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On Writing on-writing (Writing (Story (Theme (Interesting to you (A…

- - - - Words
        
        Vocabulary
        
        Be natural
        
        Only change the word if it's not appropriate for context
        
        Go with the first word that pops into your head
        
        Keeps the word closer to your idea
        
        Larger isn't alway better
        
        Large words can be harder for the reader to understand
        
        Don't be afraid of large words
        
        Break the readers flow
        
        No need to show off
        
        Avoid adverbs
        
        Words ending in "ly"
        
        Often redundant
        
        Adverbs meaning be inferred from context
        
        Weeds
        
        Prefer active verbs
        
        Omit needless words
        
        Don't be afraid to use colloquialisms
      - Minimum
        
        Verb
        
        Noun
      - Vary length
      - Types
        
        Passive
        
        Avoid
        
        Timid
        
        Weak
        
        Example:
        The rope was thrown by the writer
        
        Active
        
        Subject of sentence is doing something
        
        The subject is doing
        
        Example:
        The writer throw the rope
    - - Indication of reading difficulty
      - Structure
        
        Starts with topic sentence
        
        Followed by support sentences
      - Avoid wandering
        
        Keep it tight
        
        Easier to scan
        
        Easier to understand/follow
      - Vary length
      - 'Is the beat of the story"
    - - Long enough for the reader to fall into
      - Write as much as you want
  - - - Expected
        
        Easier for reader to read
        
        Easier for reader to follow
      - Can cling to them when you're lost
      - Breaking
        
        Can create a dramatic effe
        
        Follow conversation patterns
- - - - Enjoy it
      - Don't share too soon
        
        Write first for yourself first and others later
        
        Write with a closed door
        
        Write with an ideal reader in mind (not in body)
    - - Reading
        
        Learn from others
        
        From bad writing
        
        Remember what you didn't like
        
        Remember someone got paid for this
        
        From good writing
        
        Understand what it means to be swept away
        
        Take note of the structure
        
        Refine your style
        
        Mimic others
        
        Discover your own style
      - Writing
        
        Keep the story fresh
        
        Write every day
        
        Think of the characters as people
        
        Mindset
        
        "One word at a time"
        
        Should be inspired play
        
        Close door
        
        Write about...
        
        What you love
        
        What you know
        
        People love to read about what they know
        
        But don't be afraid to stray but not too far
        
        What you know, is unique to you
        
        Stay honest
        
        Know your characters
        
        Don't second guess word selection
    - - Treat it like a job
        
        Set goals
        
        Examples
        
        Pages per day
        
        Words per day
        
        Stop when you meet it
        
        Spend 4-6 hours a day on it
        
        Keep a schedule
        
        Let your muse find you by being predictable
        
        Waking creative sleep state
        
        Routine
      - Cut out distractions
        
        TV
        
        Social media
  - - - Getting from A to Z
        
        If it's fresh for you, it's fresh for the reader
        
        Allow the story unfold
        
        Control the pace
      - Ignore a defined plot
        
        Our lives don't have plots
        
        Stops spontaneity
        
        Not honest with reader
        
        Stories should be allowed to grow
        
        Not the same as having a basic idea of when you are going with the story
      - Base it off a "What if"
    - - Creates sensory reality
        
        What do you want the reader to experience?
        
        Places
        
        Don't describe too much
        
        Reader will fill the gaps
        
        Places
        
        People
        
        Only describe what is important
        
        Too much description slows the pace
        
        Be honest
        
        Actions
        
        Avoid
        
        Avoid cliches
        
        Avoid adverbs
        
        KISS
    - - Brings the characters to life
        
        Avoids needing too much narration
        
        Shows who the character is
        
        Intelligence
        
        Prejudices
        
        Opinions
        
        Stay honest to that character
        
        Don't be afraid of offending
        
        Watch other people
        
        No-one is all-good or all-bad
        
        On-one see themself as the villain
      - Does it sound right?
  - - - A nice treat
      - Adds depth
      - Acts as a focusing device
    - - Ties the story together
      - Acts as a de-blocker
      - What's the message of the story?
      - Interesting to you
        
        A question you want to answer
        
        Commentary of society
    - - How did we get here?
        
        Show rather than tell
        
        Dialogue is a natural way to introduce it
      - Don't break the forward momentum of the story to tell it
      - Tell only enough to move forward
    - - Helps to ground a story in reality
      - Satisfies some readers need to be learn
      - Secondary to story
- - - - "Murder your darlings"
      - Remove pronouns and adverbs
      - Cut to speed up the story
      - 2nd draft should be 10% smaller
    - - Edit with them in mind
        
        Through their eyes
        
        Would they understand this?
        
        Is it quick enough?
        
        Would they like this?
        
        Look out for plot holes
      - An actual person
    - - Allows distance
      - Switch on to something else
      - Can see it again fresh
    - - Reinforce meaning
        
        Symbolism/Theme
        
        Keeps story on message
        
        Expose it further
      - What will the reader take from this?
  - - - If the same issue comes up - it's a sign for change
      - Ignore isolated issues
      - Not all opinions carry the same weight
    - - When do they put the book down
      - How do they react to certain parts