Sunday, August 29, 2010

Rules, Rules, Rules

Cut words to make more sense. Drop adverbs for purity. Stop telling, start showing. Put an inciting incident in the first chapter. Know each of the character’s agendas. Use dialogue to drive the story. Find a unique voice. Write an outline. Don’t repeat words. Remove small talk. Stay tight (one of my favorites by the way). Use similes. Watch your tents (this one confuses me). Pace, find balance. Don’t change your POV mid-paragraph. Eye before EEE. Don’t fragment. Use a legible 12-pt font, headers on each page and DOUBLE SPACE… know your rules dammit...........and then break a few.

Who has a rule they would like to share?

This week's opening line...

From what Jurgen could tell, the barn dance was going well.


Munk's "Opening Line" is yours to keep, use it. Munk