The other day I was asked what was the one thing that makes the most
difference in writing fiction. If I can choose only one thing, which was the case
in that conversation, it would be to learn to recognize the difference between
passive and active voice.
The reason that having a friend who is good in grammar or an English
teacher edit a manuscript doesn't guarantee a marketable piece of work is that
having impeccable grammar isn't enough. While it doesn't hurt for a writer to
learn the eight parts of speech, it certainly doesn't make them a fiction
writer.
Fiction writers, of any genre, should be able to deliver the basics of
character development, story line with arcs, and an engaging beginning with a
satisfying ending.
But it is voice, I think, that brings the story from the slush pile
to publication. An active voice that shows far more than tells will grab the
reader and hold them though to the end. And, if that reader is an acquisition
editor of your most desired publisher, all the better.
Good writing isn't one skill; it is a skill set. I've mentioned other
skills above that a writer who wants to improve their writing should learn:
character development, strong story line, engaging beginning, satisfying
ending, basic grammar, showing versus telling (and when to do each), and an
active voice. That list isn't complete, but it is a start. Part of a writer's
job is to continue to learn their craft, and perfect it.
What tip do you give people about becoming a writer?
When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
I think one of the important things a budding writer can do is read. All different genres, authors. Think what has made you, the budding writer, enjoy a book. Was the story carried through right to the end without leaving any characters behind? Would you have written the story the same way? If not, why?
ReplyDeleteWanting to write a book isn't enough. You have to have a plan.
And of course, you should read Nadine's Blogs!
Diane Keziah Robertson