{"sf1_id":131191,"sf2_id":"deP5Pg5m","title":"Writing Tips","author":"Arcane Reno","words":1503,"posted_at":"2010-03-13T00:53:00.000Z","tags":["Advice","Help","No-Yiff","Stories","Writers block","writing","writing skills"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/131191-writing-tips","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/deP5Pg5m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/18/11/18112f35-9113-414e-a8b4-0779f9c6a98c","description":"#1 of Writing Tips","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\n**Tips for Aspiring Writers**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nI don't consider myself an expert by any means, but I have learned a few things that can help anyone who is looking to get into writing.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nFirst off, use a decent word processor! \u0026nbsp;Writing in things like wordpad is fine, but you'll be much better off downloading something like Open Office. \u0026nbsp;It's 100 percent free, and has essentially all the same features as the expensive Microsoft Word program. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nUse the spell check feature, and re-read what you've written. It also helps to have someone else read over it before you post it. \u0026nbsp;Everyone makes mistakes, it's when they don't fix them that it gets irritating. \u0026nbsp;Spell check won't catch incorrectly used words, and a second pair of eyes really helps. \u0026nbsp;Sound things out in your head as you read. \u0026nbsp;Does it make sense?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nSave your work periodically as you write. \u0026nbsp;There is nothing more frustrating than writing a great scene and then having some random error delete it on you.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nDon't do the two things I just did. \u0026nbsp;Avoid using numbers as part of your writing (unless it's a really long string of digits.) \u0026nbsp;It's not strictly improper, but it doesn't look as good as typing it out as a word. \u0026nbsp;Also, avoid editing as you write! \u0026nbsp;It's a bad habit, one I sadly cannot break. \u0026nbsp;You are far better off putting down what you want to write, then coming back and fixing the mistakes later. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nUse paragraphs to spread things out. \u0026nbsp;People love to see white space, it's easy on the eyes. \u0026nbsp; It's easy to fall into the trap of writing large blocks of text. \u0026nbsp;Try to find places that it makes sense and insert a space. \u0026nbsp;My usual habit is to use single spaces for small time gaps or action shifts, double spaces for a scene change or larger time lapse, and double spaces with an indent and bolded first word for large time lapses. \u0026nbsp;Find whatever spacing method you like best. \u0026nbsp;Also, whenever you have dialog sections, insert a paragraph or at least a line break between the speakers.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nExample: \u0026nbsp;\"How did you know it was me?\" asked John.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nSally smiled. \u0026nbsp;\"You always wear that same spicy cologne when you're feeling romantic.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWatch your tenses! \u0026nbsp;There is nothing more irritating than reading a passage that flips its verbs all over the place. \u0026nbsp;Poor verbs! \u0026nbsp;They don't know what's happening, and neither do your readers. \u0026nbsp;Again, sound things out in your head. \u0026nbsp;Is the action happening presently? \u0026nbsp;Is your character ABOUT to do something? \u0026nbsp;Did they do it two seconds ago? \u0026nbsp;What is wrong with this sentence?\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nShe brought the car to a stopped, jumps out and started scream for help. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nEverything is wrong with it. \u0026nbsp;Pick a tense and stick with it until the end of the sentence, don't switch midstream. \u0026nbsp;It is okay if you change tenses in a following sentence, as long as it keeps the consistency. \u0026nbsp;In some cases, with longer, more complex sentences, you can switch before the period, but you must have a comma in between to break up the switch, and the tenses need to follow a logical order of progression. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nExample: \u0026nbsp;\"Oh no!\" she shouted as she ran out of the store, starting to wave her arms frantically.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nTry to use lots of different words. \u0026nbsp;If you keep using the same terms to describe things, it starts to sound really dry. \u0026nbsp;Use a thesaurus if you are unsure of what else to put down, or rethink your sentence. \u0026nbsp;You can also do things like using CAPS and _italics_ for emphasis on certain words. \u0026nbsp;It lends a nice bit of flavour to your writing, and makes it pop and sizzle. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nKnow your punctuation! \u0026nbsp;Punctuation is your friend. \u0026nbsp;If your characters are talking for more than a minute without a single pause, there's probably something wrong. \u0026nbsp;Think of how you would say it. \u0026nbsp;Commas indicate the short pause, periods the end of a sentence. \u0026nbsp;Are they asking a question? \u0026nbsp;Are they getting excited? \u0026nbsp;Maybe they have odd speech patterns, you can chop words with apostrophes. \u0026nbsp;If you are writing descriptive or narrative text, watch how long the sentences go. \u0026nbsp;In some cases, such as action, short sentences can work very well. \u0026nbsp;In other cases, a longer sentence is better, but still needs the appropriate pauses.