Los Angeles
CHANGE MY LOCATION
Guy Incognito
Writing ExaminerAuthor of over 12 novels and countless short stories and poems, Guy Incognito knows what it takes to create engaging characters, believable worlds, and success in writing.
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the Writing Examiner as useful resources.National Examiners
Tony DeMarco
Baseball Examiner
Most Recent Post
Manny Ramirez and Dodgers make a statement in NL West
Baseball Examiner
Most Recent Post
Manny Ramirez and Dodgers make a statement in NL West
Angele Sionna
Early Childhood Parenting Examiner
Most Recent Post
Forget Obama, Biden, McCain & Palin - Here's a vote the kids can take part in - Name a baby elephant
Early Childhood Parenting Examiner
Most Recent Post
Forget Obama, Biden, McCain & Palin - Here's a vote the kids can take part in - Name a baby elephant
Auction Wally
Auctions and Antiques Examiner
Most Recent Post
Review of Mothballs the antiques comedy film premier in Brimfield MA
Auctions and Antiques Examiner
Most Recent Post
Review of Mothballs the antiques comedy film premier in Brimfield MA
Writing Examiner
Elmore Leonard's Rules For Writing: Rules #5-7
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
.gif)
The next three "rules" help keep your writing clean and effective. I'm not a fan of using the word "never" when talking about an artistic craft, because it assumes that there's no possible way to do something.5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
This is good advice. Exclamation points should be shocking to the reader. Overuse dilutes their effect.
6. Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”
I would amend this to say "avoid obvious cliches". They don't add anything new to your writing and people's eyes generally skip them. That being said, a word like "suddenly" can be useful, just don't use it for everything.
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
This is decent advice. You can simply say that a character speaks a certain way, but forcing the reader to figure out what someone is trying to say can be akin to torture.
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Self-Editing , Elmore Leonard
More from Writing Examiner
Writing the first novel in a series
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
It can be difficult to get to 3 if 1 is flawed. SourceWriting a novel is one thing. But if you're planning on continuing your plot and character development into further installments, there are some things you have to take into account. Writing... Read More
Topics: Writing , Novel , Self-Editing , Authorship , Creativity
First-timers up for the Man Booker prize!
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
Several first-time authors were on the list for the Man Booker prize! This is great since it gives even us first-timers a chance at achievement in the literary field on our first go.Five first novels are in the running for this year's Man Booker prize,... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Publishing , Tom Rob Smith , Child 44 , Man Booker Prize
Tales of Beedle the Bard: J.K. Rowling shows us the glory of ancillary writing
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
If you've not yet been made aware, Amazon.com will soon be releasing The Tales of Beedle the Bard on December 4th, 2008. For those of you who are Harry Potter fans, this is indeed a joyous event.For those of you who couldn't care less, here's why... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Authorship , Creativity , Publishing , Kids , Children and Writing , Tales of Beedle the Bard
Handling rejection part 2: what not to do
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
In my last post I discussed using the natural hurt and anger writers are likely to feel upon rejection to their advantage.This might seem like an odd sentiment, but it makes more sense when you consider the alternatives. Other than anger, the other most... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Creativity , Publishing , Editors , rejection
Handling rejection part 1: the anger method
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
It's at once the most painful and expected moments in one's writing career. After spending countless hours on your writing, after having your friends and family read it (or at least look it over), you decide to send it off for publication.And then, six... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Authorship , Publishing , rejection
Setting your manuscript free
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
This is among the first questions I receive from other first time authors:
"When do I know when it's time to start sending my manuscript off for publication? How do I know when it's really finished?"
I've met first-timers who have been... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Self-Editing , Authorship , Control , Creativity , Publishing
Interview with Author Stephanie Kuehnert
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
Recently our Chicago Literary Scene Examienr had a chance to interview Stephanie Kuehnert, author of I Wanna Be your Joey Ramone.Check out their interactive interviewThis is interesting not only because the readers picked the questions, but also because... Read More
Working With Editors: A Necessary Evil
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
Ok, to be fair, editors as a group are not evil. But their influence can feel oppressive to writers who've just poured their hearts and souls into their work.So first thing to keep in mind when someone has just eviscerated your manuscript is that you... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Novel , Authorship , Control , Creativity , Publishing , Editors
So You Think Your Kid Can Write?
Guy Incognito - Writing Examiner
Probably second only to "Have you been published?", the most frequent comment is receive is "My child seems to be interested in making up stories/writing fairytales etc. How do I encourage this?"Well, first thing's first. Talk to... Read More
Topics: Writing , Author , Creativity , Kids , Children and Writing
