Do not put statements in the negative form.
And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
~ William Safire
There you have it. I have provided the wisdom you seek, and you now know the secrets of a perfect novel.
Wouldn't it be nice if that was all it took?
lol! That was classic. Definitely a lot of wisdom in there. Haha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThose are some of my favorite rules to break.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing it. Have a great day:)
ReplyDeleteAh, that is tooooo cute!!!
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I really love this! Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteI really love this! Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteWhoops. Sorry about the comment spam up there. =)
ReplyDeleteHa! :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, in my writing class it is all about rewrite, rewrite, rewrite...I've learned so much.
ReplyDeleteI've been busy, this will shift in the next two or three weeks.
Thanks for all your support and love!
Those reminders are PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteI'm printing them out and taking them to class RIGHT NOW!
Rewriting is the only way to go and lots of it.
ReplyDeleteGreat rules to live by or sometimes bend.
But I like starting sentences with conjunctions!
ReplyDeleteI do it when I want to punch up the sentence. "However" doesn't hit like "But." What can I say? I break rules.
Yes, that would be awesome if that's all it took! Thanks for the smile today. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! Nothing better than rules that break themselves in the telling!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to apply this in the editing prosess... process. ;o)
ReplyDeleteIs that all? Sheesh, why have I been doing all of this squirming and worming. hehe
ReplyDeleteAt least I know now. =) And tis all because of my sweet, wonderful pal Shannon. What would I do without ya? I'd be lost in a sea of conjunctions and adverbs and such. *grin*
I love all of my wonderful, commenting friends. I'm glad you are able to chuckle at today's post. As always, my main goal is to make you smile. :-)
ReplyDelete*laughs* this was fun!!! I think everyone wishes it was that easy... excellent wisdom for the week!
ReplyDeleteI start way too many sentences with conjunctions. I know it's wrong, but I just like to. It's a problem.
ReplyDeleteThis is clever and cute!
That was great. Made me laugh. And, I'd like to say, I enjoy starting sentences with conjunctions. I'm a rule breaker. Can't help it. It's in my blood!!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, Shannon :)
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! :-)
ReplyDeletedude this was awesome! You always find these great things about writing to share :)
ReplyDeleteHahaha! If only...
ReplyDeleteBut I have been accused of breaking some of these rules ;)
I'm copying that! :)
ReplyDeleteMr. Safire is right. But like him, I've been guilty of breaking everyone of these rules at one time or another. Love this!
ReplyDeleteI wish this was all that was required for a perfect novel!
Very clever!
ReplyDeleteLoved it! And I'm sure I've probably broken all of those at some point or another.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Safire had such a way with words! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHehe! I love the last line!
ReplyDeleteIt all comes clear now... :)
ReplyDeleteWell there you go! I can now complete that perfect novel, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shannon; you made my day. Actually, more like made my weekend, and I'll be using these theories in my revision confinement.
........dhole
I love your posts. If only all of the books on my writerly to-read books could be condensed down to a few lines like this, it'd sure save some time!
ReplyDelete:)
I have a pin that says "avoid cliches like the plague, they're a dime a dozen". It was a great conversation starter in grad school!
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWork from home India
Wow, that is great. I think I've seen this before, but it's been a long time. It says it so (un)clearly. :)
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