There are four things I try to remember when I am writing a story.
Research. Make sure the actions you are having a character do are believable. Squirrels don't really hibernate. Don't write a story that hinges on hibernating squirrels.
Read aloud. Reading aloud will force you to hear the tongue twisters, the rhythm that stumbles, the lines that, as a parent, you would dread reading.
Revise. I actually love this one. Playing with word placement, sentence structure, story arc, character development. All of that and just the joy of shifting words around and finding the story I want to tell hidden in all those words. Yum.
And then there is:
Rest. This one I hate. I am so excited when I finish a story I can't wait to share it. And then I come back to it a month later and see all sorts of flaws. I am trying to work on patience. Really, I am. But it doesn't come easy. I'm just sayin'.
Sigh.
Peace,
Chris
Research. Make sure the actions you are having a character do are believable. Squirrels don't really hibernate. Don't write a story that hinges on hibernating squirrels.
Read aloud. Reading aloud will force you to hear the tongue twisters, the rhythm that stumbles, the lines that, as a parent, you would dread reading.
Revise. I actually love this one. Playing with word placement, sentence structure, story arc, character development. All of that and just the joy of shifting words around and finding the story I want to tell hidden in all those words. Yum.
And then there is:
Rest. This one I hate. I am so excited when I finish a story I can't wait to share it. And then I come back to it a month later and see all sorts of flaws. I am trying to work on patience. Really, I am. But it doesn't come easy. I'm just sayin'.
Sigh.
Peace,
Chris