Writing

How many sentences are in a paragraph? If you think ten sentences is a good formula, it’s time to think again. Today’s readers prefer much more space. Short paragraphs are becoming the standard online because they help keep readers’ attention. It doesn’t matter if it is a blog post or a Kindle ebook; splitting your…

What is freelance writing? It is not a new occupation. Successful freelance writers have been selling their work to magazines and newspapers for decades. But today, it usually means writing articles for websites, online magazines, and commercial sites. To be a successful freelancer, you should have excellent writing and editing skills. You should also enjoy…

The difference between strong and weak verbs can be a little confusing. It depends on which definition you use. However, understanding the three different types makes it easier. First is the linguistic basis, which is the grammatical structure and etymology of the verbs. Second, the functional contrast between active and static verbs focuses on their…

Learning how to write a great blog post is not as easy as it sounds. Every day, millions of people are writing blogs or creating content for digital marketing. However, most of them fail to attract many readers or have a very high bounce rate. It happens because they lack the essential elements in their…

Every writer confronts the dreaded fear of a blank page. It is white, stark, and for many writers and authors, it’s downright intimidating. You stare at a fresh blank sheet of paper or an empty word processor template in Google Docs. Perhaps Word with its infuriating little flashing cursor. There is nothing in front of…

Did Ernest Hemingway ever advise, write drunk, edit sober? Probably not, but it has become one of the most popular fixed expressions for new writers. If you have just started writing or are attending writing classes, you must have heard the expression. On social media, writers have used the phrase thousands of times. Yet, the…

When I finish writing a manuscript, the next step is always editing, both copy editing and proofreading. If you can afford professionals for these tasks, that’s ideal. But many self-publishing authors need to handle the work themselves. Understanding the difference between the two processes allows you to work methodically, correct mistakes, and save money. Copy…

You have a few story ideas in your head and want to know how to write a great story. Maybe you want to write romance stories, crime, detective, or science fiction. But if you are new to creative writing and fiction, you should try to avoid a few typical pitfalls. Let’s look at how you…

We use common abbreviations and acronyms all the time, but what do they mean? The English language uses many forms of word abbreviation. We use shortened forms increasingly for text messaging to reduce a word or phrase. Very often, these are acronyms using initial letters such as LOL, ROTFL, and BRB. Familiar acronyms and abbreviations Some forms use capital…

Do you need more synonyms to find other words for said? While it might seem like a good idea to vary your vocabulary, it’s important to remember that you should use dialogue tags sparingly. The best way to improve your dialogue is to focus on your characters’ words and the emotions they are conveying. Stephen…