Writing… From Good to Great

by | Fundamentals

Unlock your potential! My guide on how to write better covers essentials, common errors, and effective techniques.

Table Of Content

how to write better

Writing Craft Essentials

Understanding Parts of Speech

Want to write better? Start with the basics: parts of speech. These are the building blocks of language. Think of them as the tools in your writer's toolbox. They include adjectives, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections. Mastering these will make your writing clearer and more engaging (LinkedIn).

Here's a quick rundown:

Part of Speech Function Example
Noun Person, place, thing, or idea “Author”
Verb Action or state of being “Write”
Adjective Describes a noun “Creative”
Pronoun Replaces a noun “She”
Adverb Describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb “Quickly”
Conjunction Connects clauses or sentences “And”
Preposition Shows relationship between noun/pronoun and another word “In”
Interjection Expresses strong emotion “Wow!”

Knowing how to use these parts of speech correctly will make your writing more effective. For more tips on crafting sentences, check out our guide on how to write dialogue in a story.

Mastering Sentence Components

Want to take your writing from good to great? Master the components of a sentence. Sentences are made up of subjects, predicates, objects, phrases, and clauses. Understanding these parts will help you create sentences that flow and make sense (LinkedIn).

Here's a closer look:

Component Description Example
Subject The “who” or “what” the sentence is about “The author”
Predicate Tells what the subject does or is “writes daily”
Object Receives the action of the verb “a novel”
Phrase A group of words without a subject and verb “In the morning”
Clause A group of words with a subject and verb “When she writes”

Understanding how these components work together lets you build sentences that are clear and engaging. For example, “The author writes daily in the morning when she writes a novel” works because it uses subjects, predicates, objects, phrases, and clauses correctly.

For more on mastering sentence construction, explore our section on how to write well.

By understanding parts of speech and mastering sentence components, you'll be on your way to writing fiction that resonates with your readers. For more tips, check out our articles on how to write a story and how to write a good hook.

Sharpen Your Writing Skills

Want to write stories that grab readers by the eyeballs and don't let go? Let's talk about two biggies: subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Getting your subject and verb to play nice together is a must. It's like making sure your socks match—simple but crucial. When they don't agree, your sentences sound off, and readers get confused. Here's the lowdown:

Subject Verb Example Sentence
Singular Singular The cat runs fast.
Plural Plural The cats run fast.

Mess this up, and your story's flow hits a speed bump. Keep it smooth, especially in genre fiction where pacing is everything. Need more tips? Check out our guide on how to get better at writing.

Punctuation: The Unsung Hero

Punctuation is like the traffic signals of writing. It tells readers when to stop, go, and slow down. Here's a quick rundown:

  • Period (.): Full stop. End of story.
  • Comma (,): Takes a breather, separates items, or links clauses.
  • Quotation Marks (” “): Wraps around dialogue or quotes.
  • Exclamation Mark (!): Adds oomph!

Get these wrong, and your writing can look sloppy. For example:

Incorrect Correct
She said “I love writing”. She said, “I love writing.”

Little mistakes like these can mess with your message. For more on this, check out Stanford Hume Center. Want more tips? Dive into our article on how to write well.

Wrap-Up

Nail subject-verb agreement and punctuation, and you're halfway to writing gold. These basics make your stories clearer and more engaging. For more on crafting killer fiction, visit our page on how to write a story. Happy writing!

Common Writing Goofs

Even the best writers slip up sometimes. Knowing these common blunders can help you get better at writing.

What Readers Notice

Readers judge your writing by how well you follow the rules, which can change based on who you're writing for and why. A study by Andrea Lunsford and Karen Lunsford in 2008 found common mistakes that bug readers, showing why it's key to proofread before hitting “submit” (Stanford Hume Center).

To dodge these traps:

  • Proofread: Give your work a careful once-over.
  • Know Your Audience: Write in a way that fits your readers.
  • Learn the Rules: Get familiar with grammar basics.

Avoiding Wrong Word Mix-Ups

Using the wrong word can mess up your meaning. For example, “compose” instead of “comprise,” or “prevaricate” instead of “procrastinate” can confuse readers. Be careful with thesauruses and spell checkers to avoid these mix-ups (Stanford Hume Center).

To avoid wrong word errors:

  • Double-check Words: Make sure your words mean what you think they do.
  • Use Context: Read sentences out loud to see if they sound right.
  • Check a Dictionary: Look up words if you're unsure.

Fixing Spelling Slip-Ups

Spelling mistakes happen, even with spell checkers. They might miss homonyms, compound words, and proper nouns. For example, “Vladmir Putin” instead of “Vladimir Putin” might slip through unnoticed (Stanford Hume Center).

To fix spelling mistakes:

  • Proofread Manually: Don't just rely on spell checkers.
  • Watch for Homonyms: Words that sound the same but mean different things.
  • Check Proper Nouns: Names and places often get misspelled.

