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Bookmark and come back often as this page is updated with more tips.

Here are a few tips for writers while writing your story or during the editing stage:

bulletbreak up your sentence lengths. For action/suspense, shorter sentences add punch, a 'ticking clock' rhythm to the scene.

Long sentences add a smooth transition to the next scene.

bulletleave one space after a period
bulletTry to use more descriptive words where the image is clearer. For example: The dog ran after Jane can be The Doberman ran after Jane.  A reader can visualize the type of animal better when the breed is offered
bulletIf you've kept your vocabulary simple, then don't stick sporadic 'must take out my dictionary to find the meaning' words. They will stand out like a sore thumb.
bulletThis may sound 'but I know this' but you would be surprised how many writers don't. Make sure that each different character's dialogue is placed in a new line.

Don't have a paragraph with three people talking in there. Very, very confusing to follow and connect with any one character.

bulletPlease remove passive voice. Use active voice.
bulletPlease make sure your characters names remain consistent. I can't tell you how many times I begin reading with 'James' and a few chapters down the line he is now baptized 'Chris' for some odd reason.

 

PROMOTIONAL TIPS FOR WRITERS:

bulletIf your book has a character with a particular illness/disorder (cancer, muscular dystrophy, autism, etc) add some resource links to your website. This draws a reader back to your site to see what else you have. Drawing them back will help build traffic and traffic usually brings readers to find out what you've written.
bulletContact a local book club and offer to meet with them and workshop a writing course in exchange to set up a table with your books to sell.
bulletBookstores are not the only place for book signings. Contact your local coffee shop and ask if you can host an event - book signing, reading - at their establishment.
bulletPrint out and bind your first chapter with a bio and buying information as a sampler to leave in offices.
bulletIf your book includes a historical place in your city why not contact city hall and see if they're interested in buying and promoting your book. You are, after all, a local author.