This will start out boring for non-punctuation-lovers, but then I’ll quote Robert Frost, which is always a great benefit to society. So slog through the boring part to get to the poetry and my explanation of how Frost shows how important it is to “know the rules, then break them.”…
7. Tricks
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I think of pacing as making sure that important events happen frequently enough that the reader doesn’t get a chance to quit reading. That doesn’t mean every scene has a turning point, but every scene has to have some event that affects the overall plot, or that scene is basically “skippable”. And every scene can help set up for a later turning point.
Creating unique voices for each viewpoint character is essential in creating fiction readers want to read over and over. Unique voices stick with you and generate the best reviews. Here are 9 exercises to help you discover your viewpoint character(s) voice.
Here are a few quick tips for creating dazzling dialogue.
#1 Keep it short
Three to four lines between ” “, then insert an action, change speakers, switch to a quick thought. This creates more white space, suggests more movement, forces you to be cogent and quick.