By focusing on these areas, you can make your writing shine and learn how to write a great story that grabs readers. For more tips on polishing your writing, check out our guide on how to write well.

Polishing Your Writing Style

Want to write commercial fiction that flies off the shelves? Nailing your writing style is key. Let's talk about two biggies: fixing mechanical errors and dodging sentence fragments. Here’s how to level up your writing game.

Handling Mechanical Errors

Mechanical errors can trip up your readers and mess with your story's flow. We're talking about punctuation, capitalization, and spelling goofs. One common slip-up is messing up quotation marks. Forgetting to open or close them can make your dialogue a hot mess. According to the Stanford Hume Center, getting your quotation marks right is a must.

Here's a quick checklist to keep your writing clean:

  • Quotation Marks: Make sure they’re in the right place, with punctuation marks inside the quotes.
  • Commas and Periods: Use them to break up ideas and make your meaning clear. Proper punctuation helps you get your point across just like you intended (LinkedIn).
  • Capitalization: Start sentences and proper nouns with capital letters.
  • Spelling: Use spell checkers and dictionaries to catch those pesky typos.
Common Mechanical Errors Correct Usage
“He said, “Let's go.” “He said, “Let's go.”
she loves paris. She loves Paris.
The book is on the table, It is red. The book is on the table. It is red.

Fixing these errors makes your writing clearer and more professional. For more tips, check out how to improve your writing.

Avoiding Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments are like half-baked cookies—they're just not right. A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb. Fragments happen when a part of a sentence is treated like a whole sentence.

For example, “The pink geranium blooming in its pot.” This sentence is missing a verb, making it a fragment (Stanford Hume Center).

Here’s how to dodge sentence fragments:

  1. Find the Subject and Verb: Make sure each sentence has both.
  2. Combine Fragments: If a fragment is part of a bigger idea, merge it with the main sentence.
  3. Read Aloud: Reading your work out loud can help you catch incomplete sentences.
Sentence Fragments Complete Sentences
Running through the park. She was running through the park.
Because it was raining. We stayed inside because it was raining.
The pink geranium blooming in its pot. The pink geranium was blooming in its pot.

Avoiding fragments makes your writing smoother and more engaging. For more on crafting clear sentences, check out how to write well.

By focusing on these areas, you can turn your writing from good to great. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to use resources like how to write a story and how to write dialogue in a story to sharpen your skills.

Making Your Writing Crystal Clear

Writing fiction that grabs readers and keeps them hooked is all about clarity. Clear writing lets readers dive into your story without getting lost or confused. Let's talk about two big ways to make your writing clearer: using active voice and ditching jargon.

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice

Active voice is like a breath of fresh air—it's direct, lively, and easier to read. In active voice, the subject does the action, making your sentences punchier. Check out these examples:

  • Active Voice: “The detective cracked the case.”
  • Passive Voice: “The case was cracked by the detective.”

See the difference? The first sentence has more oomph because the detective is doing something. According to Zapier, writers often overuse passive voice, but active voice packs more punch.

Here's a quick comparison:

Voice Type Example
Active Voice “The hero saved the day.”
Passive Voice “The day was saved by the hero.”

For more tips on writing like a pro, check out our guide on how to write well.

Cutting Out the Jargon

Jargon is like a secret code that can leave readers scratching their heads. When you're writing commercial fiction, keep it simple. Avoid jargon unless it's absolutely necessary and you explain it well. Readers want to enjoy the story, not wrestle with complicated terms. According to Zapier, it's important to give readers all the info they need to understand your content.

Here's an example:

  • With Jargon: “The protagonist utilized a deus ex machina to resolve the conflict.”
  • Without Jargon: “The protagonist found an unexpected solution to resolve the conflict.”

The second sentence is clear and easy to understand, no matter who’s reading.

To make your writing even clearer, focus on being concise. For more on this, visit our article on concise writing strategies.

By sticking to active voice and avoiding jargon, you'll make your writing clearer and more engaging. The goal is to tell a story that readers can follow and enjoy without getting tripped up. For more tips on improving your writing, explore our resources on how to improve your writing and how to write a good story.

Effective Writing Techniques

Writing commercial genre fiction that sells isn't just about spinning a good yarn; it's about mastering two key techniques: giving reliable info and keeping it tight. Let's dig into how you can nail these.

Providing Reliable Information

Trust is everything. Your readers need to believe in you, and that starts with presenting solid, accurate info. They judge you on how well you know your stuff and how you back it up. Here’s how to keep them on your side:

  • Do Your Homework: Before you even think about writing, get your facts straight. Use trustworthy sources and double-check everything.
  • Quote the Pros: When you make a claim, back it up with research or expert opinions. This not only makes you look good but also makes your content richer. For instance, when talking about common writing mistakes, I often cite studies by Andrea Lunsford and Karen Lunsford.
  • Fill the Gaps: Make sure your content covers all bases. Answer questions your readers might have and leave no stone unturned.

