While reviewing a blog I ran across at the Self-Publishing School site, I realized their points covered some of the main techniques I teach in my writing workshops to overcome these issues. Study the few tips below, and you’ll be amazed at how your words jump off the page!

• Avoid passive voice, use active voice instead
  • Passive voice often uses inactive verbs followed by words ending in “-ed”
    or “-ing”
    • Passive voice = is cheering, are praying, have binged
    • Active voice = cheer, prays, binged
  • In active voice, you start your sentences with the subject and use an active verb to describe what the subject does. 

• Don’t use weak verbs, use active verbs instead
  • Inactive/”to be” verbs = is, was, has, have, be, been
  • Active verbs create a mental picture: cheers, pray, binged, stumble, stared

• Why use emotion explaining, when you can simply show physical reactions? 
  • Climb into a character’s skin and experience what they taste, feel, hear, smell, and do.
  • Beauty is in the details… describe how someone’s hands shake and lips quiver when they tremble in “fear.”

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Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan, Book Shepherd
Write • Edit • Publish • Word-of-mouth strategy

P.S. Learn more about my novels on my Amazon Author Central page.