Here are some overall thoughts to keep in mind as you are writing your e-serial:
- Writing is a Skill! Just like playing a guitar or driving a car your first efforts will not result in being able to play like Bruce Springstein or qualifying for the Grand Prix. Quite simply, becoming a good writer requires lots and lots of practice. If you write often and enough you will find your own unique voice and develop your skill.
- Write what you think you’d enjoy reading. Write what you think is interesting. If it is something you don’t know a lot about take the time to research those things and then use your creativity to make your writing come alive for your readers.
- Read, read, read. To be a good writer, you must be a good reader. So, set aside time and read poems, short stories, essays, blogs, novels, vines, 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 the e-serial. And, never use the word “you”!
- Don’t use “In conclusion…” This is an overused transition to the conclusion. Judges and members will know they are at the conclusion of your e-serial based on the content of the concluding paragraph.
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 character/s in peril 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.
- Every conversation must make a point.
- Make your characters identifiable. Readers need to know which characters are speaking.
- Keep dialogue between characters relevant:
Dialogue is there 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.
