Write Tip #4: Specificity. I read something today that described a house as “like an old Victorian”. Well, was it, or wasn’t it? A Victorian is a particular sort of house. Saying “like” makes me think it wasn’t, really, but the author couldn’t come up with a better description – which is lazy. Be specific. Make me see what you see. Don’t be lazy.
Write Tip #3: Nobody has a fully naked sexual encounter in a conference room in the middle of the work day. If that’s your opener? Don’t expect people to keep reading.
Write Tip #2: Know your strengths.
I had to put down a book because the author had beautiful narration and description, but only so-so dialogue. Problem? She tried to tell the bulk of the story through conversation.
Everyone has something they aren’t good at. Everyone can get better, too, but always play to your strengths. I use a lot of dialogue, because it’s the easiest for me. I continually work on improving the rest of my writing, but I know better than to try to do a Henry James and describe everything.
Write Tip #1: When hiring an editor, make sure they know the difference between peeked/peaked/piqued, and deep-seated vs. deep-seeded (which…no.). I’ve given up on two books this week because of those. Typos I’m willing to overlook, but an unfamiliarity with basic English expressions? Nope.