Definition: Writing Mechanics are the set of rules that govern how written language should be used. What Are the Proper Writing Mechanics? Writing mechanics are essential for producing clear, concise and error-free writing. At the core of writing mechanics are the basic elements of proper writing, such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and other sets…

Definition: Your writing style is the way your writing comes across to your readers, and it includes sentence structure, syntax, and voice. When writing for an audience, it’s important to engage them in a way that suits your purpose and message while also holding their attention. …

Definition: A central idea or main theme has the general purpose of tying together all elements used by an author to tell a story or deliver a message. What Is a Central Idea and Why Is It Needed? At its most basic level, a central idea is what your entire piece is about. It should be something that you can…

Definition: A clincher sentence is a type of sentence used at the end of a final paragraph to reinforce your main idea and give your reader a sense of finality. What Is a Clincher Sentence and Why Is It Needed? A clincher sentence is a concluding sentence that reinforces your main idea to give your reader a sense of finality…

Are you struggling to keep your readers engaged? Do you find that people give up before they get to the meaty stuff on page fifty-nine? If this sounds familiar, maybe your work lacks tension and conflict. All great fiction needs both conflict and tension to drive the action — and…

In the first part of our exploration of conflict on the page, we explored how to place obstacles in a protagonist’s way — forcing them to demonstrate their mettle. We considered David Mamet’s suggestion that all great stories respond to the premise, “somebody wants something and has trouble getting it.”…

A man walks into a room, finds the files he wants, and strolls out. Done. Objective achieved. The character has an objective: tick. He has a strategy: tick. He completes it: tick. But his actions don’t really encourage those page turns. Why? The sequence lacks conflict. The character wants something…

Do you struggle to find a starting point for your novel? To write a great opening line that hooks reader? Do you find that you only really find your rhythm by the third chapter? Maybe you feel you’re starting your story at the wrong place? Many writers focus heavily on…

Anyone who writes for a living needs to develop a keen eye for detail. But, for many great writers, proofreading is their proverbial Achilles heel. …