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- Writing on Nov 29, 2008
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1. REPEATS Just about every writer unconsciously leans on a crutch word. 2. FLAT WRITING. He wanted to know but couldn't understand what she had to say, so he waited until she was ready to tell him before asking what she meant. Bob looked at the clock and wondered if he would have... more
Reviewed by yangul Feb 25 2009, 03:01pm ( 85 reviews ) • holtuncensored.com
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Rated by amateur6 on Aug 05, 8:11am
There's some truthful stuff in there, but Holt seems like a pompous ass.
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Rated by chummers on Jul 26, 10:12am
From the page: "I defer to People Magazine for larding its articles with empty adverbs. A recent issue refers to an â€oeincredibly popular, groundbreakingly racy sitcom.” Thatâ€s tough to say even when your lips arenâ€t moving."
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Reviewed by MissIdgie on Jul 20, 9:59pm
From the site - "If you say, "she was stunning and powerful," you're *telling* us. But if you say, "I was stunned by her elegant carriage as she strode past the jury - shoulders erect, elbows back, her eyes wide and watchful," you're *showing* us. The moment we can visualize the picture you're trying to paint, you're showing us, not telling us what we *should* see.." It reminds me of the scene in Auntie Mame in which Mame and Mr. O'Banion are editing the book. It's silly.
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Rated by ylais on Jun 10, 4:46pm
I was irritated by the writer's repetitive and unnecessary use of asteriks. Here is an example: "Compound sentences, most modifying clauses and many phrases *require* commas."
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Rated by educlaytion on Apr 18 2009, 9:24am
Great breakdown of how to avoid amateurish writing
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Rated by Anibas on Mar 20 2009, 8:32am
From the page: "Ten Mistakes Writers Don't See (But Can Easily Fix When They Do)"
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Reviewed by TheRareZilla on Mar 18 2009, 2:54am
Screw this, I make editors HAPPY by writing as badly as I do. Their life's blood lay within the satisfaction they get by pointing out my literary imperfections.
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Rated by gotpwr on Feb 27 2009, 3:29pm
Thats wy i cant write
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Rated by yangul on Feb 25 2009, 3:01pm
1. REPEATS Just about every writer unconsciously leans on a crutch word. 2. FLAT WRITING. He wanted to know but couldn't understand what she had to say, so he waited until she was ready to tell him before asking what she meant. Bob looked at the clock and wondered if he would have time to stop for gas before driving to school to pick up his son after band practice. 3 EMPTY ADVERBS. Actually, totally, absolutely, completely, continually, constantly, continuously, literally, really, unfortunately, ironically, incredibly, hopefully, finally - these and others are words that promise emphasis, but too often they do the reverse. 4. PHONY DIALOGUE. Be careful of using dialogue to advance the plot. Readers can tell when characters talk about things they already know, or when the speakers appear to be having a conversation for our benefit. You never want one character to imply or say to the other, Tell me again, Bruce: What are we doing next? 5 NO-GOOD SUFFIXES. Dont take a perfectly good word and give it a new backside so it functions as something else. The New York Times does this all the time. Instead of saying, as a director, she is meticulous, the reviewer will write, as a director, she is known for her meticulousness. Until she is known for her obtuseness. 6. THE TO BE WORDS.. Once your eye is attuned to the frequent use of the to be words - am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been and others - youll be appalled at how quickly they flatten prose and slow your pace to a crawl. 7 LISTS. She was entranced by the roses, hyacinths, impatiens, mums, carnations, pansies, irises, peonies, hollyhocks, daylillies, morning glories, larkspur Well, she may be entranced, but our eyes are glazing over. 8 .SHOW, DONT TELL. If you say, she was stunning and powerful, youre *telling* us. But if you say, I was stunned by her elegant carriage as she strode past the jury - shoulders erect, elbows back, her eyes wide and watchful, youre *showing* us. The moment we can visualize the picture youre trying to paint, youre showing us, not telling us what we *should* see... 9 . AWKWARD PHRASING. Mrs. Fletchers face pinkened slightly. Whoa. This is an author trying too hard. I sat down and ran a finger up the bottom of his foot, and he startled so dramatically . Egad, he startled? You mean he started? 10. COMMAS Compound sentences, most modifying clauses and many phrases *require* commas. You may find it necessary to break the rules from time to time, but you cant delete commas just because you dont like the pause they bring to a sentence or just because you want to add tension.
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Reviewed by MoshJosh on Feb 22 2009, 8:35am
Bitchy and mean, but valuable.
