"My task, which I am trying to achieve
is,
by the power of the written word,
to make you hear, to make you feel--
it is, before all, to make you see." -Joseph
Conrad
We all want our readers to submerse themselves in our stories. We want readers to see, hear,
taste, and feel along with our characters. Words are the bricks we use to
build a place where a reader keeps returning.
Sebastyne Young reminds writers "A picture can
tell a thousand words, but a few words change a story." Verbs move a
story. We all heard about writing with strong verbs, (instead of 'she laughed,' perhaps she chortled, snickered, snorted, tittered,) or any of the other
forty-two other meanings of laughter that could improve your scene. Choose the verb that one would draw your
reader into the story and help describe your character?
Writers must read. Current fiction gives
the writer insight into today's style. Some successful writers have a formulaic
method. While other prolific writers never repeat the place, time, and
characters in future books. Go read.
Pawan Mishra advises writers to"tell a story with simpler words.” Writers no longer are paid by
the word. Think about your audience. Examine the structure and vocabulary of
the books you read. Is your writing clean?
Get the words down on
paper. Read your work aloud. Check for the following issues:
- repeated words - look for
synonyms or an alternate group of words
- clichés - create your own
description
- connotation - consider the
emotional and underlying meaning of the word and how it fits with the
story
- specific words- chose words
that paint a picture for the reader
- simplicity - consider if you want
your audience to be checking a dictionary
- musicality - some this is about
pacing and sound, you must read each paragraph aloud to check if you used
the correct word. Some software allows you to play back what you wrote.
Writing
demands, like all art forms, practice.
"A writer takes an idea
uses exact words and crafts a story."
Pat W Coffey
For
more information click on the following websites:
Resources:
"Five Writing Habits to Avoid
"Ten Rules for Writing Fiction"
"Making the Right Word Choice Makes
Your Writing Better"
