Revision and Writing Tips for Everyone!

If you missed it, I posted some useful revision and writing tips on Twitter July 2. I was asked to summarize in a blog post, since not everyone was online then (they have lives). With the help of my amazing assistant Jennifer (she did it all), see the list of tweets compiled in order from last to first below. Please share with anyone who writes! Leave comments below.

Write well,

Georgia

#writers be careful re the pesky 2nd person pov creep-up. Happens to the best of us. Direct or implied, it is a slippery slope

#writers look for ways to say the same thing with fewer words. Be concise. You learned re run-sentences for a reason!

#writers just because u have idea for a scene or dialogue doesn’t mean u need to plug it in RIGHT NOW. Make sure it flows. If not, move
it.

#writers if u find the character is insignificant, has very little dialogue or on-screen time, cut him. Not needed.

#writers even if u don’t outline, try writing down what you want/need to happen in next ch or scene to get from point a to b. Really
helps.

#writers try to avoid odd or insignificant movement about the scene. Why get up just to sit right back down? Unless a major shift in…

#writers remember what ur characters are doing at all times. He cannot open his eyes if you’ve forgotten to close them for him. LOL

#writers Beware the povs. 1st person knows only what the 5 senses allow. Otherwise (s)he assumes or presumes. Easy to slip up
here.

#writers MS WORD is ur friend. Don’t ignore “passive voice” or “comma use” or “grammar” suggestions. There for a reason. Bill Gates <3 u

#writers world building is great, but if you can’t recall the world you’ve set up, or rules when needed, u’ve got a HUGE problem.

#writers record character and world info in a journal or “bible.” Otherwise, u may forget what color hair a character has or his bday!

#writers if you’ve deleted a character, or changed one’s gender, BE SURE TO GO BACK and CHANGE dialogue tags, descriptions, etc.

#writers if you are revising, be sure you keep a revision journal! Will keep inconsistencies and inaccuracies to a minimum.

#writers don’t be afraid to bring humor into the story, even during tragic or unhappy scenes. can take edge off even make more
memorable

#writers if dialogue doesn’t make sense, or flow is off when acting out, then change it. make it real. feel it. be the character

#writers dialogue should be authentic. If unsure, try it. imagine scene in ur head (or act it out like i do). see characters, say lines.

#writers Treat paragraphs like a mini story w/ beginning, middle and end. Start strong, captivate and lead read by hand to next one.

#writers Find clever ways of saying similar things so as not to bore the reader. I couldn’t stop crying=Tears fell against my will.

#writers Don’t be so predictable. The reader shouldn’t be able to figure out what you’ll say next because you’ve said it 5 times
already.

Follow me @georgia_mcbride for more awesome writing and revision tips!