: Re: How do I improve "beige" text? I have a tendency to write text that's on the "beige" side. I think it's the engineer in me that tends to write text that's very straightforward and strictly

Try going over your work paragraph by paragraph. It is you who sensed that it is "beige," indicating that you see a flaw there. Try some tricks: changing word order, finding more exciting verbs to replace dull familiar ones, and here's one to pay particular attention to: verbs!

Eliminate passive verbs (is, are, have been etc) and replace them with active ones (clamber, limp, saunter, strangle, etc). Use more verbs and fewer adjectives. Look at your subject in an analytical way and think about the most fascinating aspects of it. What interests you about it? Focus first on that. Also place prominent and fascinating things before dull details. If the details are fascinating then promote those over the fuller main point.

Also use suspense, even in everyday dull activity. Don't put all your cards on the table. Describe everything but one thing and then pop it on the reader later. I could make erasing chalk on a blackboard keep you on edge. (But that would be fiction. I don't know what type of writing you do.)

Not least, work harder. Rewrite until the thing makes you feel some electric charge from having written it. Try different ways. Even expository text can keep the reader engaged. Use more practical examples than mere telling of what to do. Stories and narratives however short always trump straight "go here and do this and you're done."

Hope this helps!

Load Full (0)

: Time frame of a traditional publisher, submitting to publishers, and need for an agent In general, how long does it take a traditional publisher to approve/disapprove your manuscript from the

@Moriarity138

Load Full 1 Comments

: Is 'temping' a culture-specific term? I have a character working in a short-term temporary position in an organisation and refer to her doing the work using the usual UK word, 'temping'. Will

@Moriarity138

Load Full 2 Comments

: How to write from a cat's perspective? I want to write a short story from the perspective of a cat who wants to kill a bird that extremely annoys her. Just like Tom is trying every time

@Moriarity138

Load Full 5 Comments

: Required Notices On Publishing A Public Domain Works I am in the process of editing works in the Public Domain. I want them to be as clean as possible, so they are more like works of art.

: Re: How do I improve "beige" text? I have a tendency to write text that's on the "beige" side. I think it's the engineer in me that tends to write text that's very straightforward and strictly

More posts by @Moriarity138

: Time frame of a traditional publisher, submitting to publishers, and need for an agent In general, how long does it take a traditional publisher to approve/disapprove your manuscript from the

: Is 'temping' a culture-specific term? I have a character working in a short-term temporary position in an organisation and refer to her doing the work using the usual UK word, 'temping'. Will

: How to write from a cat's perspective? I want to write a short story from the perspective of a cat who wants to kill a bird that extremely annoys her. Just like Tom is trying every time

: Required Notices On Publishing A Public Domain Works I am in the process of editing works in the Public Domain. I want them to be as clean as possible, so they are more like works of art.

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top