Comments on: Common Writing Mistakes

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What’s My Line? | WriterGurl INK. — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:22:22 +0000

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Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:20:10 +0000

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By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:36:54 +0000

Terry, I would think it’s even harder in nonfiction to keep the pace moving and avoid long passages of exposition. I have read some of these books myself that are so well-written that they are as gripping as a novel. The book you just reviewed above sounds like one of these.

By: Terry Caszatt

Terry Caszatt — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 01:23:23 +0000

Valuable post, Nancy. These are professional markers every writer should think about. It’s very easy to bore the reader, so we need to be on our toes each time we pick up the pen, or hit the keys. I just finished reading Berlin Diary by William L. Shirer, admittedly a non-fiction work, but in casual retrospect I can see how he manages to fulfill nearly all of your suggestions. The setting is always there – the cities, villages, of war-torn Europe – and vividly drawn. The characters, quickly limned as in a diary setting, are always clear: likable, or very unlikable. Think Goring, think Hitler. Of course Shirer will tell us facts and figures (or give a brief flashback), but he has a way of setting all of it inside the action (showing) that makes it so interesting. His language is that of a great reportorial master: despite the grimness, the horror of war, he never stoops to the casual vulgarity, but somehow makes the brutality, the sick inhumanity of it all seem even worse by the understated quality of tone and word.

It would be a good idea for all of us to aspire to your seven hallmarks – perhaps carve them on a maple stick, carry it with us as a reminder to get our game up a notch.

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:21:58 +0000

Exactly, Loralee. Contest entries or submissions to editors should make one hone their work to its best. Final judges in these contests are often editors and agents. It can be a first step in the door.

By: Loralee Lillibridge

Loralee Lillibridge — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:15:19 +0000

Wonderful post, Nancy! So many helpful ways to make a story better and keep the reader’s interest, not only in a contest entry, but in a book you want to sell to an editor. Thanks for sharing.

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:52:30 +0000

Yes, it definitely changes our view of older stories with long passages of description. Stories have to move faster and have more white space these days. Of course, it’s always easier to point out what’s wrong in someone else’s work and not see the same mistakes in ours.

By: Diane Schultz

Diane Schultz — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:39:16 +0000

Wonderful, Nancy! Thanks for sharing your insights. I think it will be helpful not only on submitting to contests, but when I go back and look at older stories. Today’s reader has changed and you said it so well.

By: Nancy J. Cohen

Nancy J. Cohen — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:36:40 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, Patricia!

By: Patricia Awapara

Patricia Awapara — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:29:44 +0000

Great post!