Sentences and Paragraphs

1. Begin sentences with your subject(s) and verb(s). Let the other subordinate elements branch off from there.
2. Use verbs in their strongest form, meaning the simple present or past tense. Use past perfect sparingly.
3. Beware of the adverb. Often they simply dilute the verb, or repeat it. Example: "The building was completely destroyed."
4. Place your strongest words at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs, and at the end. Because the period acts like the stop sign, the word next to the period plays jazz.

Language

1. Observe word territory. Basically, unless you are going for a specific effect, don’t repeat key words in a given space.
2. Have fun with words, even in serious stories. Make word lists, do some free association. Be surprised by the language you are using.
3. Go for the specific. Give your reader the name of the dog and the brand of the drink. These kinds of details really help a reader to see the story.
4. Always seek for original images. Avoid cliches, especially in narrative.
5. Use the simple in favor of the technical. Use shorter words and paragraphs at the points of the greatest complexity in the story.
6. When writing, any kind of writing, go for the mythic, the symbolic and the poetic. After all, even journalism has its roots in basic storytelling.

Effects

1. Slow the pace of information. Create clarity by using shorter sentences. They make the reader move more slowly. Time to read. Time to think. See?
2. Vary your sentence length. This helps control the pace of the story. Long sentences will carry a reader down a stream of understanding called "steady advance."
3. Go back to grade school. "Show and Tell." Begin at the bottom of the ladder of details, with bloody knives and wedding rings and baseball cards. Then, work your way to the top to summarize and analyze. This helps to discover meaning in the world’s random details.
4. Don’t tell the reader what your characters are like. Show them. Reveal telling character traits through action. Don’t say "enthusiastic," but create scenes where the character reveals those characteristics.
5. Strive for "voice." This is the illusion that the writer is speaking directly to the reader. Also, read the story aloud to see if it really sounds like you.

Structure

1. Always take advantage of narrative opportunities. After all, you want to write stories, not articles. Think in terms of action, conflict, motivation, setting, dialogue and chronology.
2. When you write, leave a trail of bread crumbs. In other words, don’t put all your best stuff in the beginning. Space the “special effects” throughout the story, encouraging readers to find them and be delighted. Readers like to discover things for themselves.
3. Repeat key words or images to link the story. But remember, repetition only works if you intend it.
4. In storytelling, three is always the magic number. Four is too many, and two is not enough.
5. Always write endings that create closure. Some unanswered questions are okay, even desirable. But even in writing intended to have sequels, there has to be closure.