Rules of Thumb - Part Two

1. "Make sure your characters' names start with different letters.  Readers skim and tend to identify a character with the first letter in the name - five characters with names starting with K leads to confusion."

2. "If you the writer fall in love with your hero, it's a sure bet your reader will, too."

3. "To create a believable antagonist, remember this: Villains don't see themselves as evil, merely misunderstood."

4. "Never have someone else do your research.  Errors will creep in and you will be blamed."

5. "To give your writing more punch, go through what you have written and eliminate these words: very, almost, quite, just, sort of, fairly, nearly, slightly, somewhat.  These are weak words."

6. "When you submit a manuscript to an agent or an editor, and you haven't heard back after eight weeks, it's okay to send a follow-up inquiry.  Sooner than that is too pushy, later means they've forgotten you."

7. "To get an honest critique of your writing, give it to someone impartial.  Loved ones will praise even your grocery list."

8. "Never submit a manuscript on colored paper, or with fancy fonts and decorations.  These signal that you are not confident your writing can speak for itself."

9. "Never, EVER, say to an editor or an agent: "Honestly, it gets better."  They don't care.  If it isn't good right off the bat, they won't stick with it."

10. "If you interview your characters before you start writing, you will know ahead of time what the story is about."

11. "A complicated, tortured character is more interesting than the character who is at peace with himself and the world."

12. "If the reader is turning the pages out of obligation instead of enthusiasm, you haven't written a good story."

13. "To make your hero big, give him a big villain."

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