If you follow any social media pages about writing, chances are you have come across Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules for Good Writing, targeting those who write creative fiction. These rules are easy to understand, and more importantly, easy to implement. Let's take a look at them below. 1. Never open a book with weather.Leonard's reasoning behind this is that readers are likely to start paging ahead to find the people or the action; this is true. While the "dark and stormy night" opening feels like a classic because it is something we all know, because it is something we all know, it is also overplayed. To put this in perspective, when do you bring up the weather in conversation? Sure, you might sometimes be inspired to talk about it because something spectacular happened, but usually it is because you are bored or nervous and want to fill the silence. This is passable in casual conversation, but it isn't in creative fiction. 2. Avoid ProloguesWhat is the purpose of a prologue? It is to set the reader up with background information to help them better understand the story. But background does not need to be given all at once, and it is okay to leave your readers in the dark for a while, allowing them to discover things as time goes on. In essence, the prologue is just a way to take some of the mystery out of the story, and who wants that? 3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.We have all seen those "said is dead" lists of alternatives to the word "said." Well, while those lists may be great for student writers who need to expand their vocabulary and creativity, they are not suited to those looking to write professionally. With the right approach, your characters should be able to express the dialogue on their own, making "said" a perfectly suitable choice. Now, you might be asking yourself if it is actually better to use the word "said" in every line of dialogue. No, it isn't, but the way around that is not to use other words; it is to skip the dialogue tag unless there is a reason to have it. The primary reasons for a dialogue tag are to illustrate the dialogue with action or clarify which character is speaking. If there is no action and no ambiguity as to which character is speaking, there is no need for a dialogue tag. 4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said"...he admonished gravely.Leonard reasoned that this interrupts the rhythm of the exchange, calling it a mortal sin. The principle behind this is much the same as the rule above: the characters should be able to express the dialogue on their own. Based on the flow of the exchange, we should be able to infer how it was said. It is also very leading, forcing your audience to interpret situations in specific ways. While it means giving up control, and that is difficult, it results in better writing. After all, there is a reason why great novels are dissected in literature classes--they leave room for the reader to filter the work through their own lens and interpret it accordingly. 5. Keep your exclamation points under control."You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose." As an editor, this one speaks to me. I feel that our approach to writing is evolving with the use of text and instant messaging. While it is fine to pepper your messages with exclamation points, ellipses, and combined punctuation marks (?!), it isn't suited to creative writing. When the author goes heavy on exclamation points, I feel like the characters are doing nothing but screaming. It is almost as bad as typing in all caps. 6. Never use "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."Leonard doesn't even bother explaining this one, feeling that it should be obvious. As an editor, I can assure you it is not. So, why should you avoid these phrases and others similar to them? Because they just are not needed. If something happens suddenly in the book, it happens suddenly in the book; you do not need to explain that to the reader. As for all hell broke loose and similar phrases, this falls under telling instead of showing; if all hell is breaking loose, I as the reader should be able to figure that out all on my own. 7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.You might be wondering why this is an important rule to follow. After all, if this is how your character speaks, should you not reflect that in your writing? My answer, and Leonard's too, is no--or at least not very often. Why is this? First of all, it is not easy to read. Second of all, it is hard to keep it up unless you always write in that manner. Third of all, it is easy to slip into its use in the narration in third person rather than keeping it to the dialogue. Finally, it bleeds over into other characters even if they do not speak in the same manner, unless you are incredibly careful. As such, it is better to avoid it as much as possible. 8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.Here is where your writing instructors have likely done you a great disservice. "Paint a picture with your words," they told you. "I want to be able to see what you see." But this isn't want readers want. Readers want the outline of a character--at most--and then they want to be able to fill that outline in. I cannot tell you how often I get books where the writer introduces characters by outlining every little thing about the way they look, gesture, and speak. Another common problem is every outfit change being document in greater detail than you would find in a fashion magazine. State the bare minimum and build from there only if needed. 9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.The idea behind this is much the same as with number eight. Description does not advance the story; it stills the flow. Description should be worked in as needed, woven into action and dialogue, which drive the story. 10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.What are the parts you tend to skip when reading? For most of us, this is lengthy prose and anything else that is boring. Dialogue and action grip us as readers; flowery prose does not. Your story must march to a beat, always forward and steady. If you write something you would be tempted to skip as a reader, revise that part and keep it interesting. So, if you were writing your own rules for good writing, what would you include?