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nPerspective matters. \u0026nbsp;Who's telling the story? \u0026nbsp;If it's first person, they won't know what's going on inside other characters' heads. \u0026nbsp;If it's third person, how much knowledge do they have? \u0026nbsp;Are they omniscient? \u0026nbsp;Or are they still stuck in one character's viewpoint? \u0026nbsp;You can also spice up your story by having multiple viewpoints from different characters. \u0026nbsp;Just make sure you have some kind of separation between them. \u0026nbsp; I don't recommend switching the narrative perspective though. \u0026nbsp;That might work for some people, but I personally am not a fan of it. \u0026nbsp;Try it if you wish, but I advise sticking with a single narrative view throughout the story. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n**Action Sequence Tips**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAction scenes are one of the harder things to write. \u0026nbsp;The trick is to strike a balance in how much description you have. \u0026nbsp;You want to avoid being overly descriptive, as blow by blow gets old really fast. \u0026nbsp;However, you also need to give your readers a good idea of what is happening. \u0026nbsp;Some people like to write in completely abstract form (using names of sword forms for example.) \u0026nbsp;Others prefer to use straight up description. \u0026nbsp;It's your choice, find what works for you.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nKnow exactly how you want the scene to play out before you write it. \u0026nbsp;Keep a clear picture of the action in your head and describe it accurately. \u0026nbsp;Remember, if you can't picture what's going on, neither can your readers.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nWatch your pacing. \u0026nbsp;Don't have objects magically appearing out of nowhere. \u0026nbsp;If someone gets a sword, describe them drawing it or otherwise picking it up. \u0026nbsp;If they are suddenly just swinging a sword around, it's a bit jarring. \u0026nbsp;Also, watch your relative positioning. \u0026nbsp;Are characters suddenly vanishing? \u0026nbsp;If someone walks through a place where someone else had been standing, make sure the other person isn't suddenly no longer taking up physical space. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;Description of where the people and objects are is key. \u0026nbsp;If you want to give a good idea of what is happening, make sure your audience knows where the characters are in relation to each other. \u0026nbsp;What are their surroundings like? \u0026nbsp;Is it a one on one on a beach? \u0026nbsp;A battle scene? \u0026nbsp;A shootout in a warehouse? \u0026nbsp;All these things are going to factor into the action. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n**Sex Scene Tips**\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nTry not to get too \\*ahem\\* distracted as you write the scene. \u0026nbsp;If you can't focus on the writing, it's going to get messy, in more ways than one. \u0026nbsp;Take care of business first if that is the case.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAre you going for detail or abstraction? \u0026nbsp;Decide in advance. \u0026nbsp;An abstract or implied sex scene can be just as hot as one with lots of detail. \u0026nbsp;Which kind fits better?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;If you are going for detail, vary your language. \u0026nbsp;Sex scenes that repeat the same words over and over are tedious. \u0026nbsp; Use all sorts of different terms for the involved body parts and the sensations the characters are feeling. \u0026nbsp;If you are unsure of what terms to use, just look up the part in question on urban dictionary or something. \u0026nbsp;Pick a few that sound good to you.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nKnow your body parts! \u0026nbsp;Don't have things randomly sprouting from places or things being jabbed into impossible locations. \u0026nbsp;A little research goes a long way. \u0026nbsp;If you are unsure what something means, look it up. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;It doesn't have to go on for pages and pages, but try to have at least a few paragraphs of description. \u0026nbsp;Three hundred words is a good minimum target length for any sex scene. \u0026nbsp; Of course, having it go longer is perfectly fine. \u0026nbsp;If you are writing a long scene though, try to include things like foreplay or multiple positions. \u0026nbsp;Several pages of straight thrusting gets old fast. \u0026nbsp;Have the characters talk during the scene too, and vocalize their feelings. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nIn closing, everyone has at least a bit of creativity in them. \u0026nbsp;Looking to write, but just can't get an idea? \u0026nbsp;Write anything! \u0026nbsp;It can suck, and it doesn't matter. \u0026nbsp;Just put words down on paper, the ideas will come. \u0026nbsp;Before you know it, creativity will be spurting out of you all over the place! \u0026nbsp;Eww, I just squirted a bit! Hope it didn't get on you, it's very hard to clean creativity stains out of the clothes! \u0026nbsp;If you need something to start you off, try reading something someone else has written, and write one of their scenes in your own view. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nHave fun!\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Writing Tips","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/145470-writing-tips-vol-2.json"}}