Category: Writer’s Resources

Help on writing and the writing life. Grammar, Inspiration, Marketing & Publishing, Prompts, Writing Tips

Editing your own writing

Leave a comment

One of the challenges of writing is being able to edit your own work. It can be difficult to be objective about your writing, especially if it’s a piece you’ve rewritten several times. The words can become a blur. Something else that can happen is that, when you read your own story, you get pulled into the plot. You’re unable to stay outside of the story long enough to see it as someone else would.

But all is not lost. Here are some tips that will make it easier to edit your own writing:

  • Set the writing aside for a few hours or days.
  • Read the copy backwards, sentence by sentence or word by word.
  • Circle the verbs. This is great way to uncover inconsistent verb tense.
  • Look for one problem at a time. For instance:
    • Have you consistently used “said” or “says”?
    • Is the name of the source quoted in the article spelled correctly each time it is  used?
    • Use the “find” feature to see how many times you’ve used a certain word.
  • If you’ve been working on a computer, print out the article or story and proof the hard copy.
  • Change the “zoom” setting on your computer. It’s surprising how reading something in a different type size will point out different things.
  • Circle commas and then check to make sure they’re used correctly.
  • Use a software program that checks spelling and grammar.
  • Make a list of grammar, punctuation and spelling errors you commonly make. Refer to that checklist before sending your writing out.
  • When writing for a particular publication, refer to its style sheet to make sure you’ve followed those rules.

 What editing techniques have you found useful?

Writing process: Keep on keepin’ on

Leave a comment

Writing often requires a long-time commitment to the craft. Here are some tips on how to keep writing:

  • Find a writing buddy. Meet every week at a coffee shop and write for an hour.
  • Join a writing group in which members sign up to read their writing on specific dates.
  • Take a writing class.
  • Work with a writing coach. Set up weekly goals and check-ins.
  • Read inspirational books about people who reached their goals.
  • Uncover your passion – the kinds of writing and topics you really want to work on.
  • Instead of setting aside a certain time to write, set aside a certain time to do something specific, such as: “draft that scene in the library” or “research polar bears.”
  • Expect intrusions. Plan ahead for them. Know ahead of time what you’re going to do when they happen.
  • Take commitments to yourself seriously.
  • Reward yourself after you write.
  • Find ways to write in the midst of life. There will always be something else to do. Some people respond by not writing at all or writing rarely or occasionally or only when a large amount of time opens up. Get used to writing for short but regular amounts of time.
  • Refuse to wait for the right moment. Take time to write.
  • Set achievable, measurable goals. (I’ll write for 2 hours twice this week).
  • Break large writing goals into small goals.
  • Go public with your goal (Post it on a blog or tell your friends).
  • Join an online writing group.
  • Find a support system of people who value writing.

What I’m reading: A Walk in the Woods

Leave a comment

I just finished reading Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, a humorous account of the author’s adventures while hiking the Appalachian Trail. The book includes some history and ecology, as well. A fine example of immersion journalism (in which the reporter takes part in the event he’s writing about), the narrative is both entertaining and informative.

What outdoor adventure have you gone on that you could write about? What story could you tell that an armchair traveler would enjoy?

What I’m reading: The Perfect Screenplay (continued)

Leave a comment

I found some more notes I took while reading The Perfect Screenplay by Katherine Atwell Herbert:

Each scene needs to:

  • Have a purpose and story arch
  • Tell a small piece of the story
  • Push the plot forward
  • Reveal something about the characters 

When writing dialogue:

  • Save the most important information until the end
  • Give each character a unique voice
  • Make sure the characters are doing something while talking; avoid talking heads

 Act I:

  • Introduces the main characters, their relationships and personalities
  • Establishes the setting and time period

 Act II:

  • Includes complications and subplots and reveals more about each character
  • Shows the personal side of the protagonist by revealing what he would do if all his problems were solved
  • It’s here that things get really bad and the protagonist loses all hope in himself
  • Remember to dramatize the theme
  • Vary the tone, rhythm and length of scenes to keep things interesting
  • Use subplots to add texture and cultural variety

 Act III:

  • Often opens with the main character at a low point
  • Main character somehow gathers himself together to try again
  • Encouragement to keep going may come from another character
  • Eventually the main character figures out what’s been holding him back and preventing him from reaching his goal

 Climax:

  • Make sure the hero is on stage and facing the antagonist
  • Don’t rush this scene 

Post climax:

  • Often includes a hint of marriage or a promise of a future relationship

What I’m reading: The Perfect Screenplay

Leave a comment

 I just finished reading The Perfect Screenplay: Writing It and Selling It by Katherine Atwell Herbert (Allworth Press, 2005).

 After getting over my initial resistance to the title (“Perfect Screenplay”? What’s that?) I was able to find several useful suggestions in the book. The tips can help all writers, not just those writing screenplays:

 1. Screenplays have a premise and a theme. The premise explains what the main character has to do. The theme is what the film is really about (the lesson learned). For example, in the Million Dollar Baby movie, the premise is that a young woman, estranged from her family and lacking any resources, seeks self-respect and a career, so takes up professional boxing. The movie’s themes are there’s a price to pay for your dreams and an artificially sustained life is no life at all.

 2. A phone pitch about a screenplay should include a punchy two-liner about the project. (Try writing a two-liner about your writing project, whatever it is).

 3.  Some film companies hire readers to analyze submitted scripts. Here are some of the elements readers look at: premise, story line, characterization, structure and dialogue. (Keep those elements in mind when you’re assessing your own writing).

Writing prompt: Pants on the ground

Leave a comment

The rap song  “Pants on the Ground” was written by 62-year-old Vietnam veteran Gen. Larry Platt. The song became an instant hit when Platt sang it on the TV show “American Idol.”  Although the song is fun, it also reflects Platt’s many years as a civil rights activist. In the song, he chastises young men for wearing their pants too long.

Is there a topic that fires you up, one that you could write a rap song about? To get you started, read Platt’s song printed below — and remember to have fun and include rhythm.

Pants on the Ground

  By Gen. Larry Platt

Pants on the ground

Pants on the ground

Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground

With the gold in your mouth

Hat turned sideways

Pants hit the ground

Call yourself a cool cat

Lookin’ like a fool

Walkin’ downtown with your pants on the ground

Hey, get your pants off the ground!

Resources for writers: These Web sites are for you

Leave a comment

Now you have a reason to spend all that time online: Writers Digest has published its list of the 101 best Web sites for writers.  The list includes everything from babynameworld.com (for when you need to come up with a name for a baby character) to bookmooch.com (where you can exchange books you no longer want with books you do want) and journalismjobs.com (if you’re looking for a job). Happy Web surfing!