartedly with #6. Now THAT'S good advice. Opinions are good though. Everyone has their own little stash of rules that they follow to make them into a better writer. I've been writing for 28 years now, and I still rewrite my rules from time to time ;).

Leon Agnew

Posted 13 Years Ago

Honestly, I see too much of you in this. Empty your glass of opinions before you speak. This may be the way you write, but it's not the same for others. 1, 2, 8, and 9 are all absolutely incorrect. You've obviously not read timeless classics like Ulysses, All the King's Men, and many of Dickens' excellent works.

The only "good" writing is writing that comes from the heart. If you spend your writing career following rules, guidelines, and other restrictive methods, you're only selling yourself out to the general public.