GOLDEN RULES OF WRITING

When you sit down to write your first draft, your creativity should be uninhibited. Yet, applying the rules of fiction writing is vital when it comes to getting published.

Talk about places you know. Don’t attempt to elaborate on the particulars of city life if you grew up on a farm. This only works if you’ve spent much time and research on location.

Your character's determination should be built on problems. Based on your protagonist’s temperament, a number of outcomes are possible. Readers love seeing individuals in books come full-circle and overcome obstacles.

Multidimensional characters resonate with readers. It’s okay to pattern them after people you know, or have observed from a distance. Your pages should include what characters look like, their dialect, what they are thinking.

Avoid generalizations when you can be specific. If there is a meeting place at noon, don’t write about, or near. When it comes to using name brands, be careful; this could date your book.

Show more than tell. This is achieved through reactions, emotions and actions. Example: Sherry looked surprised. Better: Sherry’s eyebrows lifted when she heard about the layoff.

Sidestep the use of parenthesis. Avoid using them at all cost.  Don’t include anything in your manuscript that tempts the reader to bypass.

What writing rules do you follow?