Good fiction is more or less a form of art. It captivates the reader and leaves them begging for more. Knowing how to write a good fiction could be easy when one knows what to look out for. Here are a few helpful writing tips:
1. Keep away from prologues
These are mainly used in non-fiction works. A prologue is especially annoying when it is used after an introduction and foreword. If a prologue is to be used, it should be worked into the story.
2. For dialogue, always use the verb ‘said’
‘Said’ is less intrusive than other verbs such as ‘cautioned’ or ‘lied’. This is because the line of dialogue is owned by the character and thus the writer should avoid intrusion using other more revealing verbs.
3. The verb “said” should never be modified by adverbs
When adverbs are used to modify “said”, it draws the attention of the reader and interrupts the rhythm of the dialogue.
4. Avoid using obscene amounts of exclamation marks
When one sets out to write fiction, they should adopt a writing style that uses not more than 3 exclamation marks for 100,000 words of prose. This ensures that they are only used when needed.
5. Limit use of regional dialect
The use of regional dialect should be kept to a bare minimum. It is not advisable to fill a page with apostrophes, as this will have to continue to the end.
6. Avoid over-describing characters
A writing strategy that involves giving detailed information about the characters is doomed to fail. The role of properly identifying the characters should be left to the reader.
7. Avoid describing places and things in detail
Going into too much detail in describing places and things is bound to interrupt the flow of the story. It also affects the concentration of the reader.
