Here are some overall thoughts to keep in mind as you are writing your e-serial:
- Writing is a Skill! Just like playing an instrument, a sport, or a video game, becoming a good writer requires a lot of practice. Stick with it and you will find your own unique voice and develop your skill.
- Write what you’d enjoy reading. Research interesting topics you don’t know well and use your creativity to make them come alive.
- Read, read, read. Reading makes you a better writer and can bring new ideas. Set aside time and read poems, short stories, essays, blogs, or song lyrics. Just read.
Tips for Non-Fiction:
- Don’t use first person pronouns (“I”, “we,” “us,” “my,” and “our”). Readers will know who’s writing. And, never use the word “you”!
- Don’t use “In conclusion…” The content of the concluding paragraph will make it clear that readers have reached the close.
Tips for Fiction:
- Be sure to include all essential elements of a fiction story:
- Beginning: Introduce the character, setting and context
- Developing action: Introduce conflict. Make things happen to put the main characters at risk or make action happen
- Getting worse: Make characters experience more intense examples of whatever conflict is driving the story (between characters, a character’s own internal conflict, a social conflict, etc)
- Climax: The conflict reaches its most dramatic point, inspiring or producing a realization in the character/s (usually near the end of the story)
- Resolution: Tying up loose ends. No new information, this part is about closing out the story as soon as possible.
- Keep dialogue between characters relevant:
Use dialogue to describe your characters, reveal how they relate to each other and to move your story forward.- Every conversation must make a point.
- Make your characters identifiable. Readers need to know which characters are speaking.
