I went here, I saw this, I did that. Too many ‘I’s can make your narrative all about you, which makes for a dull narrative akin to a report from Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
Tag Archives: Writing resources
Can I use brand names in my story?
Can I use brand names in my story? The short answer is yes, but be careful about how you use those brands.
When do you capitalise “mum” and “dad”?
“Mum” can be used as a title or as a common noun. When it’s used as a title, it’s capitalised. When it’s used as a common noun, it’s lower case.
Can I use song lyrics in my story?
Song lyrics can give a scene a particular mood or evoke a particular memory or time. They can set the tone when used as a quote at the start of a chapter. But song lyrics are copyrighted, raising the question: can you use them in your book?
How to write (great) sex scenes
Picture the scene: your characters have been pining over each other for months and they’ve finally had their first kiss. They’re ready for more. They want to, no, need to have sex, right now.
How to use apostrophes
In this article I will show you how to use apostrophes to indicate missing letters and possession, and how they are used with years, time, Māori words, and abbreviations.
How to punctuate dialogue
Using the right punctuation in dialogue helps your readers enjoy your story without getting distracted. Good punctuation naturally guides readers, letting them focus on what people said.
What are style guides and style sheets? (And do I need one?)
Style guides are tools editors use to help ensure consistency throughout your novel, thesis, or document.
Style sheets are tailored to a specific project. They condense the most important parts of a style guide into a user friendly document.
Great books about writing and self-editing
My favourite books about writing and self-editing
Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 