Helpful Hints
Use Strong Verbs
To make your story stronger and more interesting, make sure you use STRONG verbs.
'She walked inside' could be stronger by changing walked to crept, wandered, rushed...
Use Rich Adjectives
Detail adds depth to your story and characters. Use plenty of describing words throughout your story to help the reader 'see' the story in their mind. But make sure you don't use too many at a time; one or two is plenty to describe a noun (person, place or thing).
Remember to use your sense when choosing adjectives.
How does the person/place/object:
LOOK
SMELL
SOUND
TASTE
FEEL
Use 'SAID'
Edit Your Work
For some useful writing tips, check out my Pinterest board 'Writing Tips For Kids'!
To make your story stronger and more interesting, make sure you use STRONG verbs.
'She walked inside' could be stronger by changing walked to crept, wandered, rushed...
Use Rich Adjectives
Detail adds depth to your story and characters. Use plenty of describing words throughout your story to help the reader 'see' the story in their mind. But make sure you don't use too many at a time; one or two is plenty to describe a noun (person, place or thing).
Remember to use your sense when choosing adjectives.
How does the person/place/object:
LOOK
SMELL
SOUND
TASTE
FEEL
Use 'SAID'
- Although you may learn many different ways to write 'said', it is often better to use this as your main dialogue tag instead of lots of other ones.
Example: replied, exclaimed, retorted, responded, shouted, etc. Here and there, it is fine to use one, but not at the end of every dialogue sentence! - You don't need to write 'said' every single time someone talks. If it is obvious who is talking, just leave it with the dialogue.
- Don't forget you can write a character's gesture after they have spoken instead of writing 'said'. This breaks up using 'said' everywhere.
Example:
"Smells like fire," said Jerry.
"Smells like fire." Jerry sniffed the air.
Example:
"I love you," Dad said.
Dad smiled. "I love you."
Edit Your Work
- Check for character consistency - do they act and speak in a way that seems real for them?
- Are there any gaps in the plot where it doesn't make sense?
- Look for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
- Have you used STRONG verbs? Find all the verbs and try to make them stronger.
- Have you included RICH adjectives? Find all the adjectives and check you've included the five senses. Make sure there are lots of descriptive words but don't overdo it! Only some nouns needs an adjective.
- Read your story ALOUD to check it makes sense and flows easily. Then ask someone else to read it aloud so you can hear it and listen to the way it sounds.
For some useful writing tips, check out my Pinterest board 'Writing Tips For Kids'!