Pen Dames Pointers! Tips to Jazz Up Your Writing 2023-7-1

 

A passion of Pen Dames is to help other writers by sharing tips and insights we have learned along the way. We hope you will find the pointers beneficial to your writing process.

Barbara Cairns

Do you like writing historical fiction?

World building makes a historical fiction book more authentic and gives readers a reason to keep reading. Include details about daily life in the time period you’re writing about. Use only historical information that will advance your story, including places, people and events.

Jennifer Taylor

Don't wait on "the Muse." The inspiration will only appear when you sit down and start writing. Give it a try!

Flossie Benton Rogers

Use the five senses to liven your prose: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Let the reader see how your point of view character experiences the world. It not only gives the reader external information but also provides insight into your character’s emotions and internal landscape. If she walks into an antique store, does she quickly scan for an impression of the whole and conclude it’s cramped, dusty, and cluttered with old furniture? Or do her eyes light on a coveted red velvet Victorian loveseat that only needs a brisk cleaning? When she arrives for a class reunion, does she hear the excited murmuring of old friends, a cacophony of voices, or zone in on the strident tones of her archrival? 

Some writers like to demonstrate all five senses at some point during every scene. Although you don’t have to go that far, do make sure to use a variety of sensory impressions. It will go a long way in keeping your reader interested in what’s happening, involved with your characters, and immersed in your story.

Loretta C. Rogers

Keys to Great Characterization

1. Create characters that you fall in love with.

2. Make sure your hero and heroine react sensibly and heroically to outside events.

3. Make your characters strong, but give them a few flaws to make them interesting.

4. Give your characters goals to strive for.

5. Avoid stereotypes by understanding what motivates each character.

Katherine Eddinger Smits

Write what you love! Write the books you want to read about, the characters you want to live with and through. It doesn't matter if they are sexy, young singles, mature adults with fascinating lives in spite of or because of their age, or mermaids, witches, and other fantastic creatures in fantasy worlds. If you love them, they will jump off the page and into your readers' hearts. 

Don't chase market trends. They move too fast to catch, but like a brightly lit carousel, they come around again in time, and what was passé yesterday will be tomorrow's hottest genre.

Write what you love. Write your passion and your vision. Your words are your legacy to the world. Write the ones that bring you joy.

Did these suggestions resonate with you? Let us know, and also let us know of any writing questions that you have and topics you’d like us to cover in these Pointers.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy writing! Cheers from the Pen Dames.