Useful tools for new Authors

[Rabbit1]

Guide to Grammar and Writing
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm


Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
http://www.m-w.com/


Spell Check--
http://www.spellcheck.net/

Hope these help you

[Rabbit1]

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF WRITING


Simple tips that will help you write like a professional Web author:



SIN 1: Incorrect Punctuations

Punctuations are an important part of any story. It's funny how many writers forget how they work and why they're used. One of the more often made mistakes is the use of quotations within punctuations.

Example: Correct ("He loves you," she said.) Incorrect ("He Loves you", she said.)

All punctuations should be enclosed within the quotations, no matter what they are. (!), (?), (,), (.) Always inside the (").

Commas! When in doubt always use a comma. Commas help the reader to take a mental break, they help to keep the flow of the story going comfortably. Many writers under use this lowly little punctuation mark, but shouldn't.



SIN 2: Spelling

You'd be amazed how many writers don't use their spell checkers. Almost every computer comes with a word processor, and if the one you're using doesn't, you should consider upgrading your system.

No matter how much you try to proofread your own work (even with a spell checker), you'll most likely miss something. That's pretty normal. When you write a story, you see what you meant, not necessarily what you wrote. That's why a proofreader-editor can save a story.



Don't go it alone; hook up with another writer or someone from the proofreader/editor web site above. You'll have more satisfied readers, guaranteed.



SIN 3: Formatting your story for the Web

No one likes to read one long paragraph. Try to break up your paragraphs into manageable segments. And, since most visitors read your web stories on their computers (even when they download them), it is a must to leave white space between the paragraphs. That means an empty space between paragraphs. (It's much easier on the eyes.)

Good formatting is essential for easy reading. It is advisable to break out "dialog" as separate paragraphs, and/or sentences with white space between them too.

Another mistake is to use your word processor's indent. Indented sentences format funny when they're converted from word processors to text formats. You can't post a readable word processor format onto the Internet, only HTML or text TXT. ANY OTHER FORMAT HAS TO BE DOWNLOADED AND COULD CONTAIN A VIRUS. And that's a sure way to scare away readers.



SIN 4: People speak naturally, don't they?

When you have dialog in your story, consider how people really talk. Use slang to make the characters more realistic. A stilted formal dialog kills a story almost as fast as bad punctuation or misspelled words. Consider substituting "they're" for "they are' or "she'd" for "she would" or "can't" for "can not" or "they'll" for "they will" etc. People don't talk in formal speech patterns, not in real life anyway. Neither should your characters, not if you want people to read your next story.



SIN 5: Over using names

Try not to use the same words in a paragraph - and never "over use" a character's name. A story where almost every story starts out with the heroine's name or has it where there should have been a less, redundant "he" or "she" will turn most reader off sooner or later. Throw in "she" or "he" - "hers" or "his" if it won't confuse the reader as to who you're talking about. A good rule of thumb is to only use a character's name once in a paragraph or less if possible.



SIN 6: Using more words than necessary

Don't use the same gimmick over and over again. The word "Then" is WAY over used. Example: "He then got up and moved into the other room..." (No reason to insert the word "then" but you'd be surprised how many writers do just that.) Consider the shortest sentence to tell your story, cut out superfluous words; it'll make for a better read.



SIN 7: Not re-read your story

ALWAYS RE-READ YOUR STORY! No one, no matter how many stories they've written should EVER pass on a story without reading it again at least once. Typos and misspelled words will jump out at you on a re-read. You'll even find whole words or sentences that don't make sense when you take a second look at what you've written.

While you're re-reading; be critical, look for words or phrases that you can eliminate. Many times a sentence will read much better when you remove extraneous words. If they don't add to the story they should be cut. You'll find that when you look at your work with a critical eye you can ALWAYS make the story flow smoother than it did in the first draft.

That's how the really great web authors produce what you have enjoyed reading. Those stories are what got you writing in the first place. Just remember the stories that you stopped reading because there were too many things wrong with them. Don't let that happen to your efforts. It's not that hard to produce a good story.

[Mad Lews]

Might we add double, or triple posting to the list ,

It is good to know the rules, but also great to know when to break them.
Punctuation can be used to make a sentence deliberately vague which on occasion is quite useful in a story.
Spelling can and should be twisted out of shape when a character speaks in a regional dialect.
Have to agree with re-reading though I constantly pick out new mistakes but usually not until the story is posted.

Good points though for the writin public
Mad Lews

[Rabbit1]

Might we add double, or triple posting to the list ,

It is good to know the rules, but also great to know when to break them.
Punctuation can be used to make a sentence deliberately vague which on occasion is quite useful in a story.
Spelling can and should be twisted out of shape when a character speaks in a regional dialect.
Have to agree with re-reading though I constantly pick out new mistakes but usually not until the story is posted.

Good points though for the writin public
Mad Lews

yes we may add ---anything to help new authors ---thanks Mad

[H Dean]

I will throw in a quick tip, as well.

One of the best things I have learned is not to try to publish too much at once. Re-reading and correcting long portions of a story tends to lead to signifigant errors. So, break your tale into managable chapters. Once your story is in chapter form correct it two chapters at a time, submitting only the earliest chapter for publication. Give it a day or two and then repeat this method. It will eliminate a lot of mistakes.

Also, it is always a good thing not to submit a story too soon. You will find that letting it sit, before proof-reading, will lend to a much better constructed story. A good proof-reading a week after you correct and edit will often lead to signifigant changes and a better read.

Finally, I like to correct as I write. Most stories are not written in one sitting. Unless you are able to manage this you may want to read what you have written before you add to a story. I tend to write a few chapters at a time, then take a break. When I come back to the story I proof what I have already written, correcting mistakes and editing as I do so. Only then do I begin crafting additions to my tale.

[Rabbit1]

I will throw in a quick tip, as well.

One of the best things I have learned is not to try to publish too much at once. Re-reading and correcting long portions of a story tends to lead to signifigant errors. So, break your tale into managable chapters. Once your story is in chapter form correct it two chapters at a time, submitting only the earliest chapter for publication. Give it a day or two and then repeat this method. It will eliminate a lot of mistakes.

Also, it is always a good thing not to submit a story too soon. You will find that letting it sit, before proof-reading, will lend to a much better constructed story. A good proof-reading a week after you correct and edit will often lead to signifigant changes and a better read.

Finally, I like to correct as I write. Most stories are not written in one sitting. Unless you are able to manage this you may want to read what you have written before you add to a story. I tend to write a few chapters at a time, then take a break. When I come back to the story I proof what I have already written, correcting mistakes and editing as I do so. Only then do I begin crafting additions to my tale.

Thanks and I agree

also by submitting in chapters it keep your story on the news longer instead of published then buried by new stories and updates -----Thus you will get more views and more reviews

[ElectricBadger]

aye, all very good advice...and all of which I'm horribly guilty of not abiding, I do the frenzy-writing thing and publish it all without nearly enough review. Someday I'm going to re-edit it all...really!

[H Dean]

aye, all very good advice...and all of which I'm horribly guilty of not abiding, I do the frenzy-writing thing and publish it all without nearly enough review. Someday I'm going to re-edit it all...really!

That would explain why you wrote about the girl's penis that time!

[ElectricBadger]

Uhhhhh...what?

[Mad Lews]

Uhhhhh...what?

Must say I love the new boots, do they come with a matching outfit?
Mad

[H Dean]

Uhhhhh...what?

Twas a silly joke, suggesting you made a mistake in your haste.

[annamk1977]

A very useful tool if you want to start real writing and develope long plots and all this stuff can be found here:

http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/


edit:
sry, already mentioned ion software:
http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=13404