Know the difference between they’re, there, and their; your, you’re, and yore; flare and flair; bare and bear; alter and altar; hanger and hangar, just to name a few. If you consider yourself a professional writer or editor it’s your job to know such things!
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Today’s Writing Tip
Feed your inner editor by reading others’ work with a critical eye. Often what jumps out as a glaring faux pas is something you’re guilty of as well. Authors tend to be blind to their own weaknesses or justify them. To continually improve as a writer should be your ongoing goal.
Rave Reviews Book Club’s “SPOTLIGHT” Author Flossie Benton Rogers
Sounds like some fascinating stories! I have “Guardian of the Deep” on my Kindle waiting in line for me to get to it and I can’t wait!
Today’s blog features guest Flossie Benton Rogers, “SPOTLIGHT” Author from Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC), answering questions about Mind Your Goddess and her Witchfae series of novels. Please be sure to leave a comment or question for Flossie below. So, let’s meet Flossie!
Why do you write paranormal romance?
I have always loved fairy tales, and mythology is a passion of mine. Paranormal romance allows me to play around in the various mythological pantheons. It’s like an ice cream cone piled high with delicious flavors and chocolate sprinkles on top!
What made you decide to write a series?
As I wrote the first book, two secondary characters made it clear they had a story to tell and wanted their own book. This was the Goddess Epona and her dark Guardian of the Between, Eshigel. They are the stars of the third book, Mind Your Goddess. With each book, new characters introduce…
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Today’s Writing Tip
If you’re writing a series, refresh your memory of previous events by rereading the book’s predecessors. It will be worth your time. You’ll be surprised how many nifty little tidbits you find that you can tie into sequels, even if it’s just your characters reminiscing. Tying stories together in small ways will please your loyal readers tremendously, similar to the effect of an inside joke. If you’re writing the final volume this is even more important, since it will help you tie up all the loose ends. Check out my other tips for serial writers here and here.
Today’s Writing Tip
Watch for mixed metaphors! “Her eyes flew across the room” is a classic example. This can also happen with misplaced prepositional phrases. Make sure they’re in the most logical order or they can have a similar effect. I saw one the other day that said “Wanna Clone Your Dog Like Barbra Streisand?” So, are they suggesting that your dog is like Barbra Streisand? I don’t think so, but it could be read that way. Adding “did” to the end of the sentence fixes it grammatically. Most would know what was meant, but it’s still best to avoid statements which can often be hilarious, but throw your reader out of your story while they have a good laugh.
Today’s Writing Tip
If your novel becomes a series, remember some readers may not start with book one. Describe the characters in each story and recap the plot and any key events so they’re not lost or confused. Loyal readers will appreciate the reminder as well, especially if it’s been a while since they read the previous volume. I have more tips for serial writers in two previous blogs, which you can find here and here.
Today’s Writing Tip
Use active voice as much as possible. “The boy threw the ball”, not “The ball was thrown by the boy.” Note it also eliminates a preposition. This is another way that tighter writing is better writing. There are exceptions, but use them consciously. For example, a statement such as “The board approved the new proposal” is often simply stated “The new proposal was approved.” Watch for needing a prepositional phrase following the verb, in which case you may be slipping into passive voice.
Today’s Writing Tip
Learn to use commas correctly. Comma usage is too complicated to explain here, but be aware that they not only affect readability, but reflect your skill as a writer. Read your work out loud, if necessary, to help you figure out where they’re needed. Their primary purpose is to separate sentence elements with a slight pause to provide clarity. Hint: You’ll often need one before “but” or “which”. Oxford commas, where you include a comma before the “and” in a series of items, is often used as well. For example, “Her favorite foods included pizza, spaghetti, chocolate, enchiladas, and fajitas.” Without the Oxford comma, “enchiladas and fajitas” could be considered to be a reference to a combination plate as opposed to separate items.
Today’s Writing Tip
Use possessives to avoid prepositional phrases, e.g. notice how I changed the header from “Writing Tip of the Day”. You wouldn’t say “the collar of the dog”, would you? Tighter Writing is Better Writing. #amwriting #RRBC #amediting
Writing Tip of the Day
Introduce flashbacks with a past-perfect verb, i.e.: “She’d been charmed from the moment their eyes first met.” Continue with simple past, then close with past-perfect back to the present story action. #amwriting #amediting
Marcha's Two-Cents Worth 