Grammar is, quite possibly, the most important part of your writing. It is, after all, what conveys your idea or message. Many writers, professional and beginners alike, will agree that their skills could be refreshed every now and again. You could consider going back to...
The subject of grammar can be quite a stressful one; not only is it complicated, it can also be quite confusing. That said, the correct use of grammar is critical to the success of your writing so use these simple tips to brush up on...
Grammar checkers that are included with word processing programs are great tools for picking up on minor issues, but they don’t catch everything. Here are 10 issues that they could be missing:
Too Many Adverbs – do you really need them all or can you use...
Have you ever wondered why you are told, as a writer, to always keep a notebook handy? The reason is simple; your best ideas will most likely come to you when you least expect them to, maybe while you are taking a shower, or just before...
More often than not it's not what you say, but rather how you say it. A couple of complimentary words, with the correct manner of speaking, can turn into a sarcastic put-down. Of the eight components of speech, the subtext is likely the most vital...
There are many villains in literature, but those who follow, in my opinion, are the epitome of evil. They have the characteristics that present-day villains are based upon.
Satan in Paradise Lost by John Milton. Year: 1667 - The ultimate villain in literature. Milton's continuation of this fallen angel is a...
There’s a reason why we indulge in guilty pleasures behind closed doors. For instance, some people like crocheting, even if it hurts their image. Others like watching a certain TV show, such Toddlers and Tiaras or Keeping Up With the Kardashians. But for many readers...
Nowadays, when you look at adult or young adult romance books, there’s often sexual encounters, or even sex, somewhere in the pages. Whenever someone notices their true love interest, it’s usually by their looks. A friend the protagonist knows and truly cares about can begin...
Every novel that has ever been written involves characters interacting with one another. Even when a novel's storyline is around loneliness, you may find a character has a relationship with an inanimate object or animal. Without character interaction, the story cannot move forward, and there...
When writing my debut novel, Freedom for Me: A Chinese Yankee, I struggled mightily with the opening chapter. I knew I wanted to place my protagonist, Thomas, in the middle of a battle to give the book a dramatic opening and lay the groundwork for...
