Here is a writing tip which I hope will serve you well.
It is that when finishing a piece of work, and you do not have a pressing deadline to meet, allow some time before sending the work off. By allowing yourself this time - even if just a gap of a few days - you will be able to look at your work in a new light and perhaps spot errors or sentences that may not read as well as you would like. Today, for instance, I was going through an article I finished last Friday and thought was ready. To my alarm I spotted two errors - one in the opening paragraph and which, despite my reading the article over several times, I had not spotted before. Allowing time and reading your work after an interval can certainly help you to spot mistakes, improve it and, in the process, help strenghten your chances of publication.
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I have recently updated my website and if you would like to take a look it is http://neilsomerville.com
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Story Endings
In recent weeks I have heard several writers read out short stories they have written. Interestingly most of these stories started really well and drew you into the action and characterisation quite quickly. They then tailed off and with the concluding part of the story a disappointment.
It is possible these writers began their stories with the beginning and opening very clear in their mind and then, as they wrote, thought up the conclusion.
Some writers do write this way and see where their stories and characters take them. I know one detective writer who does not know whodunit until their story is quite advanced. However if you write this way, once you have written your story you do need to consider your conclusion carefully.
Does it satisfy the reader?
Is there a good twist?
Does it end in the strongest possible way?
Does your story end with a 'bang,' ie deliver the conclusion and then finish rather than peter out.
The beginning of any story is very important as you need to draw the reader in. But the ending also has to be strong, particularly if you are hoping to interest an editor with your work.
If you write fiction, do pay attention to your ending and make sure it is strong and satisfying. Just as writers like to give thought to beginnings, this is equally true of endings - and besides, a strong ending can always increase the chance of acceptance.
It is possible these writers began their stories with the beginning and opening very clear in their mind and then, as they wrote, thought up the conclusion.
Some writers do write this way and see where their stories and characters take them. I know one detective writer who does not know whodunit until their story is quite advanced. However if you write this way, once you have written your story you do need to consider your conclusion carefully.
Does it satisfy the reader?
Is there a good twist?
Does it end in the strongest possible way?
Does your story end with a 'bang,' ie deliver the conclusion and then finish rather than peter out.
The beginning of any story is very important as you need to draw the reader in. But the ending also has to be strong, particularly if you are hoping to interest an editor with your work.
If you write fiction, do pay attention to your ending and make sure it is strong and satisfying. Just as writers like to give thought to beginnings, this is equally true of endings - and besides, a strong ending can always increase the chance of acceptance.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Keys to Writing Success Part 11. Naming Characters
Sherlock Holmes.
One of the most famous and enduring names in fiction.
It has a special quality. Different, intriguing and also possibly a little remote.
It is a name we remember.
And names in fiction are supremely important.
As Emile Zola wrote, 'I always judge a young author by the names which he bestows on his characters. If the names seem to be weak or unsuitable on the people who bear them, I put the author down as a man of little talent, and am no further interested in the book.'
You can choose names from books containing name lists - for instance Baby Names, online or by looking through the phone book. One name I conjured up for one of my characters in my one and only novel was Ma Demuth, with the Demuth coming from the phone book. Although the novel is unpublished those who have read it, remember Ma Demuth well.
It really is worth spending the time to create good and appropriate character names, particularly as it can help make your characters remain in the minds of readers.
One of the most famous and enduring names in fiction.
It has a special quality. Different, intriguing and also possibly a little remote.
It is a name we remember.
And names in fiction are supremely important.
As Emile Zola wrote, 'I always judge a young author by the names which he bestows on his characters. If the names seem to be weak or unsuitable on the people who bear them, I put the author down as a man of little talent, and am no further interested in the book.'
You can choose names from books containing name lists - for instance Baby Names, online or by looking through the phone book. One name I conjured up for one of my characters in my one and only novel was Ma Demuth, with the Demuth coming from the phone book. Although the novel is unpublished those who have read it, remember Ma Demuth well.
It really is worth spending the time to create good and appropriate character names, particularly as it can help make your characters remain in the minds of readers.
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