Writing Better Sentences

[RedMage]

I came across this YouTube video from Ellen Brock on 12 Ways to Write Better Sentences for Creative Writers. Brock is a freelance editor who's been working since 2011 and regularly posts vids to her YouTube channel on writing, editing, etc.

Her suggestions, as listed in the vid's description are below. Though the list is easy to access, I suggest watching the vid itself as Brock discusses each, defining and providing examples of the problem, as well as possible solutions.

Do you recognize any of the problems from your writing? I definitely struggle with 7! 3 and 4 were problems for me and I still find myself falling into bad habits with them. And when I send my stories out for critique, I'm always asking for help with 12.

1. Avoid confusingly complex sentences
2. Set the Tone with word choices
3. Avoid passive voice
4. Remove Filtering
5. Set the pace with sentence length
6. Avoid body parts taking action
7. Reduce "was -ing" construction
8. Keep the wording natural
9. Cut unnecessary similes
10. Use vocabulary level strategically
11. Avoid starting actions
12. Cut out unnecessary words

 

[Stanley Steamboy]

"The sea was angry that day: Like an old man trying to return soup at a deli."