By Karen Cioffi
All writers have one primary focus—to get published. What makes each
of us different is our slant or perspective on the story we’re telling,
and how we tell it.
It’s true that anyone can write, but writing to get published is
another story. To accomplish this, there four steps you need to include
in your writing. (The fifth tips is a bonus.)
THE FIVE TIPS
1. Write an out-of-the-ballpark beginning
This is the crucial step that will determine whether the agent or
editor keeps reading. Your beginning needs to grab the reader; it needs
to lead the reader on without him having to think about it.
Here are different slants on a possible beginning:
A. Jan saw blood dripping down the wall. She screamed.
This idea is a beginning that might entice a reader to read on, but the problem is it’s telling not showing. To add showing:
B. Blood dripped down the stark white wall, adding
to the puddle already formed on the floor. Jane felt a quiver run down
her spine. Reacting before thinking of the consequences, a blood
curdling scream issued forth from the depths of her being.
C. Blood slowly dripped down the stark white wall. A
quiver ran throughout Jane’s body. An urgent eruption welled up from
the depths of her being and brought forth a blood curdling scream.
D. Blood slowly dripped down the stark white wall,
adding to the dark red puddle already formed on the floor. A quiver ran
throughout Jane’s body creating an urgent eruption that welled up from
the depths of her being—a blood curdling scream issued forth.
Examples B, C and D do a much better job of showing rather than
telling. While they can easily be taken apart and reworded for
tightness, more description or less description, whatever the author
deems necessary, for this article they serve their purpose.
And remember, using descriptive words and adverbs adds to the word
count. So, analyze each word you use; be sure they enhance the story and
move it along, not weigh it down. In today’s writing world publishers
and agents want tight writing.
2. The body of your story
This area needs to fulfill the beginning’s promise. It needs to keep
the reader interested in the characters and plot—this will ensure the
reader keeps turning the pages. You also need to keep track of
everything going on in the story and follow through. Readers don’t want
to feel cheated or disappointed.
Some authors use character and event cards or sheets to keep track of
each character’s qualities and the details to each event. This will
guarantee continuity and help prevent loose ends.
3. Your ending
The ending must tie everything together and tie-up all loose ends. If
you wrote a paragraph or chapter about John and Jane contemplating
marriage then segue into something else, let the reader know how it ends
up.
It’s also a plus if you can come up with a twist at the end, something the reader won’t expect.
But, keep in mind it’s essential that you leave the reader satisfied.
4. Submitting your work
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