Writing advice: Tilted over Inclinations by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
Writing advice: Tilted over Inclinations
"And that," I concluded, "is how I can unify the North."
The Emperor sat silent for long, long moments, until a smile spread across his grave face.
Something in my guts unclenched.
He pointed his sceptre at me. "Go now, Lady Felix. Be my Hand and My Voice, and bring these rebels to heel."
I inclined my head. "At once, and by your command. sire.' I rose — slowly, my knees aren't as young as they used to be — and —
The Emperor held up his hand. I froze. He said, "Hold.''
"Sire?"
"What...what was that?"
Something in my guts unclenched. "I...I said-"
"Not what you said." He leaned forward. His smile was gone, and his brow furrowed. "Your narration."
Huh?
"You 'inclined your head', correct?"
"Yes, sire."
"Which direction, milady?"
"I beg your pardon, sire?"
"There are four usual directions one normally 'inclines' one's head. We shall disregard diagonals, for the nonce."
He held up a finger, imperiously. "Forward."
Another finger. "Back."
The last two. "Left and
WRITING TIPS How not to use 'idly' and 'absently'. by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
WRITING TIPS How not to use 'idly' and 'absently'.
A lot of writers - including me - misuse the words "idly" and "absently". Don't be one of them.
Absently
"Absently" means "not paying attention". Lots of people use it to tell the reader that someone is not paying attention.
"What's wrong with that?" you say.
It's lazy. It's telling, not showing. It means you don't have to describe what's going on. You're going "They're not paying attention! Take my word for it!"
Lady Sybil: I'll tell Willikins to pack winter clothes. It'll be pretty cold up there at this time of year.
Sam Vimes: Yes. That's a good idea.
Lady Sybil: We'll have to host a party ourselves, I expect, so we ought to take a cartload of typical Ankh-Morpork food. Show the flag, you know. Do you think I should take a cook along?
Sam Vimes: Yes dear. That would be a good idea. No one outside the city knows how to make a knuckle sandwich properly.
Lady Sybil: Do you think we ought to take the alligator with us?
Sam Vimes: Yes, that might be advisable.... What alligator?
In
WRITING ADVICE Feel Feeling Feels by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
WRITING ADVICE Feel Feeling Feels
Pop quiz, rhetorical substitute for the reader; why do you think feelings are called "feelings"? I dunno. Why? Because you feel them. Yeah, I kinda figured. No - I mean you physically feel them. How did you feel the last time you were upset? Upset. Ha-ha. You know what I mean. ...Sick? Like I ate bad food, or something. Good. How about angry. Hot. I wanted to break something. Someone. Where was the heat? Mostly in my neck and face. Ever hear about someone going red when they got angry? Or seen a picture or drawing of it? Yeah, of course I have-wait, that's what the hot feeling is? Yep. Blame it on a rush of blood to the head.Now, the nex...
NANOWRIMO WRITING ADVICE: As the Word Turns by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
NANOWRIMO WRITING ADVICE: As the Word Turns
A lot of people use "X verbed as Y happened" wrong, in my opinion. Y happened is usually happening first, so it should be at the start of the sentence. But it's usually shoved to the second clause.If you think about doing this, try changing it to "As Y happened, X verbed." or It's especially a good idea when X's verbing is a reaction to whatever Y is doing."Well, we know that cry for help came from somewhere in here," my partner mused as he lowered his .38."We need to thoroughly investigate. Just in case," I agreed as I followed his reasoning.Okay, the justification was a little shaky, but I was pretty sure the ADA would look the other w...
WRITING ADVICE 'Veritable' is literally terrible by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
WRITING ADVICE 'Veritable' is literally terrible
Glancing behind my raptor, I saw yet another Titan, as well as a veritable tidal wave of Y'dldihay fliers rapidly approach us, apparently recognizing the threat we represented.There's a lot of words nobody uses but writers.And sometimes, characters who are supposed to be normal people.Your readers might not even consciously notice, but on some level, they'll know something is off.So, when was the last time you heard someone in real life use " veritable "? Not exactly common, is it?You know how some people use " literally " to mean " figuratively "? Veritable is used in the exact same way. For emphasis. And also, wrong.Or it would be wr...
Writing advice: Tilted over Inclinations by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
Writing advice: Tilted over Inclinations
"And that," I concluded, "is how I can unify the North."
The Emperor sat silent for long, long moments, until a smile spread across his grave face.
Something in my guts unclenched.
He pointed his sceptre at me. "Go now, Lady Felix. Be my Hand and My Voice, and bring these rebels to heel."
I inclined my head. "At once, and by your command. sire.' I rose — slowly, my knees aren't as young as they used to be — and —
The Emperor held up his hand. I froze. He said, "Hold.''
"Sire?"
"What...what was that?"
Something in my guts unclenched. "I...I said-"
"Not what you said." He leaned forward. His smile was gone, and his brow furrowed. "Your narration."
Huh?
"You 'inclined your head', correct?"
"Yes, sire."
"Which direction, milady?"
"I beg your pardon, sire?"
"There are four usual directions one normally 'inclines' one's head. We shall disregard diagonals, for the nonce."
He held up a finger, imperiously. "Forward."
Another finger. "Back."
The last two. "Left and
WRITING TIPS How not to use 'idly' and 'absently'. by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
WRITING TIPS How not to use 'idly' and 'absently'.
A lot of writers - including me - misuse the words "idly" and "absently". Don't be one of them.
Absently
"Absently" means "not paying attention". Lots of people use it to tell the reader that someone is not paying attention.
"What's wrong with that?" you say.
It's lazy. It's telling, not showing. It means you don't have to describe what's going on. You're going "They're not paying attention! Take my word for it!"
Lady Sybil: I'll tell Willikins to pack winter clothes. It'll be pretty cold up there at this time of year.
Sam Vimes: Yes. That's a good idea.
Lady Sybil: We'll have to host a party ourselves, I expect, so we ought to take a cartload of typical Ankh-Morpork food. Show the flag, you know. Do you think I should take a cook along?
Sam Vimes: Yes dear. That would be a good idea. No one outside the city knows how to make a knuckle sandwich properly.
Lady Sybil: Do you think we ought to take the alligator with us?
Sam Vimes: Yes, that might be advisable.... What alligator?
In
WRITING ADVICE Feel Feeling Feels by Jon-Wood, literature
Literature
WRITING ADVICE Feel Feeling Feels
Pop quiz, rhetorical substitute for the reader; why do you think feelings are called "feelings"? I dunno. Why? Because you feel them. Yeah, I kinda figured. No - I mean you physically feel them. How did you feel the last time you were upset? Upset. Ha-ha. You know what I mean. ...Sick? Like I ate bad food, or something. Good. How about angry. Hot. I wanted to break something. Someone. Where was the heat? Mostly in my neck and face. Ever hear about someone going red when they got angry? Or seen a picture or drawing of it? Yeah, of course I have-wait, that's what the hot feeling is? Yep. Blame it on a rush of blood to the head.Now, the nex...