Some Advice to Those Who Are Planning to Write a Book

Number one, learn about the craft of writing. Yes, there are rules--and rules can be broken, but not before you know what they are.

Read books and magazines about writing, go to writers' conferences, join a critique group. Read the type of books you want to write.

Know the basics.

Do you know what POV means and how to use it correctly?

Do you know how to use dialogue effectively and how to use actions and description as dialogue tags?

Do you know how to develop interesting characters?

Do you know how to balance action, dialogue and narrative?

Do you know how to get rid of your pet words and phrases?

If you plan on self-publishing at the very least your book should have:

Page numbers

Chapters that begin on the right hand page.

No page numbers on the first page of the chapter.

Alternating the title and the author's name at the top of the page, not appearing on the chapter page.

A separate page for each, title page, dedication and acknowledgements.

Indentation for the beginning of paragraphs, not 2 spaces between paragraphs.

(Save the 2 spaces to indicate a new scene or change of viewpoint.)

No matter how good the book is, if it's not fromatted right people do notice. It will cause a mark down in contests and by reviewers.

Rewrite.

Get rid of repeated words and phrases.

Only keep what's important to the story.

Eliminate empty adverbs--use descriptive verbs instead.

Get rid of "to be" words, replace with active, vivid verbs.

Describe the scene as the POV character sees it.

Show what's going on--don't tell about if after the fact.

* * *
Be professional.

Be careful what you say online.

Don't badmouth other publishers and authors.

And never get into a conflict with a reviewer.

Hope this helps someone.

Marilyn



Comments

Unknown said…
Marilyn,

Thanks so much for featuring my book on your blog. I so appreciate your support of your fellow writers with OTP, by posting their books and giving advice such as your blog posting today. If there is any way in which I can help you, please feel free to contact me.

Best Wishes,

Dave
Thanks, Dave, I may take you up on your offer one of these days.

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