16
votes
Why is it generally important to be consistent with the tone and style of writing?
While there's nothing to say you can't do this, it's unusual for a reason.
When a reader selects and starts reading a book, they become invested in it (hopefully!). They say that the first 20k or so ...
- 781
12
votes
Accepted
When quoting issuing commands to multiple individuals, should each new person be a new paragraph?
In my view, either is correct. The two factors that I would consider in selecting either alternative are:
One, how urgent do you as the author want it to sound; orders in a single paragraph signal ...
- 5,237
10
votes
Accepted
Must every sentence be 25 words or less?
No, you should not always abide by this rule.
However it depends on what type of writing you are doing. If you are writing instructions that need to be understood by people with a wide range of ...
- 435
10
votes
Why is it generally important to be consistent with the tone and style of writing?
Expanding on Phil's answer:
He's right that you run the risk of alienating readers. But maybe that's okay. Much like genre, tone sets the expectation for your reader and is something of a contract; ...
- 867
8
votes
When is a good time to have a betrayal?
It's the Roger Rabbit principle. Roger could only take his hand out of the handcuff when it was funny.
You can only reveal the betrayal when it is interesting. You can use it to drive whatever aspect ...
- 1,553
7
votes
When quoting issuing commands to multiple individuals, should each new person be a new paragraph?
To break it off into paragraphs is to imply that there were breaks in the speech. If the commands were rattled off one after the other, it would make more sense to have no breaks. To break as you do ...
- 8,371
7
votes
Can dialogue be put in the same paragraph as action text?
I think you're doing it right
You have one speaker per paragraph.
Who speaking is clear.
You are using action beats to imply who is speaking, instead of only using 'said' tags.
You've incorporated ...
- 10.1k
5
votes
How to read in order to improve my writing skills?
The reason why reading can improve your writing is that writing can't be taught but can be learned.
While there are specific crafts of writing that can be taught: grammar, sentence structure, and ...
- 10.1k
5
votes
Is there a style convention for how to "format" a book title in plain text (no formatting)?
No formatting? All that leaves you is quotes:
In his book "Some Book Title", John Doe describes...
- 211
5
votes
Can you include action or non-dialogue in a paragraph that begins with dialogue?
Your example is ok.
I assume the bold is there to emphasize the part of the text you're asking about and not to be part of the final manuscript.
Adding text in the same paragraph as dialog lines are ...
- 5,988
5
votes
I'm afraid of being accused that I copied, even when I'm the one writing earlier
a story is a gift
You cannot share a story and keep it to yourself.
You have the good fortune of a small group of friends who support your interest in writing. You will, at times, need to compromise ...
- 26.2k
5
votes
Why is it generally important to be consistent with the tone and style of writing?
I think this comes down to something similar to what Brandon Sanderson describes as promises and payoff (YouTube link), except where he is discussing plot, you are talking about tone and style. But I ...
- 179
4
votes
Verb tense for technical document titles
Imperative has my vote, by far. It is the clear winner in my professional opinion (IMPO) for the types of tech docs I write and most types I read and edit. I write mostly end-user how-to guides with ...
4
votes
When quoting issuing commands to multiple individuals, should each new person be a new paragraph?
In the above statement, the order should be given in a single paragraph format UNLESS the person issuing the orders is performing some other action between each order or the person receiving the order ...
- 12.8k
3
votes
How to read in order to improve my writing skills?
While reading the book the first time, I believe the first priority is to just read the book and enjoy it (or hate it) or at least try to, and only after that go back and analyze the text. This is how ...
- 5,988
3
votes
How to describe someone whose eyes sparkle mischievously?
Eyes that sparkle with humor, mischief, or ja ne se qua are already ‘showing.’ The phrase is so well-worn that it is not recognized as a deeply internalized observation of one person’s attraction ...
- 10.1k
3
votes
I'm afraid of being accused that I copied, even when I'm the one writing earlier
I would never share a story while I am writing it with another writer writing a similar story, and I wouldn't want another writer to share their story with me, just because of the effects you describe....
- 1,685
3
votes
Why is it generally important to be consistent with the tone and style of writing?
Flowers for Algernon is a serious yet gentle story where the author indeed changes style through the story. It was a hit, won awards and the clever, tactful use of this change in fact adds to the ...
- 31
3
votes
How to write an insulting experience for my protagonist?
We can't come up with your story for you, but we can give you some tips how you might discover it for yourself:
Different people find different things insulting. So get to learn your protagonist and ...
- 1,685
2
votes
When to not use SI symbols for units?
Know your audience
is an important concept to keep in mind when writing a book.
This book was published by Penguin House, one of the big 5 publishers, with excellent editors. While anyone can make a ...
- 10.1k
2
votes
How to Write Like a Little Kid
To write the experience of a character, you should know what it's like to be that character.
Try to remember what it was like. Divest your adult persona and indulge your inner self/child and regress, ...
2
votes
Do hard to pronounce names break immersion?
Yes, it always does,
but that isn't what matters. Difficult names break immersion in real life just as easily, and you should try to be authentic in your writing. What breaks immersion worse is ...
- 1,094
2
votes
Would using poetry to represent a character's dreams be viable?
While I've never read or seen something like this myself, I actually think it's a really interesting idea! In fact, I think the contrast between the poetry and the regular writing will help readers ...
2
votes
Which English writer community website to give the free feedback on a writing content?
Scribophile is a community of writers. You post work and other people comment on it. It is mostly fiction but not exclusively.
Unless you pay, you have to critique other people's writing in order to ...
- 7,856
2
votes
Accepted
Usage of word "cull" - what would be good alternative
Culling may not be frequent, but it is a common word in America.
It just means filtering out the less fit, less useful, etc. Usually in cases where you cannot afford to maintain all that you had. A ...
- 98.3k
2
votes
Writing a specific atmosphere with a limited ability to
I want to give a specific atmosphere to the chapter. Sort of a
whimsical, medieval festival-like atmosphere. However, they lack the
ability for a lot of modern festival things, such as music and
...
- 26.2k
2
votes
Numbers in a name in dialogue
"Mustang Boss 302" is a brand name, so personally I would write it exactly how it's spelt. By the same token, I wouldn't write "Porsche Nine-Eleven" or "Ferrari Three-Twelve-T&...
- 10.6k
2
votes
Numbers in a name in dialogue
If the way the character speaks the number is important, spell it out. If not meh, but either way choose one approach and stick to it. For your narrative purposes does it matter if the reader reads
...
2
votes
What makes a paragraph?
More on the Swift quote. It is not necessarily thoughts specifically that divide a paragraph, it can be actions. Or actors doing those actions. Or scene changes.
So at various points in the Swift &...
- 1,553
2
votes
Accepted
How should I write a nonlinear book where chapters are dedicated to characters as they are introduced to the main character?
We can't critique here, but there are a several elements in your idea that have potential from a storytelling sense.
Non-linear is a type of mystery
There are many types of mystery stories – people ...
- 26.2k
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