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Writing tips!
Chatterbox: Inkwell
Writing tips!
Writing tips!
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This is a place to share your writing tips and exchange them with other people! Have fun!
Xiǎo tùzǐ says "biko". Bike? Nico? Xiǎo tùzǐ, be more clear!
submitted by Mei-xue (May-shreh), Fairyland
(August 4, 2016 - 4:07 pm)
(August 4, 2016 - 4:07 pm)
Ok, here is problem I have with a lot of CB writing:
The length. Everything is so long. I am fine with long stories, but giant posts are kind of annoying. I mean, it is a lot of work, and I appreciate how good they all are, but short, action-filled posts are way more fun.
This is my opinion. I just want to put this out there.
(August 4, 2016 - 6:39 pm)
Really? Because I'm the absolute opposite. When someone makes a long post, it reflects on how much they are dedicated to whatever thread, and shows that they care.
(August 5, 2016 - 6:23 am)
I like long and short posts.
The thing with short posts.... But you have to be careful. If it's going to be short, it has to be good. If you just have one thing happens right after another for example...that is what really annoys me. Example off the top of my head (just making something up here): I'm feeling happy. Suddenly, the table explodes. Maria runs away from me and starts screaming. I run to the door. Flying monkeys come out of nowhere and start picking people up. Oh no, they took my friend! What a bad day. And my sister is about to fall off one of them. "Remember I love you" she whispers. Then she falls. Noooooo! I will get you, monkeys!
Sorry if I start to rant. Stuff like that has no writing skill. Because there is a difference between flash fiction, which I love to read (and I know you love it too, Gared) and trying to cram too much action into a few sentences.
(August 5, 2016 - 8:28 am)
I mean well writen short stories. I like to break large posts into smaller posts, and maybe change perspective. That way, I can get posts out more often, since it takes less time. Sorry about how mean I sounded: I like how much work is put into the longer posts, but I like more manigable chuncks.
(August 5, 2016 - 9:22 am)
What irritates me the most is that people can't take the two minutes needed to proofread their writing, stories, or just everyday posts. We could all make an effort (myself included) to have more grammatically accurate work. Take initiative and ask someone if you don't know how to spell a word or how to correctly punctuate a sentence.
But then again, this thread is for writing tips, not about what irritates us. I'll see if I can dig up some tips I wrote for Mei-xue a long time ago.
(August 5, 2016 - 12:35 pm)
It's mostly the Kyngdom people...
(August 5, 2016 - 7:22 pm)
Interesting! I actually am a fan of long posts. It shows that there was thought, care, and dedication put into it. You can't expect any book, story, or RP to have all action bits, and though they might be fun, so much gets tiresome after a time. With my favorite writers and stories on CB, I get overjoyed when they have written a long post, because then I can curl up with my laptop and read it! Shorter posts can be cool, but I honestly like the longer ones that show more effort.
(August 5, 2016 - 11:20 am)
I mean lots and lots of short posts.
(August 5, 2016 - 12:36 pm)
I found them now!
So basically, do everything Shoshannah said to me on the first page, just adjusted to fit your characters.
And more advanced....
Don't put too much description, but some is good. And make sure that your descriptions aren't one long sentence, like the below:
Hwa gazed at Rakshasa. The lady was tall, with long violet hair, lacerated with black streaks, in a loose braid; skin so pale that it looked unhealthy; commanding, searing purple eyes; thick black lashes; and black armor closely fitting her slim figure; a scythe grasped loosely in one hand.
That's a lot to take in. It's very confusing and disorienting, also amateurish. Here's what it should look like:
Hwa gazed at Rakshasa. The lady was tall and slim, with long violet hair in a loose braid. [The streaks bit is unnecessary for now, maybe write it in later] Her skin was so pale that it looked unhealthy and her cruel fuchsia eyes glared commandingly at Hwa. [The lashes are unnecessary as well, write them in later: "Rakshasa batted her thick black lashes"] She wore close-fitting black armor and loosley grasped a scythe.
There. Much longer, but much better. Next tip: Try to have parallel structure. Here's an example of NOT parallel structuer:
Hwa mumbled, "I like to draw, and writing, and to create."
So dissonant. Parallel structure is the following:
Hwa mumbled, "I like to draw, to write, and to create." [Without italics, of course. They're just there for educational purposes.]
It could also be:
Hwa mumbled, "I like drawing, writing, and creating." [Again about the italics.]
Next tip: Try to have intelligent vocabulary. I think that's enough for now, I'll provide an example for vocabulary soon if you need it.
Next tip: Have variety. In the example above, for instance, Rakshasa has both violet eyes and violet hair. But perhaps, when describing her, only use violet once. Use another variant of purple to be more specific and help the reader envision her better.
(August 5, 2016 - 12:41 pm)
Those are good tips! I find I often get way into description/poetic language in my writing, and that kind of obstructs the flow of the story.
(August 6, 2016 - 11:46 am)
I'm glad I could help!
Hallia says verv. I remember in one Letterbox, Cricket said he liked the word "verve." Maybe Hallia does, too!
(August 6, 2016 - 2:33 pm)
Good tips
(August 7, 2016 - 8:49 am)
TOP, TOP, TOP!
(August 6, 2016 - 10:36 am)