Here are some writing tips and pet peeves from our editors. We'll add more over time, so if you want to write for us, you might visit here periodically to see what we've added.
1. Don't use the word "hiss" unless there is a sibilant sound at the end of the sentence. Example of sibilant sound: "Yes," she hissed.
2. Avoid over description. We don't need to know every detail of a room or a person or an event. We need just enough information to give us a good picture in our mind. Remember, readers like to form their own images of the world you're creating, and if you're too detailed, you take away that individual magic from a reader.
3. Avoid too long sentences. Our readers like fast-paced books. One of the best ways to keep a fast pace is to use short sentences.
4. Avoid overuse of prepositional phrases. When you use a lot of prepositional phrases, particularly if you're using a string of them in a sentence, you take the "punch" out of the image you're trying to create. They also tend to slow pacing. Try to avoid prepositional phrases whenever possible.
5. Avoid self-description. Unless your character is looking in a mirror or another reflective surface, don't have them describe themselves. Example of self-description: She ran her hands through her long, red hair. When you run your hands through your hair, you don't think about it being long and red, so your character shouldn't either. They also shouldn't describe their own body - long legs, slender hips, etc.
6. Outside of emotions that will reflect on the face - anger, sadness, tears, frustration, etc. - don't let your characters know what others think and feel unless they've been specifically told what the other person thinks/feels.
7. Use good cliff hangers for every scene and chapter ending. You want your readers to hate to stop reading your book to do something else, and you want them eager to return when they do have to stop reading. If you don't have a good cliff hanger that wants them to keep turning the page, they'll find it easy to put the book down, and they won't be eager to hurry back.
8. Avoid the changing-color-eye. When you give a character a specific eye color, your readers set that color in their minds. When you start changing colors - midnight blue to twilight blue to blue-gray - you pull your reader out of your story because they have one image in their minds, and now you're giving them a new one.
9. Avoid night vision. We often see characters in dark rooms or in night scenes where there's no light, yet they can see the other person's expressions, even the expression in their eyes. Unless you character is a "creature of the night" blessed with night vision, they shouldn't be able to see in the dark.
10. Avoid semi-colons. Semi-colons tend to distract readers, and you never want your reader distracted from your story.
NOTE: These tips may be reprinted as long as credit is given to ImaJinn Books Editorial Staff, PO Box 545, Canon City, CO 81215-0545.
Copyright 2003 ImaJinn Books