Welcome to Writer Tips

How do I write stories?

All good stories have three key aspects: idea, structure and imagination. Every story begins with an idea. Have a good idea? Then jot it down in a single sentence. The next step is to introduce a sctructure. This can be as simple as "beginning", "middle" and "end"; or as complex as you like (without it getting too muddled!). The structure is tough, but necessary, otherwise you might find your story trailing off or, even worse, leading you to a place you cannot get back from. I suggest creating a table of 3-5 parts, and you write short sentences in each asking yourself "what gets accomplished in this part?" Then, once your idea has order to it, let fly your imagination; using the structure as a simple reference guide to keep you steady and in the right direction!

I want to write epic fantasy!

Here's a tip: Everyone loves immersing themselves in a world, and escape reality, and a book is the fundamental way to do this. If you have created your own world, then write a tale set in it, but always remember your goal is to tell a story; not to inform the reader of the most minutae details of this world you have created. This is a common pitfall. If you let the physics of your world interfere with the story you are telling, then you have lost the reader. You need to engross them! Fantasy epics are full of thrilling adventures: Make sure your adventure gets priority over forcing your readers to acknowledge every detail of your own fantasy universe.

Should I kill off my characters?

Killing a character should always be a last resort. Why? Because the death of one character will have more impact, more emotion, more everything you could want in a story than the death of thousands. Even if you are writing gruesome horror; keep the death count down, as the fewer deaths there are, the more impact they have on the reader. (Plus if you keep many of your characters alive, it will keep the reader guessing who could snuff it right until the end!)

I have a lot of "he said"s and "she said"s in my writing. How do I combat this?

Writing with a lot of dialogue is certainly going to bring up the annoying repetition of the phrase "he/she/they/it said" but there are ways to avoid these pitfalls.
If there are only two characters speaking to each other, then you can dispense with the "he said"s by only putting it in the first lines of conversation. Providing they take it in turns to talk, your audience will be aware of who is talking at all times, and needn't be reminded who is talking. (Perhaps putting a "X said" every 5-10 exchanges would suffice)
Another was is to find synonyms for "said". But beware! If you put too many of these together your writing will look ridiculous and you will come off as pretentious. Several synonyms you could try are "he intoned" "she questioned" "Billy shrugged" "Joanna remarked" "Kevin shouted/yelled/screamed" "Helen moaned/wailed/sighed" A thesaurus is a useful tool for finding alternative words...but remember to limit this technique to as few times per dialogue as possible! And never repeat the same action on a single page. Trust me, if you read "Joanna shrugged" followed by "Billy shrugged", it will jolt you out of your engrossment of the book: Always a terrible error for any writer!

Can You Recognize A Molested Child?

How to tell if your child has been molested. Are there tell-tale signs? Is it in the eyes? The movements? Things s/he says or does? Pictures s/he draws? Are there ways to tell? What can you do if you suspect? What if the child you suspect is not your own? Who do you tell - or do you tell?

How to tail someone

How to tail someone without getting caught. How do local detectives do it? (For example, breaking a tail light on the victim´s car so it shines white ahead of you. You´ll be less likely to lose him if he gets too far ahead.) What other tricks of the trade are there? How to keep your brake lights or inside lights from coming on in the dark and giving you away.

Hot Air Balloons - making

What are hot air balloons made of? Are all baskets alike? What is the price of a hot air balloon? What´s the price of a hot air balloon that is especially made - such as the Energizer Bunny or the Burger King hamburger? How much are the handlers paid -- or are they volunteers? How far do the handlers travel each year? How many festivals to they attend? Who foots that bill?

Using Coupons

How using coupons can save you tons of money each month! How to collect them - where they´re found (newspapers, magazines, hand-outs, inserts, mail - just to give you a start). Filing systems used by shoppers in your area - how to use them before they expire. What to do with unexpired coupons you don´t use. (Donating to animal shelters, trading with friends, giving away).

Scanner policies

Are register scanners good for the customers? What you need to know when your items are scanned. What is the store policy if your item rings up wrong? Will they give you the product free or just change it to the correct price? Do you have to ask for it free, or do they do it automatically? If you buy 5 identical bars of soap and they each ring up wrong, do you get them all free? What if you have two items not related and they each ring up wrong? What does the store policy dictate? Does the amount of the purchase make a difference? (For instance, over or under $3.) Does the item itself make a difference? (For instance, alcohol or cigarettes.) Why do they make these differences? Do a comparison shopping chart of various stores and their scanner over-ring policies. If an item rings up wrong, does the store change it immediately or does the next customer pay the higher price, too - and maybe doesn´t notice. Is this a scanner or a scammer?

Using a false name

The use of a pseudonym -- and what purposes you´d have for one. Is it illegal to use a false name? Especially with the Internet where you can be anybody and are encouraged to use a fake name -- a screen name -- does this encourage crime? How does it differ (or does it)? from movie stars who have a legal name and a star name. How does Sandra Dee (Alexandra Zuck) sign her legal papers? How did Archibald Leach (Gregory Peck) sign his checks?

Double Coupons

What stores in your area offer double coupons? If there are none, why not? How do store managers feel about double coupons and how can they make money from this? What are the limitations of double coupons? What is the reasoning behind only allowing customers to double coupons up to 50 cents or up to 75 cents? Do any stores double the entire face of the coupon? What if the coupon itself says, "not subject to doubling". Will they double it anyway? Should this be the decision of the store? How do stores get repaid for those coupons? Can you buy a can of Del Monte and use a Green Giant coupon? Is that why they´re scanned in or does the scanner take it anyway? How many customers in your area use only a few coupons and how many (generally) use a handful. What are their average savings?

Snooping on your kids

Snooping in your kids´ rooms? Is it invasion of privacy or good judgment? Should you read a diary? Should you read papers and notes or listen to phone conversations? Do you feel you need to? Where does invasion of privacy and good parenting run into each other? Using a police scanner to eavesdrop on cordless phone calls.

Signs of sexual abuse

Sexual abuse and your teenager - signs or warnings of abuse. Can it be handled within the family or must you tell authorities? What will happen to the child and to the offender if it´s reported? How do you prove your suspicions? What to do if your child tells you he´s being abused? Where do you go from here? Do you just not believe the child or are you in denial? What happens if you´re wrong? What kind of proof do you need? What if you think a child other than your own is being abused? Who do you report it to and will you have to be brought into it?

Confiscated Items

Confiscated items at school - when, if ever, are they returned? What kinds of items get confiscated and why? What are the most popular items? What is the most unusual? If the items are not returned, what happens to them? How expensive are these items? Have there been any lawsuits over getting the items returned?

Hiding your own information

How can you protect yourself from having people find out things about you? What kinds of information have you already given out without realizing it? If you ran a check on yourself, what would you find? How can you run a check on yourself? Can you change anything you´ve found? Is the information correct? Is there a way to eliminate the information?

Can You Really Talk To The Dead?

Can you talk to the dead? How can you enhance your powers? How do you know if you have any powers? Can powers be created or are you just born with them? Do you need any special items to speak to the dead? Do Ouija boards work? Seances? Are these types of things needed or can you just sit in your living room and converse? How can you become a medium?

All About Birdwatching

What birds are available to watch in your area? What is the best kinds of foods to attract them? How can you create your own homemade recipes and what kinds of store-bought foods are available?