The Do's & Dont's of Writing

The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing: Mastering the Craft with Examples

Writing is an art that requires both creativity and discipline. To help you improve your skills and avoid common pitfalls, here are some essential do’s and don’ts of writing, each with a practical example to guide you. Before your read this, remember Write for youreself not others!

1. Do: Show, Don’t Tell

• Don’t: She was very angry.
• Do: Her fists clenched, and her face turned crimson as she glared at him, words caught in her throat.
• Why: Showing rather than telling creates a more vivid and immersive experience for the reader. It allows them to feel the emotions and see the scene unfold, rather than just being told what’s happening.

2. Don’t: Use Clichés

• Don’t: He was as busy as a bee.
• Do: He moved through the office like a storm, papers swirling around him as he tackled task after task.
• Why: Clichés can make your writing feel unoriginal and stale. Instead, strive for fresh and unique descriptions that capture the essence of what you’re trying to convey.

3. Do: Use Active Voice

• Don’t: The book was read by her.
• Do: She read the book.
• Why: Active voice makes your writing clearer and more direct. It often creates a stronger connection between the subject and the action, making your sentences more engaging.

4. Don’t: Overload with Adverbs

• Don’t: He walked slowly and quietly into the room.
• Do: He tiptoed into the room.
• Why: Overusing adverbs can make your writing feel cluttered and less precise. Instead, choose strong verbs that convey the action more effectively.

5. Do: Write Concisely

• Don’t: Due to the fact that it was raining, they decided to stay inside.
• Do: Since it was raining, they decided to stay inside.
• Why: Concise writing is clearer and more powerful. It helps maintain the reader’s attention and keeps the narrative moving smoothly.

6. Don’t: Info Dump

• Don’t: The kingdom was vast and had many cities, each with its own history and culture. The capital was known for its grand architecture, while the coastal towns were famous for their seafood. The mountains in the north were home to… (and so on for several paragraphs)
• Do: As they journeyed through the kingdom, they marveled at the grandeur of the capital’s spires and tasted the salty air of the coastal towns. The mountains loomed in the distance, a reminder of the kingdom’s wild northern edge.
• Why: Info dumping overwhelms the reader and disrupts the flow of your story. Instead, weave details naturally into the narrative, revealing the world bit by bit.

7. Do: Develop Your Characters

• Don’t: John was a brave man who never backed down from a fight.
• Do: John stepped forward, his hands steady even as the ground trembled beneath him. He knew the odds were against him, but retreat was never an option.
• Why: Telling your reader about a character’s traits is less impactful than showing those traits through actions and decisions. It helps readers connect with and understand the characters more deeply.

8. Don’t: Rely on Dialogue Tags

• Don’t: “I can’t believe you did that!” she exclaimed loudly.
• Do: “I can’t believe you did that!” Her voice cut through the room, sharp and accusatory.
• Why: Overusing dialogue tags, especially with adverbs, can make dialogue feel forced. Use action or description to convey tone and emotion instead.

9. Do: Use Vivid Imagery

• Don’t: The garden was beautiful.
• Do: The garden burst with color, roses blooming in every shade of red and pink, their fragrance hanging in the warm summer air.
• Why: Vivid imagery helps create a strong visual in the reader’s mind, making your writing more engaging and memorable.

10. Don’t: Ignore Pacing

• Don’t: The battle raged on for hours. They fought bravely.
• Do: Swords clashed, and the air was thick with the sound of metal on metal. Hours blurred together as they fought, exhaustion creeping into their bones.
• Why: Proper pacing keeps the reader engaged and maintains the story’s momentum. Avoid rushing through important scenes or dragging out less significant ones.

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Conclusion

Mastering the do’s and don’ts of writing can transform your storytelling and make your work more compelling. Remember, writing is a craft that takes time and practice to hone, so keep experimenting, revising, and learning from each draft you write. Again, The story you write is yours and yours alone. These are just tips for improvingyour story but at the end of the day you make you book unique by writing it you way.