Elements of Craft Quick Tips Although I tried to cram more than one idea on each of Tip Page, there remained several tips I wanted to cover that didn't fit neatly in any of the established pages. So, here are the leftovers: Research does more than add authenticity -- it often opens the door to subplots and additional scenes. Check out news events during the time period of your manuscript. Maybe John Lenon's death didn't affect you dramatically, but if your character is a rock 'n roll musician or a Beatle fanatic, it would be worthy of an emotional response. See the dMarie Time Capsule for events by the day or week, or Year By Year for events by the year. Don't put thoughts (or internal dialogue) in quotes or italics. Since you must be in the viewpoint of the character in order to be privy to his thoughts, it isn't necessary to say, "he thought" or set off in any other way. Just maintain tense and point of view (such as third person, past tense). Example: "I don't want to go there," John thought is better written: John didn't want to go there. Use current music (titles and even lyrics) to not only add substance to your time setting, but also to make use of another sense (sound). Read everything you write aloud. Especially dialogue. Keep pen and paper with you at all times. You never know when inspiration will hit or when you'll be stuck in traffic. Make a scene feel "complete" by ending it with dialogue (internal or external) or action from your viewpoint character. Keep paragraphs, sentences and parts of sentences in chronological order. Write sentences in the positive form (avoid double negatives). Vary the length and structure of your sentences. Don't start every sentence with a proper noun or pronoun. (John watched the Arrivals screen for news. He hoped her flight wouldn't be late. He wanted to see her. He had missed her way too much). Instead, try to start each sentence in a paragraph with a different part of speech: John watched the Arrivals screen for news. Surely, her flight wouldn't be late. And she would be there soon. He had missed her. Way too much. If you find yourself stuck in the "he/she" beginning for each sentence, decide to start each sentence with a different letter of the alphabet. It will take some creativity, but hey, that's why you write, right? Focus is what gives your story cohesiveness. You must be able to describe your story in one sentence. Yes. One sentence. Forcing this focus gives you a home base to return to and reflect from, and ensures that you don't drift too much in other directions. The purpose of fiction -- whether short story, novel or children's literature -- is to take the reader away from his life and expose him to a new experience. Hopefully, the reader learns from the experience of the characters, and, at the best, the reader views his own life in a new way. The only way to finish a novel is to put pen to paper (or fingers to keypad) and do it. Keep writing! Want more great tips and techniques? Our Inspiration for Writers Tips and Techniques Workbook is now available for immediate download. Expanded tips, more topics, reproducible worksheets, exercises to practice what you learn and much more--check it out!   Why have we chosen the yellow rose as the symbol for Inspiration for Writers? The yellow rose symbolizes joy, friendship, and the promise of a new beginning. Some sources cite the meaning of the yellow rose as "I Care." We believe that writing should bring joy. We believe the editing relationship must be friendly and should develop into a partnership and a friendship. We believe that through editing, your work takes on the promise of a new beginning-perhaps even a new career. And we take more than just pride in our work. We care that our editing makes your work the best it possibly can be. Check out what we can do for you. (c) copyright 2001 by Sandy Tritt. All rights reserved, except for those listed here. These pages may be reproduced for educational purposes (such as for writer's workshops), as long as this copyright notice and the url: http://tritt.wirefire.com are distributed with the pages. For use in conferences or other uses not mentioned here, please contact Sandy Tritt at Sandy@InspirationForWriters.com for permission and additional resources at no or limited charge. Questions? Comments? Email us at: editor@InspirationForWriters.com If no one responds to your question or comment within 48 hours, please email again. Custom Graphics by: