Writing Tip

Tip: Replace “said” with “verbs to suit the precise actions you’re describing” (p. 53, from They Say/ I Say: The Moves that Matter in Persuasive Writing Gerard Graff & Cathy Birkenstein)

Context: The authors are talking about writing summaries.

Tip in Action:

While this tip is not one you haven’t heard before, it is one that’s easy for this novice to forget. So I tried it with an article I am co-authoring.

First, I identified 5 instances where I use “said” in the piece.

Next, I looked for the action in each one.

To protect the innocent, I will not share the sentences here, but when I looked closer, I noticed that I could replace each "said" with words that got closer at what the speaker was really doing.

I settled on asked, believed, observed, explained. I left 1"said" because it was " most appropriate... for the occasion" (p. 53).

 

Note:

The authors give sample verbs (and scenarios) to help you if you get stuck.

 

 

 

Can you believe James Patterson Writes in Longhand?

There is something about writing longhand...

I’m blown away because Patterson is so prolific. The quote below is an interesting description of how he collaborates, too. I’ve collaborated on a few writing projects and the first thing I learned is that the collaborators must know how they are expected to contribute to the project.

“Patterson said he writes every day in longhand, and has about 40 projects ongoing at once, many in progress with co-authors. Patterson said he writes the outline and the co-authors add to it and then write the first draft, which he said he hates doing. Then he and the co-authors revise the book together into a finished product.”

Patterson also said, teachers are right about outlining: "I write from an outline, I urge you. You've heard this before, your teachers tell you every day listen to them: outline, outline, outline, outline."





I use an outline for projects when I want to cull some of the information because I know the project cannot cover all of the fascinating stuff I want to write about.

Take a look at the news clip. What do you think? Do you outline? Have any tips for collaborating?

James Patterson, qtd. in “Author James Patterson Tells Students Secrets To Writing Bestsellers” by Terri Parker

I've got to get a package

Maybe you're not there yet, maybe you are. But we have to keep it real and talk about money.

Here's what I've noticed for what it's worth. Since we're both new to writing, I'm thinking we'd better figure out what type of "package" we're going to create.

Look at me.
I have several books, but I'm still a novice. I talked about being an introvert, but here's another reason:
I don't have a package.

A package consists of a book and some type of workshop or presentation to accompany it. Though I'd write for free in a heartbeat, I do want to make a living at writing, too.

From what I can tell, the nonnovices have a package. Would I still be a novice if in 2004 when I published my first book, I was ready to go out and do a workshop sharing writing tips I learned from Angela Johnson or sharing information about her books?

Maybe, maybe not. But a writer who wishes to move beyond being a novice must not only strengthen her/his craft, she/he must also develop business acumen.  

And having a package makes good business sense, doesn’t it?

Am I wrong? Be honest with me. Post a comment and help me think this through.

Great writing tips for us

These tips are by Uma Krishnaswami.
Author of Naming Maya and other books for children.
Enjoy!