Things I learned in my critique groups…that I hardly ever do.

1. Editors love white space. Short concise sentences, short to the point paragraphs.
   I love run-on sentences, with lots of similes, adjectives, and description. I love a lyrical, paragraph crafted like a Renaissance painting. So I have been told the above rule a hundred or so times. Critique partners love me cause I give them so much to do!




2. Adverbs are evil. Use them sparingly. See-I just used one anyway. HA! Take THAT!




3. Adjectives are against the law. See first rule.




4. Don’t overwrite dialog. Share your story with the reader; don’t write step by step directions for actors. I attempt to follow this one.




5. Use fragmented sentences for fast action. That means even shorter sentences than usual. Gee, can’t a writer get a break here? Did anyone tell Jane Austin any of this?




6. Use one point of view, not an omniscient view, and leave a line break between pov changes.




7. Eliminate useless words.




8. If the back-story isn’t a part of the main story, start your story sooner, or revise. Limit back story. Never, never use Moby Dick as a guide to when and where to put your back story.




9. Write the whole story before revising anything. Or, like me, you will spend all your time revising and never actually finish your story.




10. Someone else is going to get published by breaking every stinking rule, but it won’t be you.