The Proper Way to Use Adjectives (Part 1)
Adjectives are often abused and misused. As an editor, I frequently see writers piling adjective after adjective before a single noun. This makes for extremely cramped passages, and writers usually justify it by stating they have a “descriptive style.” There’s nothing wrong with that. However, there’s a way to write with a descriptive style, and…
Writing versus Storytelling
Most writers assume writing is storytelling when, in actuality, writing and storytelling are two separate crafts. I’ve noticed most authors are either one or the other but rarely both. For instance, J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and Rick Riordan are exceptional storytellers but average writers. April Genevieve Tucholke, Maggie Stiefvater, and Tahereh Mafi, on the other…
Mr. Subordinate Clause
All of my revisions are done, and I’m currently writing (new scenes) and editing (old scenes). I’m eradicating traces of my old writing style from chapters I penned ages ago, and a common syntax issue caught my eye. I’ve seen it in writing besides my own. Plenty of writing, actually. Writers! Try to avoid this…
Subjective versus Objective Literary Merit
I noticed a lot of people don’t understand the difference between subjective and objective literary judgement (aka measuring literary quality). Here’s a list breaking everything down: Subjective Art – emotion, theme Story – the internal journey the main character takes (isn’t limited by genre or target audience) Style – a writer’s way with words Objective Craft…
Syntax & Sil-uh-buhls
It is critical a writer understands how to diagram a sentence, understands how the parts of speech work, and understands their relation to crafting strong, precise language. The right combination of syntax and syllables, the right combination of varying sentences, creates dynamic, lyrical writing. Regardless of style, the key to lyricism lies in the structure…
Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect
My first post, baby! Oh yeah. Anyway, I figured before posting about craft, I should pen an entry about why craft matters. As I mentioned in the “About” section, I received my secondary education in schools for the arts. “Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.” My former band director said this. Years later,…
Erica Martin 