Good Advice on WritingGood Advice on Writing

Partly based on the teachings of Partly based on the teachings of Jim DodgeJim Dodge

Nouns and VerbsNouns and Verbs

She walked slowly into the room.She walked slowly into the room.

Some questions:Some questions:

Do we need a proper noun?Do we need a proper noun?

Should we know more about the room?Should we know more about the room?

What synonyms could we use to replace What synonyms could we use to replace the phrase “walked slowly.”the phrase “walked slowly.”

Technical Advice

Technical Advice

Technical Advice

Technical Advice

Technical Advice

……and speaking of and speaking of apostrophesapostrophes

……and speaking of and speaking of apostrophesapostrophes

……and speaking of and speaking of apostrophesapostrophes

……and speaking of and speaking of apostrophesapostrophes

Collaboration & ImaginationCollaboration & Imagination

Good writing is a collaborative act of imagination Good writing is a collaborative act of imagination using language as the medium.using language as the medium.

Wallace Stevens suggested that you imagine your Wallace Stevens suggested that you imagine your ideal audience and imagine he is everywhere. In ideal audience and imagine he is everywhere. In other words, think of a reader of goodwill. other words, think of a reader of goodwill. Enchant, seduce the reader. Keep them in that Enchant, seduce the reader. Keep them in that spell with good vocabulary and proportionate spell with good vocabulary and proportionate sentence lengths.sentence lengths.

Why People ReadWhy People Read

KnowledgeKnowledge EnchantmentEnchantment AmusementAmusement

Look for conflict!Look for conflict!

Illuminating DetailsIlluminating Details

Concrete, active, Concrete, active, sensorysensory details. details.

Senses, the organs we have in common:Senses, the organs we have in common:

Eyes-we are visually dominated critters.Eyes-we are visually dominated critters.

Think about sounds we hear, odors we Think about sounds we hear, odors we smell, tastes we experience, and the feel smell, tastes we experience, and the feel of things we touch (tactility).of things we touch (tactility).

Show rather than TellShow rather than Tell

Billy was an unbelievably mean kid.Billy was an unbelievably mean kid.

Billy would cross the street to kick a puppy Billy would cross the street to kick a puppy in the belly.in the belly.

TropesTropes

Figures of speechFigures of speech MetaphorsMetaphors

Audience needs to know the vehicle:Audience needs to know the vehicle:

Comprehending the Tenor (abstract) depends on Comprehending the Tenor (abstract) depends on knowing the Vehicle (concrete)knowing the Vehicle (concrete)

For example: “Love (tenor) is a raven (vehicle).”For example: “Love (tenor) is a raven (vehicle).”

Create images through association.Create images through association.

EmphasisEmphasis

What comes at the end of a sentence is What comes at the end of a sentence is emphasized.emphasized.

Strong sentence endings lead to next Strong sentence endings lead to next sentences and help develop well-sentences and help develop well-connected paragraphs.connected paragraphs.

Sentences are malleable.Sentences are malleable.

ThinkThink

Make thinking an art form.Make thinking an art form.

Prewriting=thinking about what you are going to Prewriting=thinking about what you are going to do.do.

ReverieReverie

The important thing is to let go. Spend a lot of time The important thing is to let go. Spend a lot of time on this.on this.

Narrative StrategyNarrative Strategy

Organize in space and timeOrganize in space and time

Where does the story begin and endWhere does the story begin and end

Narrate means to tell or relateNarrate means to tell or relate

Keep it straight and moving forwardKeep it straight and moving forward

Imagining Outside of YourselfImagining Outside of Yourself

Rilke advocated for active receptivity.Rilke advocated for active receptivity.

Consider the contrary. Always consider what Consider the contrary. Always consider what objections the best critic will raise.objections the best critic will raise.

Suspend judgmentSuspend judgment Set aside preconceptionsSet aside preconceptions

The MusesThe Muses

CalliopeCalliope (chief Muse) epic poetry (chief Muse) epic poetryClioClio history history

EuterpeEuterpe lyric poetry lyric poetryThaliaThalia comedy and pastoral poetry comedy and pastoral poetry

MelpomemeMelpomeme tragedy tragedyTerpsichoreTerpsichore choral dancing choral dancing

EratoErato love poetry love poetryPlyhumniaPlyhumnia sacred song sacred song

UraniaUrania astronomy astronomy

May the muses reward your attention.May the muses reward your attention.