For more on making your writing top-notch, check out our guide on how to write well.

Concise Writing Strategies

Good writing is clear and to the point. Here’s how to keep it snappy:

  • Cut the Fluff: Get rid of words or phrases that don’t add anything. Instead of “in order to,” just say “to.”
  • Go Active: Active voice makes your writing clearer and more direct. Instead of “The book was written by me,” say “I wrote the book.” Check out our article on how to improve your writing for more tips.
  • Ditch the Jargon: Use simple language that everyone can get. If you have to use technical terms, explain them.
  • Keep It Short: Break long sentences into shorter ones. This makes your writing easier to read.

Here’s a quick table to show how concise writing can sharpen your sentences:

Wordy Sentence Concise Sentence
In order to achieve success, you need to work hard. To succeed, you need to work hard.
There are many different ways to improve your writing. Many ways can improve your writing.
At this point in time, we should begin the project. We should begin the project now.

By focusing on reliable info and concise writing, you can seriously up your writing game. For more tips, check out our resources on how to write a story and how to write a good hook. Happy writing!

Boost Your Vocabulary

Want to spice up your writing? Expanding your vocabulary is a game-changer, especially if you're diving into commercial genre fiction. Here’s how I keep my word bank fresh and exciting.

Read Everything

Reading is like a treasure hunt for new words. When I dive into books from different genres, I stumble upon words used in unique ways. This not only helps me understand them better but also lets me weave them into my own writing style. It's like adding new colors to your palette.

Whether it’s a gripping mystery, a futuristic sci-fi, or a swoon-worthy romance, each genre has its own lingo. Here are some genres I love exploring:

I keep a notebook handy to jot down any unfamiliar words. Later, I look them up and try to use them in my own sentences. It’s a simple trick that works wonders.

Use That Dictionary

A dictionary is your best friend when it comes to learning new words. Whenever I encounter a word I don’t know, I look it up. This not only helps me understand its meaning but also its roots, making it easier to remember.

I use both traditional dictionaries and online tools. Here’s my step-by-step approach:

  1. Look Up the Definition: Get the basic meaning.
  2. Check the Origin: Learn where the word comes from.
  3. Read Example Sentences: See how it’s used in different contexts.
  4. Synonyms and Antonyms: Find related words to expand your vocabulary even more.
Tool Type Example
Traditional Dictionary Merriam-Webster
Online Dictionary Dictionary.com
Thesaurus Thesaurus.com

For more tips on improving your writing, check out how to get better at writing.

By reading widely and using dictionaries, you can make your stories pop with vivid and engaging language. For more resources, explore topics like how to write dialogue in a story and how to write a good hook.

Boost Your Writing Skills

Free Tools to Up Your Game

When I want to sharpen my writing, I dive into a treasure trove of free online resources. These gems cover everything from grammar basics to the finer points of crafting fiction. Here are some of my top picks:

  • Grammar Girl: Quick and dirty tips for better writing, tackling everything from common grammar goofs to tricky topics.
  • The Guide to Grammar and Writing: A deep dive into grammar with detailed explanations and exercises.
  • Paradigm Online Writing Assistant: Helps with writing assignments, from brainstorming to final edits.

Here's a handy table to sum up these resources:

Resource Main Features
Grammar Girl Quick tips, Grammar rules, Writing advice
The Guide to Grammar and Writing Detailed explanations, Exercises, Writing guides
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant Writing process, Brainstorming, Editing assistance

For fiction writing tips, blogs like CopyBlogger, Write to Done, and Problogger are goldmines. They dish out practical advice and strategies to boost your copywriting chops, which is key for crafting gripping stories.

Dive into Online Courses

Free resources are great, but online courses have been a game-changer for me. These courses cover everything from creative writing and poetry to essays and fiction. Here are a few that have taken my writing to the next level:

  • Coursera: Offers courses from top universities on various writing topics.
  • edX: Provides access to writing courses from places like Harvard and Berkeley.
  • Udemy: Features a range of writing courses, often at wallet-friendly prices.

Check out this table for some popular online writing courses:

Platform Course Example Focus Area
Coursera Creative Writing Specialization Fiction, Poetry, Memoir
edX English Grammar and Style Grammar, Style
Udemy Writing With Confidence: Writing Beginner to Writing Pro General Writing Skills

These courses come with video lectures, reading materials, and assignments to hammer home the lessons. They also offer a structured learning environment, which can be a real motivator.

To dig deeper into fiction writing techniques, check out our articles on how to write a story, how to write dialogue in a story, and how to improve your writing. These resources have been game-changers for me, helping me polish my craft and create stories that pop.

By tapping into these free resources and diving into online courses, I've been able to keep improving my writing skills and create stories that connect with readers. For more tips and strategies, visit our guide on how to write well.

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