Writing with Marty, 101

Yes, aspiring writers, I have the key to being a successful writer. Change your name to 'JK' and write fantasy! haha

Just Kidding.

But seriously, by 'successful,' I mean, 'good, in my mind.' Like I'm the expert! Actually, I'm just writing this post because this topic came up with my favorite chap from across the pond ("But I'm the ONLY chap you know across the pond! Crikey!" he says). And in commenting to him, I realized that I could make a list of writing tips and things that I personally enjoy. This is not to say anyone should follow my tips. Because each person has their own style and likes, and dislikes.

Basically, this is a 'Things Marty Likes to Do When Writing' type of list.

1) Each chapter is like a short story. Outline the novel that way from the beginning, and it makes it easier to get chapters done. Of course, chapters, to me, are about 20 pages. I wanted to choke Dan Brown for those 2 page chapters in The Da Vinci Code.

2) Always open the novel with a really strong paragraph, which draws the reader in and also hints at a huge question that has to be answered.

3) Always end each chapter with a cliffhanger, so that readers want to get to the next chapter in a hurry.

4) Always include some humor, even in dramatic writing. Humor is always a good thing.

5) Do your research. Writing about North Carolina? Make sure your descriptions are accurate.

6) With dialogue, let the conversation take place in your head as you write. This is hard to describe. You're not schizo if you do this. You have to hear the characters, and they have to speak the way normal people do.

7) With love scenes/sex, write about what you like. You can write any type of sex scene this way, because we all like the same basic things when it comes to that. Or, we all like to read about the same types of things. If you don't fit the norm, get help. Get help now. You wierdo. haha JK

8) Literary devices such as similie, metaphor, and hypebole are AWESOME. Use these as much as possible. (This is just me. I love, love, love metaphor. It's my favorite.)

9) If you can tie your story to someone else's (i.e. myth and legend, literature, music), do so. There are only 20 original ideas out there, and every story is just a new take on those ideas. So I was told in college. So, acknowledge those great stories which came before. Mentioning those that came before is a nice tribute, I think.

10) When writing action-type scenes, remember the thousand films you've seen which have action scenes in them. Use the best examples as your template.

11) Don't write about real people, just changing the names. Let your characters come from someplace inside, and let them be characters that only exist on the page. Now, it's inevitable that you'll put yourself in a character. But try to let that part of yourself exist there, and not overshadow the new 'person' you have created.

12) If all else fails, write a lot of silly things like "Blimey!" and "Jehosaphat!"

haha

Those are just things I do. Maybe they're just for me.
But, maybe someone can use an idea for themselves also.

Have a great day!