Welcome, and the First 10

Ever want a quick set of tips on a subject, anything that might be of interest.  In this blog I will lay out a series of 10 Tips per topic, the subjects will vary as to eventually provide something for everyone.

As a quick start, here is the First 10 on Writing (in the future, they will be released as one, maybe two a day)

Writer's Tip #1: Get to know your characters. In fiction, just like non-fiction, you want to learn as much as you can about the characters you are creating. Learn to "live," think, imagine as your characters would.

Once you understand the drives, the thoughts, the emotions of your characters, then you know you can create a story your readers will become connected to.

Writer's Tip #2: Know the lay of the land. In non-fiction you wouldn't put Gettysburg, PA south of Petersburg, VA, with that in mind, don't do that in fiction either. It is important to keep your "world" geographically correct, if you must, and my suggestion, create a map to use for reference.

Writing Tip #3: First v. Third Person. The best answer, you just have to "feel" when it is right to use which one. For the "understandable" answer...

...Think of it like this, first person is the characters inner thoughts, what they are saying directly, think of it like you narrating your life, while you might not have the cool voice, you know all of the details and can give understanding to reason. In third person, it's the outsider looking in, how other people perceive your character, what is going on from a wider view, think of it as you have James Earl Jones narrating your life and also if your friends were describing what you were/are doing.

Writing Tip #4: Writing Style. As you write, create your own style, yes, you must still follow grammar rules and spell correctly, but you might find something that creates a unique vision.

For example, in some of my writings I write like I'm presenting a speech, I add commas/breaks as a way to add emphasis, or force pauses where is ups the intensity, etc. Find what adds your special edge, and it might not be the same for every piece of writing either

Writing Tip #5: Know your Audience. This may sound cliche, but it's true. If you'r writing an academic paper, write like a professional, if you're writing a story for little kids, use appropriate language and wording. Once you define your audience, then you can determine what aspects of your writing you need to focus on more or less

Writing Tip #6: Dramatic imagery vs minimal imagery

I've written with both before, and I enjoy both for different reasons. Using a lot of imagery draws in your audience, it makes it so they see every detail with ease, very common in books that the reader gets absorbed into. With minimal imagery, it leaves room for the reader to create some of the story, it works their mind so they become attached to the stay because they "created" parts of the story.

Both are good, use which ever you feel is best for your audience

Writing Tip #7: Edit, edit, EDIT!

This should go without saying, but be sure to edit your work, then have someone else edit it, then have another, and maybe even another person edit it. The more editors you have, the greater chance you have of catching your mistakes that you just glaze over because it's natural for you.

This is when you like your "Grammar Nazi" friend. Plus you two could exchange works and help each other

Writing Tip #8: Plot Holes

They happen, and depending on the subject, depends on if you need to close them. If you are writing an academic paper, then you want to cover any weaknesses in your argument, remember, you want to make a sound proof argument. As for fiction, they may happen. Readers who just read to read, won't care if it is a small mistake, on the other hand, dedicated readers and major holes that are never brought back up, may leave your readers questioning their allegiance

Writing Tip #9: Number of Characters

This is a tricky point since it handles based on your writing style. For the most part, try to keep main characters to only a key few. These are characters which actively drive the plot and have key roles, to include the protagonist(s) and antagonist(s).

Supplementary characters, you have a large number of. Still keep an easy handle on secondary ones, as your readers should still be somewhat attached to them. As for tertiary, go for as many as you want, they are there as filler, shot plot movers, and tend not to last for more than a chapter or two.

Writing Tip #10: Share your work

Once you have worked on your piece for however long, share it. Try to publish it as a novel (either self or via publisher), in a literary magazine, in a competition, get it out. You never know where you'll get followers.