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Your laptop taskbar is the space dedicated to giving you quick access to apps and other programs. When you purchase your laptop, certain options are automatically there. However, the items the manufacturer thinks are helpful usually aren't. To make your workday easier, be certain to customize the items pinned to your taskbar. Not sure what to pin there? Here are a few ideas based on what I have pinned for quick access. ChromeWhether you are a freelancer or not, you need an internet browser in your taskbar. My browser of choice is Chrome. Why Chrome? It has the best add-ons for the work I do. Upwork Time TrackerWhile I do have independent clients who have come to me after finding me here or being recommended to work with me, about half of my freelance work is through Upwork. This app allows me to track time to get paid on hourly assignments and also includes the messaging app so I can communicate with all my Upwork clients. WordI am a freelance writer and editor. While there are alternative programs that one could argue are better for my line of work than Word, most clients do not use them. As a result, Word is my default word processing program. AvastAbout two years ago, my anti-virus program expired without me realizing it and I ended up with a Trojan that made it impossible to work. The impact on my income was devastating. As a result, I am diligent about keeping my anti-virus active and I keep it pinned so I remember to check in on the status of my laptop daily. Tunnel BearI am an American living in Mexico. This means I am eligible for work for US companies, but sometimes I am restricted due to my IP originating in another country. With Tunnel Bear, I can fix this problem quickly. What's AppIs it a distraction? Yes. But sometimes I need one. I also like that it allows me to communicate with everyone I need to get in touch with using just my laptop, rather than going back and forth between it and my phone. WeatherThis app is native to my laptop and nothing special. However, it does just what I need it to do. SpotifyMusic is a big part of my workday and my life in general. I use Spotify to play my ambient and instrumental playlists as I work so I can feel a bit more relaxed without the distraction of lyrics. CalculatorYet another native app. And once again, it is simple but does what I need. SlackFinally, some of my clients keep their work organized using Slack. While it is still pretty new to me, I am starting to adapt to the system and find it to be one of the best ways to work with teams. Keeping it in my taskbar ensures I never miss an alert during the workday. So, how about you? What programs and apps are pinned to your taskbar?
My day just isn't complete without a little music. However, this can be problematic for me as a writer and editor. When I listen to music in English, I often find myself distracted or mixing up the words I am reading with the words I am hearing. But this isn't a problem without a solution. In fact, I have found quite a few ways around this limitation. Below are just some of the tunes I listen to while working. Ambient MusicAmbient music is music that is designed to fade into the background and become one with the environment. It is soothing, unobtrusive, and wordless. It is rare for ambien music to be up tempo, so it makes for a relaxing environment. While that might sound like elevator muzak, once you listen to it, you will discover that it is very different. To find this music, browse ambient music playlists and look for works by artists such as Brian Eno, The Orb, and Aphex Twin--just be sure you are checking out their ambient works and not their traditional works. Movie and Video Game SoundtracksWhile ambient music is always chill, movie and video game soundtracks are perfect for getting yourself into a certain mood. You can get yourself pumped up, manic, relaxed, and anything in between. All you have to do is find the right song. While soundtracks will include songs with words from time to time, all you have to do is avoid them while you assemble your playlist. You can even target specific composers, such as Philip Glass and Hans Zimmer. Instrumental Hip-HopYou might be surprised by this one; not only is it excellent, but instrumental hip hop tracks are easy to find. Most of these tracks were created so independent musicians and MCs could layer over them and create something unique. However, they are great to listen to while working. These tracks can really get your energy up when you are feeling down and help you finish your work day.
