Seven Suggestions To Develop a Superb Writing Style

Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing. As you struggle to create your own voice, while focusing on the required standards, you may want to consider the following tips for improving your style and establishing a professional formula for success.

  • Edit your work continuously to eliminate all those extra words. One of the most common mistakes a writer makes is to use too many adverbs and adjectives. You should try to eliminate unnecessary content to keep your crisp and concise. Less is more.

    Example: Does the meaning change if you cut -

    • "past history" to "history"

    • "really unusual" to "unusual"

    • "very impressive" to "impressive"

    • "accurate facts" to "facts"

    • "true reality" to "reality"

    Choose your descriptive words carefully and utilize them in sentences where they will be most effective.

  • Select uncomplicated language to say what you mean as simply as possible. Writers frequently have a more extensive vocabulary than the average reader does. You will not impress people by using long, uncommon words that they do not understand.

    Example: Does the general public know the definition of the first or second word below?

    • exigency or emergency

    • prognosticate or predict

    • contumacious or contrary

    • rancorous or resentful

    • facetious or fun

    Most readers will give up on your writing before they will pick up a dictionary to figure out what you are trying to say.

  • Construct short sentences. Lengthy sentences are usually more difficult for people to read and equally challenging to write. If you find yourself wondering where to place the commas appropriately or whether to use a colon or semi-colon in your sentence, it is probably too long. Using short sentences to express yourself can eliminate common writing problems, like incorrect subject/modifier agreement or improper parallel construction. Your work will be more readable if you write with a balanced combination of short and long sentences.

  • Produce original work that shows your individual voice. Avoid clich?s that are commonly over-used. Readers will be bored with writing that is too familiar and probably lose interest in your work if you say the same things that have been said thousands of times before.Example: Do the following phrases sound unique?
    • "They fell head over heels in love."

    • "He drank like a fish."

    • "She had stars in her eyes."

    • "Curiosity killed the cat."

    • "Every dog has his day."

    Captivate readers by coming up with creative, new metaphors and similes that demonstrate your originality and writing ability.

  • Show, don't tell. Make your readers feel your characters' emotions. Your writing will captivate people if you can show them how shocked your character is, as opposed to just telling them about it.Example: Which phrases below create an image in your mind almost immediately?
    • He shouted at her as he walked out the door. Or he continued to scream obscenities at her even after the window pane shattered when he slammed the door behind him.

    • It seemed like their house was hit by an earthquake. Or the kitchen table trembled as the lights flickered on and off and her treasured crystal collection crashed to the floor before the wave of vibrations came to a halt.

  • Listen to what you write. You should always read everything you write out loud. This will help you decide if you are actually saying what you wanted to say. It will also ensure that your dialogue is true to life. Your characters need to sound like they are actually having a conversation ? one that two ordinary people in their situation might have. So use that slang and expression that you hear around you every day. Learn to really listen to how people express themselves. The closer your writing compares, the better your style.

  • Read Your Work to Someone Else.

    ? Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of the Free Ezine for Writers featuring news, reviews, and continuously updated links to the best resources for writers online like - freelancing & jobs, markets & publishers, literary agents, classes & contests, and more... Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art157.asp

    car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a malware app called SpyLend is posing as a financial tool, hitting 100,000-plus downloads.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Clone Robotics’ Protoclone mimics humans with 1,000 muscles – too human for comfort.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson urges you to use Apple’s App Privacy Report to see what your apps are really up to.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how to smoothly transfer your data from an old laptop to a new one using cloud storage or external drives.
    Kurt the CyberGuy offers tips to safeguard your personal information as scammers become more sophisticated with scam texts and other methods.
    WeRide's unmanned electric delivery van, the Robovan W5, has 194 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry payloads up to about 2,205 pounds
    Kurt the CyberGuy recommends deleting 16 browser extensions immediately in response to a report saying more than 3.2 million web users were affected by a security breach.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    A robotics firm in China claims a robot has performed the world's first humanoid robot front flip, which is significantly more difficult than a backflip.
    A digital ID may be even more secure than a physical ID. Storing your driver's license in your Apple Wallet is an ideal solution for commuters.
    A cybersecurity firm has shed some light on just how common tax scams have become. Kurt the CyberGuy offers his advice for how to protect your refund.
    Lifesize Plans offers immersive walk-throughs that allow customers the opportunity to tour a home's design before construction actually begins.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    A man invested $4 million in bitcoin and lost it all with a single click when he was targeted by a vishing scam, which uses phone calls to trick people.
    Expandable's Touchdown is a designer trailer that promises a luxury off-grid living experience and unfolds into a home in about 15 minutes.
    Major employee screening company data breach affects 3.3 million people. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what happened and gives five ways to protect your data.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals mind-blowing tech that gives you sunlight on demand.
    New malware "FrigidStealer" targets Mac computers. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson offers four ways to stay safe from infostealer malware.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how lab-grown muscles power a biohybrid hand for scalable prosthetics and research.
    Reports of task scams have significantly risen in the past four years, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some red flags.
    iPhones have a hidden folder that eats up storage without you knowing it. Kurt the CyberGuy offers some tricks to free up storage on your device.
    A recent ransomeware attack targeted Zacks, an American investment firm, and a cybercriminal claimed to have stolen records for millions of customers.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Researchers unveiled a new soft prosthetic hand that combines the natural coordination patterns of our fingers with the decoding of motoneuron activity in the spinal column.
    Accidentally deleting a text message on your iPhone or iPad is not a problem if you still need the message. Apple has a built-in way to recover it.
  • Tips for First Time Authors : 2 Easy Steps to Make Your First Book a Success

    Congratulations on writing your first book. That is quite an... Read More

    Writers: Dr. Phil Goes Fishing with Oprah in His Tackle Box, Shouldn?t You?

    Dr. Phil's Life Strategies, #1 New York Times Bestseller catches... Read More

    Writing About Writing

    What am I going to write about?Which topic is the... Read More

    Top Ten Writing Mistakes Made By New Childrens Writers

    Okay. So I'm not David Letterman. But I doubt if... Read More

    Ten Tips To Get Started Writing Your Book

    You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More

    How You Can Find Freelance Editing Jobs

    Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More

    How to Write Words Worth a Thousand Pictures

    Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More

    Hunting for Markets Over the Holidays

    Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More

    Learn to Talk on Paper: The Art of Effective Business Writing

    Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More

    Writing Short Info Reports

    People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More

    The Untold Secrets of Writing Best Selling Childrens Books

    Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More

    How To Self-Publish Your Own Books, Manuals, Reports Or Newsletters

    You can make a lot of money by writing and... Read More

    Check Your English Grammar With This Easy Technique

    As an International language, English has been used widely in... Read More

    Use These 3 Editing Tips to Ensure Your Writing Hits the Bull?s-Eye

    The first step in the writing process is to put... Read More

    Make Your Mark Upon Humanity

    The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More

    Bring Out the Natural Writer in You

    Think you can't write a book that will sell? You... Read More

    Weaving Your Personal Statement Together

    1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More

    Vital Verbs

    Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More

    How You Can Take Advantage of the Increasing Demand for Freelance Online Writers

    The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More

    Write With Passion: 4 Steps To Emotionally Charge A Nonfiction Article

    You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More

    The Dreaded Daily Word Count

    Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More

    How to Have an Effective Reading Group

    Writing leads to reading. Therefore, it's only fair to supply... Read More

    Editing

    EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More

    Plotting By Personality - Work With Your Natural Instincts

    What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More

    Boost Your Income With Trade Journals

    Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More

    Granger limo Chicago ..