From the excellent book Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer (2006) by Roy Peter Clark:

• Begin sentences with subjects and verbs.

Make meaning early, then let weaker elements branch to the right.

* Order words for emphasis.

Place strong words at the beginning and at the end.

* Activate your verbs.

Strong verbs create action, save words, and reveal the players.

* Be passive-aggressive.

Use passive verbs to showcase the "victim" of action.

* Watch those adverbs.

Use them to change the meaning of the verb.

* Take it easy on the -ings.

Prefer the simple present or past.

* Fear not the long sentence.

Take the reader on a journey of language and meaning.

* Establish a pattern, then give it a twist.

Build parallel constructions, but cut across the grain.

* Let punctuation control pace and space.

Learn the rules, but realize you have more options than you think.

* Cut big, then small.

Prune the big limbs, then shake out the dead leaves.

* Prefer the simple over the technical.

Use shorter words, sentences and paragraphs at points of complexity.

* Give key words their space.

Do not repeat a distinctive word unless you intend a specific effect.

* Play with words, even in serious stories.

Choose words the average writer avoids but the average reader understands.

* Get the name of the dog.

Dig for the concrete and specific, details that appeal to the senses.

* Pay attention to names.

Interesting names attract the writer — and the reader.

* Seek original images.

Reject clichés and first-level creativity.

* Riff on the creative language of others.

Make word lists, free-associate, be surprised by language.

* Set the pace with sentence length.

Vary sentences to influence the reader's speed.

* Vary the lengths of paragraphs.

Go short or long — or make a "turn" — to match your intent.

* Choose the number of elements with a purpose in mind.

One, two, three, or four: Each sends a secret message to the reader.

* Know when to back off and when to show off.

When the topic is most serious, understate; when least serious, exaggerate.

* Climb up and down the ladder of abstraction.

Learn when to show, when to tell, and when to do both.

* Tune your voice.

Read drafts aloud.

* Work from a plan.

Index the big parts of your work.

* Learn the difference between reports and stories.

Use one to render information, the other to render experience.

* Use dialogue as a form of action.

Dialogue advances narrative; quotes delay it.

* Reveal traits of character.

Show characteristics through scenes, details, and dialogue.

* Put odd and interesting things next to each other.

Help the reader learn from contrast.

* Foreshadow dramatic events or powerful conclusions.

Plant important clues early.

* To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers.

To propel readers, make them wait.

* Build your work around a key question.

Good stories need an engine, a question the action answers for the reader.

* Place gold coins along the path.

Reward the reader with high points, especially in the middle.

* Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Purposeful repetition links the parts.

* Write from different cinematic angles.

Turn your notebook into a "camera."

* Report and write for scenes.

Then align them in a meaningful sequence.

* Mix narrative modes.

Combine story forms using the "broken line."

* In short pieces of writing, don't waste a syllable.

Shape shorter works with wit and polish.

* Prefer archetypes to stereotypes.

Use subtle symbols, not crashing cymbals.

* Write toward an ending.

Help readers close the circle of meaning.

* Draft a mission statement for your work.

To sharpen your learning, write about your writing.

* Turn procrastination into rehearsal.

Plan and write it first in your head.

* Do your homework well in advance.

Prepare for the expected — and unexpected.

* Read for both form and content.

Examine the machinery beneath the text.

* Save string.

For big projects, save scraps others would toss.

* Break long projects into parts.

Then assemble the pieces into something whole.

* Take interest in all crafts that support your work.

To do your best, help others do their best.

* Recruit your own support group.

Create a corps of helpers for feedback.

* Limit self-criticism in early drafts.

Turn it loose during revision.

* Learn from your critics.

Tolerate even unreasonable criticism.

* Own the tools of your craft.

Build a writing workbench to store your tools.

(cf Write Many Read Once (1999-11-25), How to Write (2000-11-28), Writing Rewards (2001-06-09), Smell of Good Prose (2006-07-03), Asimov on Writing (2008-02-02), Pulp Fiction Rules (2008-10-20), Rules for Writing (2010-03-07), Worth Writing Well (2016-08-17), Tips for Aspiring Op-Ed Writers (2017-11-18), Writing vs Good Writing (2018-01-21), ...) - ^z - 2019-12-29