Do you have specific tracks you would recommend? Share them with us. Previously, I showed you easy ways to create an office space at home, even if you don't have a dedicated space for it. Today, we will look at my must-have items for my dedicated office space. Are all of them essential to getting my work done? No, not exactly. But in terms of my comfort and productivity, they are all must-haves for me. The Core ElectronicsWorking online means that I rely on electronics. My core electronics that I use on daily or almost daily basis are my laptop, tablet, printer, and Bluetooth speaker. Out of these items, my printer is used the least. Surprisingly, my speaker gets the most use as I always have my work-at-home soundtrack playing. A Long, Open DeskI am not big on lots of storage space in my desk. My preference is to have a long, open desk so I have plenty of room to roll around underneath it and spread out the items I need on top. An Ergonomic ChairIf you are going to spend hours a day sitting at a desk, you need to make sure you have a supportive chair. Without one, you will be in plenty of pain. When selecting a chair, consider not just the shape of the back, but also where it places your arms in terms of your desk. A Simple File CabinetMost of what we do is paperless, so a two or three-drawer file cabinet will do just fine. However, you do want to have one so you can hold onto receipts and other important items for tax season. A Cozy CouchWhen I write, I like to work on my laptop at my desk. But when I edit, I prefer to be curled up on the couch. For my office, a futon is what works best, allowing us to accommodate overnight guests. A Charging StationI have several devices I work with throughout the day, and that means I have plenty of charging needs. My charging station keeps everything nice and organized. It is much better than a mess of cords. My Yoga MatIf I have to leave the office, I find that I make excuses to justify not exercising. By keeping my gear on hand, I have no excuse. In addition to starting each day with yoga and cardio, I also try to fit in a 7-minute workout once an hour to ensure I am staying active and not sitting for too long.
There are many ways that working from home is better than working an office job. But while you may have more flexibility in your scheduling and the option to work while in your pajamas, there are still some of the same problems that you encounter with your usual 9-5. Chief among them? Moving enough throughout the day. However, while working from home may mean many hours at a desk, you are freer to get in little workouts throughout the day. Yoga at the office? A bit weird. Yoga in your living room? No problem! Of course, just having the freedom to get up and get active isn't enough; you also need a program to follow and ways to keep yourself on track. To help, check out my choices for apps for staying fit at home. MyFitnessPalMy Fitness Pal isn't an exercise app itself, but it does help you track your exercise and your calories, as well as your water intake. The app will give you daily reminders to log each of your meals, ensuring that you stay on top of things. Many of us do not realize just how much we consume in a day, and My Fitness Pal provides you with the transparency you need to make healthier choices at home and on the go. It also syncs with various apps and devices. Down DogDown Dog is easily the best yoga app on the market. Since its release, the Down Dog team has constantly released updates that help to improve the app and its customization options. You start by selecting the sequence type you want--full practice, restorative, or quick flow--then choose your level, and how long you want your practice to be. You can choose from different playlists to set the mood, how fast you want the pace to be, and what kind of a boost you want. In terms of customization, you can get more out of using this app than attending classes at an actual yoga studio. The guide offers clear instructions as you work, and the visuals are simple and elegant. This is a must for anyone who enjoys their yoga. FitStarIf you use a FitBit, then you have no doubt heard of FitStar. However, you do not need to own a FitBit to take advantage of this app. FitStar is designed to create custom workout plans that are tailored to your body type and goals. The app will generate a daily workout for you or you can choose workouts that interest you. The trainers are fun, motivational, and provide clear instructions on how to complete the workouts. My one complaint is that if you are a beginner, sometimes the exercises can be a little too tough, even when they are supposed to be geared specifically to your needs. However, the trainers will usually tell you how you can modify the movements if they are feeling like too much for you. SworkitSworkit is an app similar to FitStar in that it creates a workout plan that is just for you. However, it is a little less interactive than FitStar. The app uses a narrator rather than a trainer and there is little in terms of instruction on how to move; you simply mimic the example on the screen. Despite this, it is still one of my favorite apps, and I also use their smaller apps that are targeted towards specific zones, such as abs and butt. Sworkit also offers a kids' version that is great for helping kids stay active or just for you to enjoy with them. While it may not be my top choice, it is still a part of my daily routine. Special Mention: Go Noodle
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SRB.MartinFreelance writer and editor with an education background, working from home and living abroad. Archives
October 2019
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