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.
- Passive voice often uses inactive verbs followed by words ending in “-ed”
- 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.”
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.
Ann Narcisian Videan: Book Shepherd/Editor/Author 