There are rules for writing, and if we follow them we can improve our prose.  Nancy Lamb wrote a great article in Writer’s Digest March/April 2009 that gives good advice, with examples.  This blog is just a small sample of what we can do to make our words have more punch.

1. If you’re writing fiction, don’t let the truth get in the way.  Often we sprinkle our stories with things that really happened, making it more plausible and real. But if the facts aren’t interesting throw them out and use your imagination.

2. We’ve all heard “less is more.” Extra words are just that, extra words, they slow down the prose. Example: sauntering works better than walking slowly.

3. Avoid a passive voice. I struggle with this one. Use active verbs and show the action, don’t just tell the readers what is happening. Let them experience it in your writing.

4. Watch your word placement. Most writers naturally place the adjective in the right place, but if you read the sentence aloud and it doesn’t flow or seems stilted, see if moving the words around would work.

5. Beware of the -ly words.  All my English teachers told me that -ly words (adjectives) are lazy and can be replaced with active verbs and nouns.  Example: He gladly accepted the check. -or- He smiled and accepted the check.

6. Paint pictures with your words. Express not only a sense of feeling, but a sense of place and time in your stories. Write so the reader can see vivid pictures in their minds.

7. Writing has a rhythm. Mix it up so it doesn’t become boring.  Short sentences move faster than longer ones. Mix dialog in with paragraphs of description.  Read your work aloud and listen to the rhythm. Does it move along or slow down in spots. Make sure the story is moving like you want it to.  Lamb says “Listen to the music of the words.”

8.  No cliches, please. Recently there was a page in the AARP magazine about 50 phrases that have come up through the generations. In Feisty Family Values Grandmere Morgan is often quoted as saying, “don’t look back, we’re not going that way.” It is a mix of old and new phrasing. Create new and interesting phrasing in your story.

9. Repetitive words are boring to the reader.  Mix them up. Use the thesaurus. Print your work to edit it and you’ll be able to see if every other sentence begins with a character name or She.  “Regina did this” and “Regina did that” isn’t going to move the story along. I know I’ve said this before, but “read aloud.” Sometimes you just don’t catch the fact that you used the word gazed 4 times on one page, but believe me, you’ll hear it when you read it out loud.

10. Watch out for “it.” Lamb says “Beware of IT“. If you think about it you’ll agree, some it’s really just hang there.  When you say ‘it’ in a sentence will the reader know what ‘it’ is?  It’s obvious to you as a writer, but what about someone who is reading the story for the first time?

Once you’ve got your story down on the page, go back and check to see if you followed these rules.  If you feel you need a more comprehensive list, go to The Art & Craft of Storytelling by Nancy Lamb.