B = Believable

Write What You Know

We all know when we're reading a piece that is believable, even when its fantasy work.The truth is in the details.

Research the essential information for your story. If you don't know about something essential for your story, research, interview and check your details for consistency.

Example 1:
Sally & John stood on the corner of Hollywood & Vine, at midnight, Friday. To their surprise Leonardo DiCaprio sat in a BMW at the red signal light. Sally started screaming when the film star turned and smiled at her. Sally's star struck reaction changed the way John thought of her... forever.

Truth: Leonardo DiCaprio has been seen driving in the Hollywood area. Sally, and other women, have fallen into screaming fits at the sight of him.

Example 2:
Writing about Golf? Are you a golfer? If not, do some reading or talk with an expert before you place a Wood or a Putter in your character's hand.

Example 3:
Boaters know the difference between a sheet and a sail. Do you? Make your adventure in the Caribbean believable by researching the details before you write.

Example 4:
Watch You Tube of Dr. George Fischbeck to see a fabulous weatherman in action. He would know the difference between stratus, cirrus and cumulus clouds. On an alien planet the cloud pattern may be harbingers of future events.

Research the truth of your details to create a believable world.

A = Adjectives

The time tested saying by Mark Twain: As to the Adjective, when in doubt strike it out.

When a writer writes descriptions, remember that the information needs to be pertinent to the reader. Include all the description that is required to understand the character and move the story forward. Everything else can be removed.

Questions to ask when revising a piece include:

Is this information needed?
Does it tell something about the character?
How does it move the story forward?

Zed's story:

Zed knelt down slowly next to the twisted body staining the knee of his khaki pants.

Zed knelt down next blood covered body to examine the pattern of the red blood drops splattered on the crisp shirt.

Zed knelt down next to the body, running his fingers through his greasy hair as sweat dripped down his face.

Zed knelt down next to the body, the dark red blood of his buddy splattered across his face and uniform as if he had run through sprinklers of blood.

Each of these examples cast Zed in a different light. Every statement is true. It's to the writer to decide what is important to story, character and scene.

"I think my mistakes were common - learning on cliches and adjectives in the place of clear vivid writing. But at least I knew how to spell, which seems a rarity these days." ~ Dick Schaap

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A Writer's Dilemma

Fred: If the days were just longer, I could get more writing done.

Nan: I get plenty of writing done.

Fred: Since my book came out, I’ve been marketing. The publisher said that everything depends upon networking. I love my readers but at this rate, I won’t ever finish the next book.

Nan: That is a problem, isn’t it?

Fred: How do you find the time to write?

Nan: I write.

Fred: How do you fit it in?

Nan: Fit it in?

Fred: Yes, between facebook, pinterest, twitter, blogger, tumbler, klout, networking, commenting, email, pinning, tagging, circulating and then of course there are meals, getting dressed and errands…

Nan: I just write.

Fred: Well, yeah, I’m writing all day but not my manuscript.

Nan: Rearrange your priorities.

Fred: Really? It’s that easy?

Nan: It’s not easy but it is simple.

Fred: Okay. Thanks.

Nan: You’re welcome.

This isn’t the only conversation about priorities that has come up lately. As life gets more complicated with more gadgets and connections, the easier it is to lose focus. Hopefully, awareness and good friendships will keep everything on track rather than letting other stuff get in the way of what’s really important.